Clarence-Rockland Mayor Mario Zanth is calling for greater attention to water management along the Ottawa River.
The Ottawa River Regulation Planning Board advised that rain and warmer temperatures could push water levels above minor flood thresholds last weekend, as levels continue to rise and are expected to increase further.
Speaking at a press conference on Saturday, April 26 in Rockland, Zanth said the city is preparing for potential flooding along the Ottawa River, with services on standby and key equipment already pre-positioned at strategic locations across Clarence-Rockland.
« The safety of our residents is our top priority, » said Zanth. « We are ready to respond quickly. »
Zanth and several other local officials recently met with Canada’s Minister of Emergency Preparedness, Harjit Sajjan, to raise concerns and advocate for municipalities that continue to be severely affected by flooding and higher-than-normal water levels. Zanth asked the federal government to conduct a full analysis of water management procedures, including identifying infrastructure needs to better mitigate flooding.
« Despite weeks of low water flow — a perfect opportunity to lower levels — no action was taken, » said Zanth. « Municipalities like ours are left to manage the impacts. »
Zanth said he has met with officials from Hydro-Québec to discuss better proactive water management, emphasizing the need to move water earlier to lower the risks for communities such as Clarence-Rockland.
“They (Hydro-Québec) are holding back more water than they should,” said Zanth. “Empty what you need to empty, let out more water and then create yourself a buffer. I am no longer buying the argument that they are managing the best way they can.”
Zanth acknowledged that water management along the Ottawa River is a complex issue involving several players, including the federal and provincial governments, Hydro-Québec, the City of Gatineau and neighbouring municipalities.
“We deserve daily updates from Hydro-Québec on how they are managing the situation,” he said. “What is the goal here? How are you managing the flows of the river? How are you preventing this from happening? We need to know.”
Flooding in Clarence-Rockland and other communities along the Ottawa River has become an increasingly serious problem. In the spring of 2017 and 2019, water levels rose high enough to force the city to declare a state of emergency. The province, the Canadian Red Cross and even the Canadian Armed Forces were called in to help municipalities along the river evacuate residents and divert water away from homes using sandbags and other measures. The 2019 floods also contaminated drinking water for residents not connected to the city’s water treatment plant.
The City of Clarence-Rockland continues to advocate for municipal representation from both Ontario and Quebec on the Ottawa River Regulation Planning Board, a move that has gained support from 28 other municipalities.
