Constance Bay Residents Brace for Flooding as Ottawa River Levels Rise
With the Ottawa River experiencing rising water levels once again, residents of Constance Bay are taking proactive measures to protect their homes from potential flooding. The community is mobilizing to fill and place sandbags, hoping for the best while preparing for the worst as the river continues to swell.
Community Response to Rising Waters
Dave Fitzsimons, a 73-year-old resident, has been actively loading sandbags at the Constance and Buckham's Bay Community Center. "I just came in from placing them on the beach to protect our retaining wall," Fitzsimons explained. He and other shoreline residents have been making multiple trips daily to secure sandbags as water levels increase, with the peak expected to arrive around midnight on Sunday.
Fitzsimons described the situation as precautionary but necessary. "We're going at a precautionary pace, but we're hoping for the best and starting to prepare for the worst," he told local media. Despite the anxiety surrounding potential flooding, Fitzsimons noted that filling sandbags has become something of a social activity, bringing neighbors together during this stressful time.
Historical Context and Current Concerns
Geoff Thompson, a longtime friend of Fitzsimons and fellow area resident, shared his perspective on the flooding situation. His house sits within Ottawa's designated flood zone but benefits from being on higher ground. "You gotta come up four stairs to get into the side door of the house," Thompson said, explaining that this elevation provides some protection.
Thompson, who has lived in his home since 1998, noted that repeat flooding in Constance Bay is a relatively recent phenomenon. "We had no flooding since 2017," he observed. "There are many theories as to what's going on right now and why we keep running into this."
Fitzsimons provided historical context from his own experience. In 2025, he placed 1,800 sandbags along his shoreline and retaining wall, while in 2019, that number reached 3,000. That same year, the Fitzsimons discovered a small crack in their home's foundation—a quarter-inch fissure that required immediate attention given their riverside location.
Ongoing Preparations and Future Concerns
Despite the community camaraderie, residents remain concerned about how the next few days will unfold. Fitzsimons, a retired fire captain, and his wife Paula have owned their property since 2003 and have avoided major flooding so far, but there have been close calls.
The couple's home was built in 2003 to meet 100-year-flood requirements, and they moved in permanently after retirement in 2010. Fitzsimons expressed particular concern about wind conditions following the expected peak water levels. "Things can accelerate quite quickly," he warned. "Our next greatest fear after the peak is the wind."
He explained that wind could create waves on the river up to 16 inches high, effectively increasing water levels by the same amount and potentially overwhelming protective measures. As Constance Bay residents continue their preparations, the community remains vigilant, balancing hope with practical precautions against the rising Ottawa River.
