Ottawa River Water Level Today
Check the current Ottawa River water level at Britannia, Rideau River level, and 6 more monitoring stations updated every 5 minutes. Real-time flood monitoring from Environment Canada for spring snowmelt, kayaking conditions, and river safety.
Monitoring Stations
Ottawa River at Britannia
Primary upstream gauge for the Ottawa River. Key station for flood forecasting in west Ottawa and Constance Bay.
View historical data →Ottawa River at Hull
Downtown Ottawa River gauge near Chaudière Falls. Monitors water levels for the urban core.
View historical data →Rideau River at Ottawa
Main Rideau River gauge. Important for monitoring conditions in Old Ottawa South and Riverside South.
View historical data →Rideau River above Rideau Falls
Monitors the Rideau River near its confluence with the Ottawa River at Rideau Falls.
View historical data →Rideau River below Manotick
Southern Ottawa gauge on the Rideau River, relevant for Manotick and Riverside South residents.
View historical data →Jock River near Richmond
Monitors the Jock River watershed in southwest Ottawa. Important during spring snowmelt.
View historical data →South Castor River at Kenmore
East Ottawa watershed monitoring. Tracks water levels in the Castor River system.
View historical data →Graham Creek at Nepean
Small urban creek in Nepean. Useful for local stormwater and flash flood monitoring.
View historical data →Official Resources
- Environment Canada Water Office — Official real-time hydrometric data for all Canadian rivers
- Ottawa River Regulation Planning Board — Manages dam operations and flood forecasting for the Ottawa River basin
- Rideau Valley Conservation Authority — Flood warnings and watershed reports for the Rideau River system
- Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority — Flood status and dam conditions west of Ottawa
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the current water level of the Ottawa River?
Our real-time map shows water levels from 8 Environment Canada monitoring stations across the Ottawa region. The Ottawa River at Britannia station (02KF005) and the Ottawa River at Hull station (02LA015) are the two primary gauges for the main river. Data updates every 5 minutes directly from the federal hydrometric network.
Is the Ottawa River flooding right now?
Check the Ottawa River at Britannia station for upstream levels and the Hull station for downtown levels. During spring snowmelt (typically April–May), levels can rise rapidly. Compare current readings to normal seasonal levels: the Ottawa River at Britannia typically ranges from 57.5m in winter to 59–60m in spring. Levels above 60.5m have historically caused flooding in low-lying areas like Constance Bay and Cumberland.
Where can I check river conditions for kayaking in Ottawa?
Our map shows real-time water levels and flow rates (discharge in m³/s) for the Ottawa River, Rideau River, and Jock River. For safe paddling, check discharge rates before heading out — the Ottawa River at Britannia typically flows at 1,000–2,000 m³/s, but can exceed 5,000 m³/s during spring floods when paddling is dangerous.
How often are Ottawa water levels updated?
Water level data updates every 5 minutes from Environment Canada's real-time hydrometric stations. Our map caches data for 15 minutes and automatically refreshes. For official flood forecasts and warnings, also check the Ottawa River Regulation Planning Board and the Rideau Valley Conservation Authority.
What rivers are monitored in the Ottawa area?
We track 8 monitoring stations: Ottawa River at Britannia (upstream), Ottawa River at Hull (downtown), Rideau River at Ottawa, Rideau River above Rideau Falls, Rideau River below Manotick, Jock River near Richmond, South Castor River at Kenmore, and Graham Creek at Nepean. These cover the major waterways across the Ottawa region.