Water levels in Quebec are breaking all-time records
Unusual spring rainfall is pushing river levels past historical highs
Water levels have broken all-time records in some parts of Quebec.
Quebec's environment ministry has hundreds of sensors along the province's waterways that measure the height of the water. At about a dozen locations, recent levels have beat historical highs or are flirting with them.
One station is at the Grand-Moulin dam, between Laval and Deux-Montagnes. On Wednesday, the water level nearly hit 24.2 metres high, surpassing the previous record of 23.8 metres since measurements began in 1999.
Another station, at Pointe-Calumet, hit nearly 24.3 metres, beating out the previous high of 24.2 metres since the station began measurements in 1986.
"All rivers north of the St. Lawrence are higher than usual," said Annie Lagadec of Hydro-Metéo, a private firm that monitors water levels.
"Some rivers are surpassing 20-year records."
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At the Carillon dam, near Rigaud, the water broke a 100-year record, according to a resident who measures the levels on his waterfront property.
"I wasn't expecting it to go this high before Friday," said Ken Flack, who lives in Pointe-Fortune, which straddles the Quebec-Ontario border along the Ottawa River.
A software programmer, Flack compiles data and forecasts from several agencies that measure water levels. He said weather conditions are expected to raise the river's levels further this week, setting a new record.
100 year flood level reached. <a href="https://t.co/8JZPi5ZIOO">pic.twitter.com/8JZPi5ZIOO</a>
—@CarillonDamOther locations seeing higher-than normal levels are Sainte-Agathe and Lac-Théodore in the Laurentians, and Chapleau Lake near La Minerve.
Lagadec blames the swelling on the unusual spring, which saw more snow melt and rain than in the past.
"Not all springs are like this," she said.
Although it's too soon to blame the floods on climate change, the shorter winters and longer springs are trending toward similar condition in the future, she said.
Environment Canada is expecting water levels to remain high until Friday. The Lake of Two Mountains is forecasted to hit 24.3 metres, close to its record highest.
For comparison, the water level was around 23 metres this time last year.