Sophie Demers
Local Journalism Initiative
OTTAWA RIVER – The MRC’s Flood Prevention Task Force has created a list of demands they believe necessary for the effective management of the Ottawa River. Established in 2019 and composed of citizens and various representatives from local organizations, the task force is mandated to make recommendations to prevent future flooding.
MRC Warden, creator and member of the task force, Jane Toller, states: “We found out that the river was not managed like other rivers; dam operators along the river are not coordinating their efforts.”
The Pontiac has been affected by flooding many times over the years, most recently in 2017, 2019, and 2023. To fulfill their mandate, the taskforce requested management plans from various dam operators along the river and from the Ottawa River Regulation Planning Board (ORRPB). However, neither the ORRPB nor dam operators were willing to share their management plan.
The task force has stated they believe many aspects of the river’s management are problematic. They have made a list of six demands to improve oversight.
First, the task force is demanding that dam operators share their management plans as well as relevant documents. They ask that Hydro-Quebec and Ontario power producers share their hydroelectric usage to evaluate the demand, as well as prioritizing the protection of persons and property over hydroelectric production. The fourth demand states that all relevant gauge and sensor infrastructure be revised where there are reporting gaps. The demand also asks for sensor reporting information to be made public and the infrastructure to be serviced annually before the snowmelt.
The next demand states that water level limits in the management plans should not exceed 112.5 m in Pembroke, 107 m in Lac Colonge, and 75 m in Chats Lake. The last demand asks that all reservoirs impacting the river be emptied by March every year, specifically Dozois, Rapid 7, Quinze, Lady Evelyn, Timiskaming, Kipawa, and Des Joachims.
“We are now working with Ontario as well, which is important because if you have flooding on one side you will have some on the other,” said Toller highlighting that they are connecting with municipalities along the river. “For example, the mayor of Rockland, Ontario is doing some great things. He has asked for a federal study to be done.”
The list of demands has been sent to all major parties involved including Benoit Charette, Minister of Environment; Francois Bonnardel, Minister of Public Security; André Forin, Pontiac MNA; John Yakabuski, MPP for Renfrew Nipissing – Pembroke; Sophie Chatel, Pontiac MP; Hydro Quebec and Ontario Power Generation (OPG), among others.
“People have invested and purchased property; they have a right to live there and enjoy good quality of life. They should not have to worry every spring that their property will flood,” said Toller. “I want to assure residents that we are doing everything possible to prevent further flooding.”