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

March 15, 2024 - Watershed Conditions Statement Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry – Pembroke District 

 

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry – Pembroke District is advising area
residents that a Watershed Conditions Statement - Water Safety is in effect in the
district until Friday, March 22, 2024


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, will likely result in an increase to water levels on
lakes and rivers.


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.


No ice is safe ice. Ice conditions on local lakes have deteriorated with warmer temperatures
and changing water levels and flows.


Residents and visitors should exercise caution while around waterbodies and maintain
close supervision of children and pets.


MNRF 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.

 

See full announcement
April 04, 2024 - Watershed Conditions Statement Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry – Pembroke District 
 

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry – Pembroke District is advising area
residents that a Watershed Conditions Statement - Water Safety is in effect in the district
until Tuesday, April 09, 2024.


Residents in Renfrew County / Pembroke District should consider the following:
Recent precipitation combined with forecasted snowfall and subsequent warm weather will
likely result in an increase to water levels on lakes and rivers.


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.


Residents and visitors should exercise caution while around waterbodies and maintain
close supervision of children and pets.


MNRF 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.

 

See full announcement
April 14, 2024 - Rising Ottawa River Water Levels - OR Regulation Planning Board 

 OTTAWA/GATINEAU, Sunday April 14, 2024 — The Ottawa River Regulating Committee would like to inform watershed residents that levels and flows along the Ottawa River have begun increasing due to increasing spring runoff.

It cautions residents along the shores of the Ottawa River from Mattawa down to the Montreal Region that throughout the spring freshet period water levels can rise rapidly at times and cause minor flooding in low-lying areas. Spring started early this year and the snow cover has slowly melted away from the central and southern parts of the basin over the last few weeks. However, heavy rainfall events in parts of the watershed may cause levels and flows to change rapidly in downstream river reaches and the Regulating Committee will be closely monitoring the effects of precipitation over the next few weeks. Further bulletins will be published if flood risks increase.

 

See full announcement

April 26, Watershed Conditions Statement Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry – Flood Watch - Pembroke District 

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry – Pembroke District, is advising area residents that
a Flood Watch is in effect along areas of the Ottawa River until Friday, May 03, 2024.


A significant multi-day rain event is forecast to begin on Saturday April 27, 2024. Landscape
conditions with dormant vegetation and saturated soils have limited capacity to store additional
moisture. Although no widespread flooding is expected at this time, water levels and flow in rivers
and lakes will increase, and flooding in low-lying areas and areas with poor drainage is possible.

Residents and visitors in the area should keep a close watch on conditions and exercise caution
around rivers and streams. Please alert and monitor any children under your care to possible
dangers and supervise their activities.


The ministry is closely monitoring the weather and developing watershed conditions. Further
updates will be issued as appropriate.

 

See full announcement 

The Township has developed a comprehensive plan for dealing with the cleanup process related to the 2023 Flooding Event. Below are details on the plan and processes in place to assist impacted residents with managing flood related debris.

Sandbags

There are approximately 25,000 sandbags in various locations throughout the Township. The Township of Laurentian Valley will be providing assistance to residents with the collection of sandbags. The Township is currently in the process of recruiting a Contractor to collect all sandbags including those on private property. Residents are responsible for placing filled sandbags at the end of their driveways for collection by the Contractor. It is important that residents contact the Municipality to arrange for the collection of the sandbags by speaking with Kendryck Trgovcevic, Public Works Administrative Assistant. The Township will be coordinating the process with the Contractor and confirming the timing. Please note that the Contractor will not collect any plastic, wood or other flood related debris.

Residents are reminded that sandbags can potentially be contaminated with harmful bacteria from failed septic systems.

Bags should not be cut open or used for sandboxes, playgrounds, or other areas where direct contact with humans or animals may occur. The sand should not be disposed of in a wetland, waterway, floodplain, or other environmentally sensitive or protected area.

If you are handling flooded sandbags you are advised to use gloves, safety glasses and a dusk mask. Residents are reminded to wash their hands regularly.

Flood damaged items

Household Hazardous Waste (paint cans, batteries, propane cylinders) and Electronic Waste (TV’s, is not accepted and must be taken to the Ottawa Valley Waste Recovery Centre. Tires must also be taken to the Ottawa Valley Waste Recovery Centre. There is no charge to drop off these items at the OVWRC.

There is also a Special Environmental Day in the City of Pembroke on June 3 , 2023 at the Pembroke & Area Community Centre (Pem Ice 2), Enter off Boundary Road, 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. The event is free and open to residents from Laurentian Valley.

Additional information is also available from the Renfrew County & District Health Unit about handing food after a flood by calling 613-735-8654 or checking their website www.rcdhu.com

Special Large Item Collection

As a reminder, the Spring large item collection day has been scheduled for the week of May 28, 2023. All materials must be properly sorted and placed curbside no later than Sunday May 28, 2023.

Wood debris

Wood debris from properties is to be placed beside your driveway, away from the travelled portion of the road. This includes trees/branches that may have washed ashore with the high water levels, as well as, damaged decking, fencing or dock materials. All wood must be free of plastic, ropes and other foreign materials.

The Township will arrange for the curbside collection of the wood materials. All wood materials must be set out by Sunday May 28, 2023.

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

 

Notice Issued by Lauree Armstrong, MCIP, RPP, Township Planner/CEMC on May 19, 2023.