Water levels along the Ottawa River are stabilizing as communities prepare for the next update on potential flooding.
The Ottawa River Regulation Planning Board is expected to release the latest update on the spring freshet following a meeting with affected municipalities on Thursday morning, which will help guide local efforts to protect residents and homes from the increased flows being felt in Fort Colounge, Whitewater Region, Pembroke, Horton, McNab-Braeside, and Arnprior.
Their previous report suggests that water levels are expected to stay steady or slowly decrease over the next two weeks, although there is still a risk of increased levels between Mattawa and Fort Colounge in late April and early May given the high snowpack remaining in the northern part of the basin.
Water levels in the area hit their first peak earlier this week, and estimates remain close to peak levels reached in early May 2023.
Daily forecasts are available on the Ottawa River Regulation Planning Board website, and townships along the river are urging residents to report flooding so they can better deploy sandbags and other preventative measures.
(written by Kasey Egan)
