Communities along the Ottawa River brace for spring flooding [Video]

People living near the Ottawa River are being cautioned about higher water levels this weekend, with several conservation authorities issuing flood warnings.

Authorities that monitor the river say they’re not expecting anything close to the record-breaking floods of previous years. But the latest warnings have some who lived through those floods bracing for the worst. 

“In Constance Bay, we’re all very concerned because most of us on the water have flooded,” said Gerry Blyth, whose house flooded in both 2017 and 2019.

Blyth said he spent his retirement savings to raise his house, and feels certain that the area will see flooding again.

“If current patterns continue, we are heading into spring with little to no remaining flood safety margin,” he also wrote in an email to CBC.

25 to 30 cm expected

The Rideau Valley Conservation Authority, the Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority and South Nation Conservation have all issued warnings that water levels could …