Rideau River at Ottawa
Water level and flow at gauge 02LA004, Ontario. The flow is well above normal for October (240% of the median). In the last 24 hours it has been steady.
Latest reading Oct 25, 8 AM local standard time (2 hours ago) · data checked · we check every 30 minutes
Compared with a normal October
Normal for October (middle half of 93 years of monthly averages): 10.6 m³/s374 cfs – 25.6 m³/s904 cfs, median 15.7 m³/s554 cfs. Right now it is at 240% of the median.
March 28, 1976 · approved records 1971–2025 (HYDAT). Right now the flow is 6% of that record.
344% higher than on October 25, 2025 (8.49 m³/s300 cfs)
approved daily mean (HYDAT)
Last 30 days
Hourly readings · shaded: normal range for this month
This year compared with past years
Daily flow
Normal range: monthly averages of 78 years (lighter band: 10th–90th percentile). Past years: approved daily means from HYDAT, the Water Survey of Canada archive (the latest year published is 2025). 2026: daily means of the provisional real-time readings collected by Canada River Levels since October 22, 2026.
Weather near this gauge
Sunny. Wind becoming southwest 20 km/h late this morning. High 17. UV index 3 or moderate.
A few clouds. Increasing cloudiness late this evening then 30 percent chance of showers before morning. Low 9.
Cloudy. 60 percent chance of showers in the morning. Becoming a mix of sun and cloud in the afternoon. Wind becoming northwest 20 km/h in the morning. High 14. UV index 2 or low.
Clear. Low minus 2.
Forecast for Ottawa (Kanata - Orléans) (2 km away) from Environment and Climate Change Canada, issued . Full official forecast ↗ · we check for new forecasts every 2 hours.
Nearby gauges
| Outaouais A Hull02LA015 · 6 km | 41.27 m135.38 ft | Below normal |
| Rideau RiverAbove Rideau Falls · 7 km | 4.97 m16.29 ft | Very high |
| Graham CreekNepean · 10 km | 0.83 m2.71 ft | Normal |
| Ottawa RiverBritannia · 11 km | 57.82 m189.71 ft | Normal |
| Rideau RiverBelow Manotick · 15 km | 4.10 m13.46 ft | Very high |
| Jock RiverRichmond · 16 km | 6.34 m20.80 ft | Above normal |
About this gauge
Station: 02LA004 · Rideau River at Ottawa
Location: 45.3815, -75.6970 · Ontario
Same river: Below Merrickville, Below Manotick, Above Rideau Falls
Water levels are measured from a local reference point at each gauge, not from sea level, so they cannot be compared between gauges.
Official sources
For flood warnings, advisories and approved data, always use these official services:
Questions
What is the water level of the Rideau River at Ottawa today?
The latest reading (Oct 25, 8 AM, local standard time) is 3.07 m (10.08 ft) with a flow of 37.7 m³/s (1,331 cfs).
Is the Rideau River at Ottawa high right now?
The flow is well above normal for October (240% of the median).
Is the Rideau River rising or falling?
In the last 24 hours it has been steady.
What is the highest flow ever recorded on the Rideau River at Ottawa?
597 m³/s (21,083 cfs) on March 28, 1976, the highest instantaneous flow in the approved records of the Water Survey of Canada (1971–2025). Events after 2025 are not yet in the approved archive.
How does the Rideau River at Ottawa compare with a year ago?
The flow is 344% higher than on October 25, 2025 (8.49 m³/s (300 cfs), approved daily mean (HYDAT)).
Where does this data come from?
Gauge 02LA004 of the Water Survey of Canada (Environment and Climate Change Canada). Real-time data are provisional and may be revised. We check for new readings every 30 minutes. Canada River Levels is not an official source.