“As far as we know, we reached the peak…”
Mayor Roger Larose, Mun. du Pontiac
Local Journalism Initiative
Published in the Pontiac Journal on May 7, 2025.
PONTIAC – On Friday, May 2, floodwaters from the Ottawa River continued to rise across the Pontiac region, but municipal officials remained cautiously optimistic as they monitored forecasts and prepared for a peak this past weekend.
Roger Larose, mayor of the Municipality of Pontiac, said water levels have risen slightly. “The water went up a little bit on the [flood] plain,” he noted. “As far as we know, we reached the peak on Sunday, May 4.” The municipality—which includes Quyon, Luskville, Breckenridge, and North and South Onslow—has experienced recurring spring floods over the past decade. This year, Larose said, the impact is more on infrastructure than homes. “The main issue isn’t the houses—it’s mostly the roads,” he explained. “Only two or three homes have been seriously affected so far.” Speaking to the Journal on Friday, May 2, he said that he expected to know more by Sunday. “Depending on how much rain we get, I think we’ll be alright.”
In Mansfield, Mayor Sandra Armstrong said staff are closely monitoring river forecasts. Without a formal volunteer system, the municipality relies on direct communication to coordinate support. Some residents are managing their own sandbagging, while others are receiving help from municipal crews and students from École secondaire Sieur-de-Coulonge (ESSC).
Sand, bags, and shovels are available for residents at 32 chemin Lac de la Truite.
As of May 2, chemin Léonard was closed to all but local traffic, while water was encroaching on several other roads, including chemins Grand-Marais, Félix, La Passe, and Thomas-Lefebvre. Armstrong said sand barriers have been placed to protect vulnerable areas. “A few private roads are already flooded,”
she noted. “We’ve delivered notices advising residents that emergency response may be delayed, and those choosing to stay were asked to sign a waiver acknowledging the risk.”
Municipal staff are conducting daily inspections of low-lying areas, with updates sent to provincial emergency services to ensure access for school buses and emergency vehicles. While parks remain open, their conditions are being monitored closely.
In Fort-Coulonge, Mayor Christine Francoeur reported relatively stable conditions despite rising water. “More than three-quarters of the municipal park is under water,” she said. “But I don’t think we’ll have any water reaching homes. The roads are okay, I haven’t had to close any.” Francoeur’s main concern is the municipality’s sewage infrastructure. “We’re worried about the pumps, but everything is working normally right now,” she said. “If they fail, there’s a risk of overflow into homes, so we’re monitoring them very closely.”
According to the Ottawa River Regulation Secretariat, minor flood levels have already been reached in several vulnerable areas. Water levels in Lac Coulonge were expected to rise to 108.35 metres by May 4—still below major thresholds. Since the forecast included projected rainfall, actual levels may vary. “We’re always watching the rain,” Armstrong said. “If upstream areas stay dry, that’s good news for us.”
Residents in at-risk areas are encouraged to stay informed through municipal Facebook pages or real-time updates from the Ottawa River Regulation Secretariat at www.ottawariver.ca/conditions.
Photo – Water encroaches on homes and campers in Fort-Coulonge, May 4.
