2026 Ottawa River Spring Freshet Review

Bulletins posted on 2026-11-03 by Ottawa River Regulating Committee

The 2026 spring freshet was marked by successive periods of snowmelt and rainfall across the Ottawa River basin. Snowmelt began in early March in the southern sub-basins, while colder temperatures delayed melting in the northern regions. By mid-April, rising water levels had exceeded minor flood thresholds at several locations. Rapid melting of the significant northern snowpack, combined with warm temperatures and rainfall, led to further increases in water levels through late April and early May. Major flood thresholds were exceeded at several locations, and peak discharge at Carillon reached 7,739 m³/s, the fourth highest on record.

Find out more about the 2026 spring freshet in this bulletin.

Read the bulletin > 2026 Ottawa River Spring Freshet Review