WATERSHED CONDITIONS STATEMENT – CARP RIVER WATERSHED - LOW WATER LEVEL III – September 5, 2025

Level III Low Water – Indicates a failure of the water supply to meet demand. Key focus is on regulation & enforcement.

This Low Water Statement is an update to the Statement issued August 6, 2025.

Watershed Conditions: Streamflow in the Carp River has been persistently low, falling to less than 5% of long-term historical average for most of August. Precipitation over the past 90 days has dropped below 70% of the long-term seasonal average and conditions have deteriorated further in the last 30 days, with rainfall falling to less than 30% of the seasonal norm.

This statement is to advise that present conditions in the Carp River Watershed have reached Level III (Severe) Low Water thresholds under the Ontario Low Water Response Program.

Actions: The MVCA is encouraging all water users that are not on the City of Ottawa’s municipal distribution network to reduce their water consumption by 50% to help mitigate the impacts of the low water conditions. MVCA is advising the general public to use extreme caution while out on waterways for recreational purposes (swimming, boating).

Permit holders drawing water from surface or groundwater sources are asked to reduce their actual water takings as much as possible during this time. All residents are strongly encouraged to conserve water by using rain barrels for watering lawns and gardens, and by avoiding the use of pressure washers on houses, driveways, decks, and fences.

Please consult your municipality’s website for up-to-date information on local water use restrictions. Residents across the Mississippi Valley Watershed should stay informed about any watering bans, fire bans, or municipal bylaws currently in effect.

Conservation Authority staff continue to monitor conditions and communicate with water managers throughout the watershed.

Duration: This message is in effect until an update has been issued.

For More Information: Daily water levels and flows are available on the MVCA website at www.mvc.on.ca/water-levels. A map of the Carp River watershed can be found at https://mvc.on.ca/carp-river-watershed/.

For more information, contact:

            MVCA Duty Officer

            613-220-8462

            Water-management@mvc.on.ca

More Resources:

City of Ottawa: https://ottawa.ca/en/living-ottawa/water-utility-bills/water-conservation

Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks: https://www.ontario.ca/page/managing-your-water-well-times-water-shortage

Ontario’s Low Water Response program:
www.ontario.ca/page/low-water-response-program

WATERSHED CONDITIONS STATEMENT – CARP RIVER WATERSHED - LOW WATER LEVEL II – August 6, 2025

Level II Low Water – Indicates a potentially serious problem. Conservation of water is extended to restrictions on non-essential uses.

This Low Water Statement is an update to the Statement issued July 31, 2025.

Weather Forecast: The 7-day forecast is predicting negligible amounts of rain with daytime highs ranging between 27°C and 34°C across the watershed, further exacerbating the already dry conditions in the Carp River Watershed

Watershed Conditions: Flows in the Carp River are significantly below normal, with reports of some tributaries running dry. Precipitation over the past 3 months has also been substantially below normal values for this time of year. The Mississippi Valley Low Water Response Team has agreed that based on the 1- and 3-month average rainfall and flow criteria, the watershed has moved from a Level I Minor Low Water Status to a Level II Moderate Low Water Status under the Ontario Low Water Response Program. A significant rainfall over a large portion of the watershed will be required to return the watershed to normal conditions.

Actions: The MVCA is encouraging all water users that are not on the City of Ottawa’s municipal distribution network to reduce their water consumption by 20% to help mitigate the impacts of the low water conditions.

Those who have permits for taking water from surface or groundwater sources are asked to reduce their actual taking as much as possible. Residents are also urged to use water conservatively by using rain barrels to water lawns and gardens and avoid using pressure washers to clean houses, driveways, decks and fences. Please check your municipality’s website for current water usage restrictions. All residents throughout the Mississippi Valley watershed should be aware of any bans or bylaws that may be in place in their municipalities regarding watering or fire bans.

Conservation Authority staff continue to monitor conditions and communicate with water managers throughout the watershed.

Duration: This message is in effect until an update has been issued.

For More Information: Daily water levels and flows are available on the MVCA website at www.mvc.on.ca/water-levels. For more information, contact:

            MVCA Duty Officer

            613-220-8462

            Water-management@mvc.on.ca

More Resources:

City of Ottawa: https://ottawa.ca/en/living-ottawa/water-utility-bills/water-conservation

Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks: https://www.ontario.ca/page/managing-your-water-well-times-water-shortage

Ontario’s Low Water Response program:
www.ontario.ca/page/low-water-response-program

WATERSHED CONDITIONS STATEMENT – CARP RIVER  WATERSHED - LOW WATER LEVEL I – July 31, 2025

Level I Low Water – First indication of potential water supply problems, primarily a warning level. Key focus is conservation of water.

Watershed Conditions: Rainfall over the past 90 days in the Carp River Watershed has been below average, with totals reaching less than 80% of the long-term seasonal norm. The 7-day forecast predicts less than 5 mm of additional rainfall, with daytime high temperatures ranging between 25°C and 30°C across the watershed. This statement is to advise that present conditions in the Carp River watershed are now at the threshold for Level I Minor Low Water Status under the Ontario Low Water Response Program.

Actions: The MVCA is encouraging all water users that are not on the City of Ottawa’s municipal distribution network to reduce their water consumption by 10% to help mitigate the impacts of the low water conditions.

Those who have permits for taking water from surface or groundwater sources are asked to reduce their actual taking as much as possible. Residents are also urged to use water conservatively by using rain barrels to water lawns and gardens and avoid using pressure washers to clean houses, driveways, decks and fences. Please check your municipality’s website for current water usage restrictions.  All residents throughout the Mississippi Valley watershed should be aware of any bans or bylaws that may be in place in their municipalities regarding watering or fire bans.  

Conservation Authority staff continue to monitor conditions and communicate with water managers throughout the watershed.

Duration: This message is in effect until an update has been issued.

For More Information: Daily water levels and flows are available on the MVCA website at www.mvc.on.ca/water-levels. For more information, contact:

            MVCA Duty Officer

            613-220-8462

            Water-management@mvc.on.ca

More Resources:

City of Ottawa: https://ottawa.ca/en/living-ottawa/water-utility-bills/water-conservation

Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks: https://www.ontario.ca/page/managing-your-water-well-times-water-shortage

Ontario’s Low Water Response program:
www.ontario.ca/page/low-water-response-program

Low Water Response Program Status