Listen to this article
Estimated 4 minutes
The audio version of this article is generated by AI-based technology. Mispronunciations can occur. We are working with our partners to continually review and improve the results.
The Ottawa River is expected to stop rising in the Ottawa-Gatineau area by the middle of the week, and according to Monday afternoon’s update from the Ottawa River Regulation Planning Board, water levels between Lac Coulonge and Lac Deschenes are expected to stabilize at flood levels similar to what the region experienced in 2023.
They should all end up about 60 centimetres below their all-time records in 2019 for this rise, which is being pushed along by days of rain and snow melting further north.
Communities further downstream, or east, were expected to see higher water before levelling off on Wednesday or Thursday.
The river at Mattawa could rise by about another 30 centimetres rise from Monday’s mark and Hull could rise by about 20 centimetres, according to the board. They are all expected to stay at least 60 centimetres from all-time records of the last decade.
Rues Jacques-Cartier and Saint-Louis in Pointe-Gatineau on April 20, 2026. (Patrick Foucault/Radio-Canada)
Major flooding, which means a significant number of buildings and streets have been affected, is expected in much of the area for the fourth time in the last 10 years after 2017, 2019 and 2023.
The Pembroke area is not expected to reach that major level.
Last year was generally considered a minor flood.
Gatineau emergency preparations
At a news conference Monday afternoon, the City of Gatineau announced it will open a flood victim relief hub at the Gatineau Sports Centre for people affected by the flooding. People affected by the flooding can register with the Red Cross on site. It will begin operating Tuesday from noon to 8 p.m.
The city also announced that two parking lots will be available for residents whose homes are cut off by high water levels. They are located at the Sainte-Trinité Church on Duberger Street and at L’Amicale Pierre Lafontaine on Moreau Street.
The city estimated that 45 streets and 170 residences are at risk of flood damage.
A statement released an hour afterward estimated an additional 100 more homes could be damaged, referencing Monday’s Ottawa River Regulation Planning Board update.
Over the weekend the Highway 50 eastbound ramp to Gatineau’s rue Saint-Louis was closed because of water levels, as it has in past spring floods.
Gatineau has several flooding-related road closures and restrictions, mostly between Pointe-Gatineau and Templeton
Fort-Coulonge state of emergency
Fort-Coulonge, Que., declared a state of emergency on Sunday evening to help its flooding response.
The community of about 1,300 people west of Gatineau has set up two dikes and closed its Marchand Bridge, also known as the Red Bridge.
Free sand is available at the arena on rue du Centre Récréatif. People who need bags can call 819-664-0301.
Residents are asked to limit use of drinking water to help the water treatment plant.
Fort-Coulonge, Que., declares state of emergency amid spring flood
A small community west of Gatineau, Que., has declared a state of emergency as surging waters from the Coulonge and Ottawa Rivers approach. Jodie Applewaithe reports.
More of the response
There is a growing list of road closures across the region because of flooding.
Ottawa has two flooding-related road closures and restrictions near its east end: Tweddle Road to Petrie Island and Boisé Lane.
WATCH | A look at Petrie Island on Monday:
Residents monitor high Ottawa River water levels
Rising water levels on the Ottawa River have already shut road access to Petrie Island. Residents are watching the forecast for what happens next. Joseph Tunney reports.
The Ecolos ferry between Thurso and Clarence-Rockland is closed and there are restrictions on the Bourbonnais ferry between Cumberland and Masson-Angers. The Quyon Ferry has regular service.
Many flood-affected municipalities are offering sand and/or bags, closing roads and making other changes, such as Arnprior, Clarence-Rockland, Grenville-sur-la-Rouge, Mansfield-et-Pontefract and Whitewater Region. Check with yours for the latest information.
Off the Ottawa River, there are flood watches — the second-highest level on the province’s four-level scale — along the Mississippi River, the Tay Valley and Rideau Lakes areas on the Rideau River watershed and for inland waterways in Quinte Conservation.
Quebec’s flooding map lists medium flooding risks, or areas where people could need to leave home or sewers could back up, on the Rivière Coulonge in Mansfield et Pontefract and Rivière de la Petite Nation in Ripon.
There is minor flooding in places such as Gracefield and Sainte-Thérèse-de-la-Gatineau and flooding concerns on the Gatineau River near the Alonzo Wright Bridge.
These Cumberland residents are battling floodwaters again
The Ottawa River is expected to stop rising in the Ottawa-Gatineau area by Tuesday. That’s according to the latest forecast. Residents east of Cumberland hope the measures they’ve taken will be enough. The CBC’s Hallie Cotnam stopped by waterfront homes to assess the impact.
