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An Ottawa River Flood Plain information sheet has been prepared to provide a summary of the various policies and provisions in the Township Official Plan and Zoning By-law as they relate to development along the Ottawa River and in particular related to the flood plain. Additional information and alternate formats are also available by contacting the Township Planning Department
The elevations to guide new development along the Ottawa River were provided through the Flood Damage Reduction Program (FDRP). A copy of the report is available from the Township Office upon request.
There are also a variety of stakeholders involved with the Ottawa River.
Download the Ottawa River Flood Plain Information Sheet
Ottawa River Regulation Planning Board (ORRPB)
The Ottawa River Regulation Planning Board was established in 1983 by the governments of Canada, Quebec, and Ontario to ensure integrated management of the principal reservoirs of the Ottawa River Basin. The goal of this integrated management is to minimize the impacts of floods and droughts along the Ottawa River and its tributaries, particularly in the Montreal Region, while maintaining the beneficial water uses such as hydro-electric energy production and preserving statutory or environmental levels and discharges in respect of other interests.
The Planning Board also ensures that relevant hydrological information, for example forecasts of river flows and levels along the Ottawa River, is made available to the public and government organizations. For more information see the ORRPB website.
Information on Ontario Power Generation (OPG) operations on the Ottawa River can be found on their website.
As there is no Conservation Authority in the stretches of the Ottawa River through Renfrew County, the Ministry of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry (NDMNRF) plays a greater role along with local municipalities in the implementation of flood plain regulations. Additional information on local conditions is available from the NDMNRF surface water monitoring centre website.
Spring Freshet Updates/ Flood Warnings
April 24, 2025 - Watershed Conditions Statement - Water Safety Pembroke District |
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The Ministry of Natural Resources – Pembroke District is advising area residents that a Watershed Conditions Statement - Water Safety is in effect throughout the district until Friday, May 2, 2025 Residents in Renfrew County / Pembroke District should consider the following: Recent warm weather has resulted in the melting of the snowpack and lake ice. This combined with forecasted precipitation and continued warm temperatures, will result in high water conditions as the freshet runoff moves through the system. Residents in flood-prone areas are encouraged to closely follow changing conditions and to take necessary measures. Residents are advised to stay away from watercourses where flows are high and where banks might be unstable. Lower-lying portions of known flood-prone areas may be impacted to various degrees as lake/river levels rise over the next week. Areas around Lac Coulonge and Chats Lake along the Ottawa River should take additional precautions as water levels in that area are expected to rise over the next few days. MNR also advises caution when using forest access roads for outdoor activities as they may become seasonally inundated with water, are prone to washouts and may become impassible due to localized flooding. The ministry is closely monitoring the weather and developing watershed conditions. Further updates will be issued as appropriate. TECHNICAL INFORMATION Description of Weather System The forecast shows Daily high temperatures around ten degrees and night time lows close to the freezing mark. Varying levels of precipitation may be seen across the district. Description of Current Conditions The MNR continues to closely monitor local lakes, rivers and weather conditions. Rainfall and warming temperatures have resulted in a significant reduction in the snowpack across the county. Forecasted precipitation has the potential to further reduce the snowpack and ice on lakes and rivers. Lakes and Rivers in the area are still at or below seasonal levels. Lake levels and flows in creeks and rivers will slowly rise as a result of the warm weather and forecasted rains. Water may accumulate in low lying areas that are prone to flooding or areas with poor drainage. Water levels are not expected to reach flood thresholds. A close watch on local forecasts and conditions is recommended. DEFINITIONS
LEARN MORE Surface Water Monitoring Centre public webpage www.ontario.ca/page/surface-water-monitoring-centre
Aaron Foss, Pembroke District Supervisor, 613-291-3613 Disponible en francais
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April 24, 2025 - Watershed Conditions Statement - Flood Warning Pembroke District - Ottawa River |
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The Ministry of Natural Resources – Pembroke District is advising area residents that a Flood Warning is in effect for areas along the Ottawa River most noticeably from Pembroke to Britannia. until Friday May 2nd, 2025 (if not updated/replaced). Recent rainfall combined with warmer temperatures has melted most of the remaining snow locally. Remnants of the snowpack though the northern portion of the Ottawa river watershed are expected to continue to melt sustaining elevated levels and flows. This combined effect is causing the water levels and flows of the Ottawa River to rise. Residents along the main stem of the Ottawa River, for the area of Lac Coulonge (near Westmeath) and downstream to Arnprior should consider the following: Accounting for the combined effect of the rapid snowmelt and the forecasted rain event, it is anticipated that these areas will exceed the flooding threshold along the Ottawa River at Lake Coulonge, and areas downstream (Chats Lake, and Lake Deschenes), as early as Friday April 2025. However, the maximum levels to be reached this week will be well below the historical high of 2019. Residents that have been affected by high water and flow conditions in the past, should take necessary precautions to protect/secure any vulnerable property in proximity to rivers and lakes and closely monitor developing conditions and regularly check for updated messages. Residents and visitors should exercise caution while around waterbodies and maintain close supervision of children and pets. The ministry is closely monitoring the weather and developing watershed conditions, further updates will be issued as appropriate. TECHNICAL INFORMATION Description of Weather System A low-pressure system is forecast to move into the area Friday. Rainfall and warm temperatures, associated with Friday's system is forecast to bring 10 to 25 mm of rain across Southern Ontario. An additional 5 to 10 mm of rain may occur due to thunderstorms today, and again tomorrow, across southern Ontario south of Parry Sound, Algonquin Park, and Pembroke. Description of Current Conditions The MNR continues to closely monitor local lakes, rivers and weather conditions. Levels and flows are expected to increase due to forecasted precipitation events and spring runoff from the central and northern parts of the Ottawa River basin. Levels are expected to rise over the next few days in all locations. Flooding in low-lying areas is expected, and those areas currently experiencing high water levels or flooding can expect these conditions to continue. A close watch of local weather forecasts, special weather statements, and warnings is recommended. The watershed Condition Statement – Water Safety for the remainder of Renfrew County remains in effect until April 25, 2025. DEFINITIONS
LEARN MORE Surface Water Monitoring Centre public webpage www.ontario.ca/page/surface-water-monitoring-centre
Aaron Foss, Pembroke District Supervisor, 613-291-3613 Disponible en francais
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Sandbags
To request sandbags and sand or to report an issue regarding flooding, please call the Township Office at 613-735-6291 between 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. from Monday to Friday, or if you have an emergency need for empty sandbags after hours or on weekends or holidays contact the Township after- hours emergency number at 613-735-6070 or 1-855-539-7611.
** Updated April 26th 2025. Township residents/ property owners concerned about flooding who are wanting to proactively undertake sandbagging of their property may fill up sandbags at George Matheson Park.
For more information, please contact:
Mark Behm, Public Works Manager, Township of Laurentian Valley
613-735-6291 ext. 216; or
Kendryck Trgovcevic, Public Works Administrative Assistant
Township of Laurentian Valley 613-735-6291 ext. 209
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