After a reprieve from rain in the form of two sunny, warm days, water levels keep rising on the Ottawa River and its tributaries, raising concerns about worsening flooding in the days ahead.
On Saturday, April 18, 2026, an orange level flood watch was in effect for the lower Ottawa River.
According to the Ottawa River Regulation Planning Board, as the afternoon of, April 20, water retained in upstream reservoirs—the various lakes created by dams along the river and its tributaries, are retaining spring runoff to reduce flooding in the downstream river system. However, flooding was expected to reach major levels in some areas between Ottawa and Carillon on Tuesday, April 21.
Levels were expected to peak on Tuesday. On April 18, peak level estimates were generally close to 2023 peak levels. Over the next two weeks, levels are expected to plateau or slowly decline depending on weather.
According to Board data from the Hydro-Québec water level monitoring station at Grenville, the water level of the Ottawa River was 42.3 metres/138.5 feet on Tuesday, which was an increase from 42.2 metres/138 feet on Monday, April 20.
