Gatineau, April 17, 2026. – Water levels continue to rise and could reach the 2023 first point level by Sunday. Since 5 p.m. yesterday, Gatineau has recorded an 11 to 14 cm rise in the Ottawa River, and 7 to 8 cm in the Gatineau River. Water levels should remain high over the next several days. Thus, Gatineau estimates that some 33 roads and 119 buildings may be affected by water according to current projections.
Crews are on the ground, keeping a close eye on the situation, and intervening when necessary. Gatineau is in daily contact with the Ottawa River Regulation Planning Board (ORRPB), and has opened its Emergency Measures Coordination Centre.
Roads at risk by sector at this point
| ● | Aylmer sector:
– chemin Fraser;
– impasse Claudette-Burke;
– rue Côté;
– rue Dorion;
– rue Lamoureux;
– rue Lloyd;
– rue Madaire; and
– rue Pilgrim. |
| ● | Hull sector:
– promenade du Lac-Leamy.
|
| ● | Gatineau sector:
– boulevard Hurtubise;
– rue Adélard;
– rue Blais;
– rue Corriveau;
– rue de Versailles;
– rue des Montgolfières;
– rue du Prince-Albert;
– rue Ernest-Charron;
– rue Glaude;
– rue Jacques-Cartier;
– rue Moreau;
– rue Oscar;
– rue René;
– rue Riviera;
– rue Sabourin;
– rue Saint-François-Xavier;
– rue Saint-Louis; and
– rue Saint-Patrice.
|
| ● | Masson-Angers sector:
– chemin du Fer-à-Cheval;
– chemin de la Rive;
– chemin du Quai;
– rue Gabriel-Constantineau;
– rue du Ruisseau; and
– rue Victor-Charlebois.
|
| ● | Please note that some bike paths may be under water in parts over the next few days. |
| ● | People should avoid at-risk areas, unless absolutely necessary, and exercise caution by slowing down on flooded roads.
|
Distribution of sandbags
| ● | Sandbags are available at the following locations:
– parc Louis-Roy (5 rue Louis-Roy, Aylmer sector);
– parc du Lac-Beauchamp (745 boulevard Maloney Est, Gatineau sector);
– parc Jack-Eyamie (40 rue du Bassin, Masson-Angers sector); and
– New: centre communautaire Saint-Jean-De Brébeuf parking lot (70 rue Moreau, Gatineau sector). |
| ● | These sites were selected based on specific criteria, essentially safety, accessibility and traffic flow to reduce wait times. |
| ● | The situation is changing, and adjustments may be made based on needs on the ground. Gatineau will keep the public informed. |
| ● | Residents are asked to collect sandbags gradually to ensure that everyone gets some. That way, everyone can start building their dykes. |
| ● | Gatineau encourages organized volunteer efforts to ensure optimal protection in terms of civil responsibility and insurance. Volunteers with Sauvetage bénévoles Outaouais (SBO) are on site at the different locations, providing liaison between the Emergency Measures Coordination Centre and residents.
– Residents wishing to get together to help one another are welcome to do so, as long as they respect the operations underway in the field.
|
Quick facts
Residents are expected to take the necessary steps to ensure their own safety and protect their home, and to sign up for text and email notifications at gatineau.ca/flood.
| ● | There is also an interactive map where street closures and sandbag distribution sites are posted in real time. That map can be consulted at gatineau.ca/flood. |
| ● | Residents who feel the need can call 811, option 2 at any time for psycho-social support. |
| ● | Service de sécurité incendie de Gatineau (SSIG) representatives will continue going door-to-door to touch base with the residents concerned. They will offer support, answer questions and make sure everyone is well informed. |
Quote
“We are keeping a close eye on the entire territory and adjusting our interventions as the situation changes. All necessary resources are at the ready, prepared to respond quickly to any eventuality, in collaboration with our partners, to guarantee the public's safety at all times,” indicated Gatineau Mayor Maude Marquis-Bissonnette.
Water Level Comparison
The images below present a comparison of water levels observed in 2026 (in black) with those from previous years, as of today. Measurements were taken at the Marina de Hull and Britannia Park stations.
Images
Associated links
Ottawa River Current Conditions
Spring freshet and flooding
Prepare
Stay tuned
