LESS RISK OF SPRING FLOODS THIS YEAR

Spring rains this year may not mean a repeat of last year’s spring flooding problems along the Ottawa River in the Prescott-Russell region.

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Both the Ottawa River Regulating CommitUFF 033$ BOE UIF 4/$ SFQPSU UIBU XBUFS levels for the Ottawa River and its tributaries this spring are at about the same level as in 2018. There were no spring flooding problems for that year.

Severe spring flooding along the Ottawa River occurred in 2017 and 2019, when both weather and soil conditions combined to create severe high-water conditions in the rivers. The ORRC’s April 12 flood status report on its website noted that the spring thaw began early this year and now just the central and northern parts of the Ottawa

River basin area still have any leftover winter snow still draining into the river. Along with UIF &BTUFS .POEBZ SBJOGBMM UIF SJWFS MFWFM XJMM rise but is expected to level off again by the April 17 weekend with “minor flooding” of low-lying areas which always see high water during the spring.

Homeowners in shoreline neighbourhoods along the Ottawa River are advised to keep a watch in their areas and contact their local municipality if they have any concerns about possible flooding problems. That includes the area east of the Village of Cumberland, the Voisine Street, Pago Road, and other Clarence-Rockland neighbourhoods along the Ottawa River, the Presqu’ile and Miller Island and Presqu’ile Road areas in AlfredPlantagenet Township, and the Montpetit Street and Dufour Street neighbourhoods in Champlain Township.

Residents in those areas are advised to take precautions. That includes making sure sump pumps are in working order, a portable backup generator and pump are available, and removing any valuables from basements

—archives Spring rain this year may not mean spring floods like last year for Prescott-Russell neighbourhoods along the Ottawa River. The current forecast from the Ottawa River Regulating Committee indicates the water level for the Ottawa River should be almost the same as it was in 2018, when there was no spring flooding problem.