Heavy rain in Ottawa, coupled with frozen ground, could lead to flooding
Posted Mar 7, 2026 09:21:57 AM.
Last Updated Mar 7, 2026 09:22:06 AM.
A sizable rain system is expected to impact Ottawa on Saturday, prompting a warning from Environment Canada.
The weather agency notes that 20-30 millimetres of rain is possible as thunderstorms roll through the nation’s capital. The rain, combined with mild temperatures are believed to melt a significant amount of the city’s snowpack, increasing the runoff.
“Water will likely pool on roads and in low-lying areas,” it warns. “Don’t drive through flooded roadways. Watch for washouts near rivers, creeks and culverts.”
The Rideau Valley Conservation Authority is closely monitoring water levels as they are expected to rise across Ottawa’s watershed.
As of Saturday, the authority issued a flood watch for the North Gower area, specifically citing Stevens Creek and Taylor Drain. It believes that water levels could approach the flooding threshold this weekend.
On larger bodies of water, the conservation authority said “rapid melt conditions may increase the risk of ice movement and localized ice jam formation.”
The Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority warned residents near the Carp River and the Mississippi River that flooding is possible. Both have flood outlook statements in place for the weekend.
South Nation Conservation Authority echoed the sentiments by noting “Widespread flooding is not anticipated at this time, however, this can quickly change depending on the amount and intensity of rainfall received.”
Temperatures are to climb into the double digits on Saturday, before dropping again on Sunday.
The high is 11 C, and people can expect it to cool off to 5 C to end off the weekend.
