CanadaSoldiers help protect Pembroke water supply from Ottawa River ahead of expected rain

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PEMBROKE, Ont. — Soldiers from a Canadian base in Petawawa were deployed Saturday to protect infrastructure in the nearby city of Pembroke, Ont. — one of several communities threatened by historically high water levels on the Ottawa River.

Major Adam Graham said one of the first priority assignments for his unit, which numbered about 64, was protecting the water treatment plan near the river's edge.

"So we've dispatched some soldiers down to that location to help conduct flood mitigation measures, such as primarily sandbagging certain elements of that facility to ensure that there's no issues with the town's water supply as a result of flooding," Graham said in a phone interview.

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Homes along the Ottawa River in Gatineau, Que. are flooded on April 30, 2019. Ottawa declared a state of emergency on April 25, which prompted assistance from the province and the Canadian Armed Soldiers help protect Pembroke water supply from Ottawa River ahead of expected rain .

The river near Pembroke measured 113.53 metres above sea level on Wednesday afternoon — the second-highest level on record, according to the river board’s latest forecast. On Wednesday, the river board projected the water would rise another 22 centimetres before peaking at 113.75 metres on

Soldiers were later assigned to assist provincial crews with the construction of a sandbag wall at a partially flooded waterside park, downstream from the water purification plant.

The city declared a state of emergency on Thursday and followed that with requests for assistance from Canada's military and from the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry.

Heather Salovaara, the community's emergency information officer, said the ministry sent 21 people in four crews in addition whose work was co-ordinated with the soldiers from

Pembroke itself has a population of 16,200 but an estimated 75,500 people living within a 40 kilometre radius depend on the city as a service centre.

Graham said it will be community officials that decide on what tasks are given to his soldiers as conditions change.

2nd flood peak expected this weekend

Just when it seemed flood-weary residents of the Ottawa-Gatineau area might catch a break, the Ottawa River is rising again and isn't expected to peak until Sunday or Monday. After reaching their initial peak more than a week ago, water levels began dropping, then rising again as rain drenched the region and reservoirs filled to the brim. Another 10 millimetres of rain is expected across the region Friday, and parts of the Outaouais could see even more: a rainfall warning is currently in effect in Maniwaki, Que. The Ottawa River is currently 1.5 to 2.5 metres above average May levels between Pembroke, Ont.

The Ottawa River Action Plan identified stormwater runoff as a key issue affecting the health of the Ottawa River . Rain barrel tips. Rain barrels are a great way to collect water to use on your lawn and garden. This will help to protect the barrel from the elements and water accumulation.

Oyster-catchers, redshank, sanderling and curlew watched by the water 's edge; as the slow sea sucked at the shore and then withdrew, leaving the strip of seaweed bare and the shingle churned, the sea-birds raced and ran upon the beaches. Then that same impulse to flight seized upon them too.

Salovaara said in an email that the community is expecting rain next week and will monitor water level predictions from the Ottawa River Regulating Committee.

"They take into account a number of things, such as open dams, rainfall, snow melt north of us, and more," Salovaara said in an email.

Other communities in Ontario, Quebec and Atlantic Canada have already been affected by spring flooding during recent weeks due to rain and melting snows.

As it turned out, Pembroke experienced sunny, warm weather on Saturday.

"It's perfect weather for flood mitigation," Graham said Saturday afternoon with a laugh.

However, additional rain could raise already high water levels on the Ottawa River, which flows past Pembroke, Ottawa and other communities on its way towards the Island of Montreal, about 350 kilometres southeast of Pembroke.

"We're going to assess the requirements of the city, in concert with ... emergency management officials and we'll take it day by day," Graham said.

The Canadian Press