Floodplains are low lying areas near a watercourse that are subjected to flooding and unstable slopes due to erosion. In eastern Ontario, the 1:100-year floodplain is the regulatory standard used to identify lands that are vulnerable to flooding. Conservation Authorities (CA) have been delegated floodplain management responsibilities by the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR), achieved primarily through the requisition and administration of accurately engineered floodplain mapping data and documentation.

Project Background

With support and cooperation from the City of Ottawa, MVCA initiated the Kinburn Drain and Carp Tributaries Floodplain Mapping project in the Summer of 2024 with an expected completion date of Spring 2026. The project will study and map the flood and erosion hazards along Kinburn drain and Carp Tributaries in accordance with Section 28 of the Conservation Authorities Act for the identification and mitigation of natural hazards.

Kinburn and Carp Tributaries Floodplain Mapping Study Area

The Kinburn drain and Carp River Tributaries have not been previously mapped, leading to an incomplete understanding of flood risks. Developing regulatory floodplain mapping is required to support municipal planning, emergency preparedness, flood forecasting, infrastructure projects, erosion hazards and climate resilience planning.

Floodplain mapping involves many components, including data collection, hydrological and hydraulic analyses, public consultations, and floodplain and regulatory limit mapping. As of March 2025, data collection and hydrological and hydraulic analyses are underway.

A Public Open House is tentatively planned for Winter 2026. At the Public Open House, community members and stakeholders will be able to review the draft regulatory floodplain maps and talk 1:1 with CA staff regarding any specific or general questions they may have regarding the updated floodplain, the mapping process, and how it will affect them.

Links on the righthand side of this page provide additional information on the Kinburn Drain and Carp Tributaries Mapping project including answers to Frequently Asked Questions. Details of the Public Open House will be available through the links on this page, through our social media sites, and advertised in local news outlets.