OTTAWA RIVER

RIVER LEVELS
December 25, 2024
40.77, -83.96


TOTAL RIVER DISCHARGE

Total streamflow across the Ottawa River was last observed at 55 cfs, and is expected to yield approximately 108 acre-ft of water today; about 27% of normal. River levels are low and may signify a drought. Average streamflow for this time of year is 205 cfs, with recent peaks last observed on 2024-04-03 when daily discharge volume was observed at 9,810 cfs.

Maximum discharge along the river is currently at the Ottawa River Near Kalida Oh reporting a streamflow rate of 37.2 cfs. However, the streamgauge with the highest stage along the river is the Ottawa River At Lima Oh with a gauge stage of 11.02 ft. This river is monitored from 3 different streamgauging stations along the Ottawa River, the highest being situated at an altitude of 841 ft, the Ottawa River At Lima Oh.

The Ottawa River is a 1,271 km long river that runs through Ontario and Quebec, with a drainage basin of 146,300 km². The river has been an important transportation route for Indigenous peoples for thousands of years and played a crucial role in the fur trade. During the 19th and 20th centuries, the river powered many sawmills, paper mills, and other industries. The river is also used for hydroelectric power generation, with many dams and reservoirs located along its course, including the Carillon and Des Joachims dams. Additionally, the Ottawa River is a popular destination for recreational activities such as boating, fishing, and swimming, and is home to numerous parks and conservation areas. The river also supports agriculture, particularly in its watershed in eastern Ontario, where many farms rely on the river for irrigation.

Last Updated 2024-12-25
Discharge Volume 108 ACRE-FT
Streamflow 54.62 cfs
-8.59 cfs (-13.59%)
Percent of Normal 26.67%
Maximum 9,810.0 cfs
2024-04-03
Seasonal Avg 205 cfs

YEAR OVER YEAR DISCHARGE (CFS)

Streamflow Conditions
Streamgauge Streamflow Gauge Stage 24hr Change (%) % Normal Minimum (cfs) Maximum (cfs) Air Temp Elevation
Ottawa River At Lima Oh
USGS 04187100
2 cfs 11.02 ft -7.28
Ottawa River Near Kalida Oh
USGS 04188100
37 cfs 4.1 ft -14.29
Ottawa River At University Of Toledo Toledo Oh
USGS 04177000
15 cfs 2.26 ft -12.79
History of the River

The Ottawa River (French: Rivière des Outaouais, Algonquin: Kitchissippi) is a river in the Canadian provinces of Ontario and Quebec. It is named in honour of the Algonquin word 'to trade', as it was the major trade route of Eastern Canada at the time. For most of its length, it defines the border between these two provinces. It is a major tributary of the St. Lawrence River and the longest river in Quebec.

       

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