The Planning Board was established to ensure integrated management of the principal reservoirs of the Ottawa River basin:
To learn more about the Planning Board, see the presentation : Flow Management in the Ottawa River Basin – 2026
Water levels and flows have stabilized between Pembroke and Lake Deschenes and are stabilizing between Gatineau-Hull and Carillon at levels 5 to 15 cm below peaks experienced on May 4 and 5, 2023. With moderate temperatures forecast and no major precipitation expected in the next few days, spring runoff from the central unregulated portion of the basin is expected to gradually decrease over the coming week. During the same period, increasing spring runoff from the partially regulated Abitibi-Timiskaming area will gradually make its way down the main stem of the Ottawa River, with water levels and flows between Mattawa and Pembroke expected to continue increasing until they stabilize later on. Minor flood levels in Mattawa could be exceeded starting tomorrow afternoon (Thursday). Our website Forecasts section provides expected water levels over a four-day horizon in several areas. Note that uncertain weather factors and measurements of basin conditions play into preparing forecasts. The rate of decline in flows and levels from Lake Coulonge to Carillon over the coming weeks will depend on weather. Risk of further increase in levels in late April and early May due to high spring runoff from the northern portion of the basin is higher from Mattawa to Lake Coulonge.
See the “River Conditions Forecasts” message for the latest update on river conditions and details as to what locations may experience flooding over the next few days.
In River Conditions Forecast messages:
Read the press release >> April 13, 2026 Press Release
**** Technical note: Due to higher‑than‑normal traffic on the website—especially during the spring flood period—you may experience slower performance or see water levels and flows that are not up to date. If this happens, try clearing your browser cache, refreshing the page, or switching to the French version of the page. ***
Our website provides a map that will help you keep track of the snow cover in the watershed. The map of the snow water equivalent is available on the Current Conditions webpage (click on the “Snow Map” button at the top of the interactive map).
Snow measurements are done on a regular basis at over one hundred (100) sites across the basin. The snow map provides an overview of conditions at the time of the most recent snow measurements. It shows the amount of water held in the snow cover compared to the amount of water it normally holds at this same time of year. This amount of water is called ‘snow water equivalent’. The map covers the entire Ottawa River watershed. At a glance, it is possible to see if there was more or less snow than usual at a given time of the year.
Understanding snow water equivalent is important as it is one of the factors that contribute to shaping the magnitude and duration of a spring freshet. For more information on factors that influence a spring freshet, please see FAQ 1: FAQs – Ottawa River Regulation Planning Board
This map will be updated in early March, and every two weeks thereafter.
Press Release posted on 2026-04-13 by Ottawa River Regulating Committee
The Ottawa River Regulating Committee warns that water levels and flows along the main stem of the Ottawa River are
Bulletins posted on 2026-04-02 by Ottawa River Regulation Secretariat
The detailed four-day forecast has now begun. The Ottawa River Regulating Committee provides hydrological forecasts to the public at nine
Press Release posted on 2026-04-02 by Ottawa River Regulating Committee
The Ottawa River Regulating Committee would like to inform basin residents that levels and flows along the Ottawa River are
