The Ottawa River Regulation Planning Commission began its forecast on March 25. The commission’s chief engineer, Manon Lalonde, explains that the 2021 spring flood, according to their initial analyses, announces little risk of major flooding.

“You could say it’s a very ordinary flood, even a nice one. Early snowmelt has allowed a good amount of water to evaporate that will not end up in the river. It bodes well,” says Manon Lalonde.

According to Lalonde, the 2017 and 2019 floods have changed the perception of flooding along the Ottawa River watershed. Lalonde mentioned that the Commission ensures that it has close communications with dam managers in order to publish the various statistics.

The full interview with Manon Lalonde of the Ottawa River Regulation Planning Commission is available below: