On Wednesday, May 30, the Township of Drummond/North Elmsley was notified that the Province of Ontario has activated the Disaster Relief Assistance for Ontarians (DRAO) program for areas within the municipality affected by recent flooding. The approved areas within Drummond/North Elmsley include all properties around Mississippi Lake and those along the Mississippi River. A PDF map is available here.

Only full-time residences can qualify for funding through the DRAO program, and funding caps apply to most types of household items. Further details on registration for the program can be found on the Ontario government website.

Separate application forms are available for Homeowners and Tenants, or for Small Businesses, Not- for-Profit Organizations and Farms. These can be found here.

For further information, the Township website and Facebook Page are Drummond/North Elmsley’s official sources of information. They are updated regularly.

For more information, contact:

Reid Shepherd, Emergency Information Officer
Township of Drummond/North Elmsley, 310 Port Elmsley Road Perth, Ontario K7H 3C7
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Phone: 267-6500 ext. 230
Website: www.dnetownship.ca

2019 Flooding

Electrical Hazards in Flood Affected Areas

For more information on flooding please visit the health unit website or call the Health ACTION Line at 1-800-660-5853.

FLOODING REPORTS

Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority

MISSISSIPPI RIVER WATERSHED - FLOOD OUTLOOK - March 30, 2026

A Flood Outlook Statement – is to provide early notice of the potential for flooding based on weather forecasts calling for heavy rain, snowmelt, high wind or other conditions that could lead to high runoff, cause ice jams, lakeshore flooding or erosion.

This is an update to the Water Safety Statement for the Mississippi and Carp River watersheds issued March 17, 2026.

Weather Forecast: A series of low pressure systems will bring mild temperatures and unsettled weather this week. Air temperatures are expected to remain consistently above zero with limited overnight cooling. Successive days with daytime highs above zero are forecast across the watersheds, starting today and throughout the week, with some days peaking at or above 10°C. Widespread rainfall is also expected during this period, with forecasts estimating between 20 to 50 mm.

Watershed Conditions: A brief warming period in early March initiated freshet conditions across the watershed. Subsequent cooler temperatures allowed water levels and flows to recede to near-normal levels. Current snowpack conditions are within the typical range for this time of year, with notable snow water equivalent remaining in the upper watershed.

Forecasted warmer temperatures and rainfall are expected to accelerate the melt of remaining snowpack. This combination may trigger a second freshet peak, with snowmelt and precipitation contributing to rising water levels and flows in local water bodies. The magnitude of these increases will depend on actual temperature and precipitation amounts. Unstable ice conditions are likely present across the watershed, increasing the potential for ice jams during breakup.

Risks:Rivers and streams may experience higher water levels, fast flowing water and slippery or unstable banks. Lake and river ice may weaken, mobilize, and elevate the risk for localized ice jam formation.

Actions: Residents are reminded to exercise extreme caution near all water bodies due to high flows and slippery conditions. Parents are encouraged to remind children about these dangers and provide appropriate supervision.

Residents in flood prone areas are advised to maintain close watch on water levels and flows and take the necessary precautions to protect their property by:

• Ensuring sump pumps are clear, in good working condition and have a backwater valve.
• Having a portable generator and backup pump available.
• Ensuring downspouts are clear and the outlet is at least 3 meters from any structure.
• Removing or securing items that might float away if flows increase.
• Removing valuable items from basements or lower floors that could be subject to flooding.
• Keeping emergency phone numbers handy.
• Familiarizing yourself with your municipality’s emergency preparedness plan.

Duration: This message is in effect until April 8, 2026 or until an update has been issued.

For More Information: Daily water levels and flows are available on the MVCA website at www.mvc.on.ca/water-levels. For more information, contact:

MVCA Water Management

613-253-0006 ext. 248

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

NEWSROOMS PLEASE NOTE:

A Watershed Conditions Statement is NOT a flood warning. Its purpose is to raise public awareness about a change or potential change in watershed conditions.

See below for watershed conditions terminology:

Watershed Conditions Statement: General notice of weather conditions that could pose a risk to personal safety or which have the potential to lead to flooding. There are two variations of these:

• Water Safety Statement: High flows, unsafe banks, melting ice or other factors could be dangerous for recreational users such as anglers, canoeists, hikers, children, pets, etc. Flooding is not expected.
• Flood Outlook Statement: Early notice of the potential for flooding based on weather forecasts calling for heavy rain, snowmelt, high wind or other conditions that could lead to high runoff, cause ice jams, lakeshore flooding or erosion.

Flood Watch: Flooding is possible in specific watercourses or municipalities. Municipalities, emergency services and individual landowners in flood-prone areas should prepare.

Flood Warning: Flooding is imminent or already occurring in specific watercourses or municipalities. Municipalities and individuals should act to deal with flood conditions. This may include road closures and evacuations.

Changes to the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act require municipalities to maintain a registry of all declarations made under this Act. The registry must include the original written declaration provided by the member of Council and must be available to the public.

A tabular version of the registry is available online, sorted by Member of Council name which provides the Member’s name, the date of the meeting where the declaration was made, where the declaration was made (Council or Committee name) and the nature of the declaration from the form submitted by the Member.

Declaration of Interest Registry 

Always drain your pool properly, so as not to harm the environment!

The Swimming Pool By-law states, "No person shall construct or place a pool on his or her property without first obtaining a Pool Permit.

John Matheson is a newly elected Deputy Reeve. John was born and raised on a family farm in Drummond Township.

John farmed in Drummond Centre were he proudly raised his 3 sons while working for 34 years at Brewers Retail, after retiring John and his wife Ewa moved to a new home on the Tennyson Road.

John was a director of the Cattlemans Association, president of the Perth Blue Wings Junior B team, a member and volunteer of the Perth Civitan, and volunteer for minor hockey and baseball.

I feel privileged to have been elected to serve the good people of DNE.

Elected to first term 2018.

Paul was raised in North Elmsley Township just outside of Rideau Ferry, attended North Elmsley Public School and PDCI. After graduating college in Environmental Technology he was employed by the Ministry of Environment. He was a Provincial Officer with the Ministry for over 30 years as an Environmental Officer in various locations within the province and as a District Supervisor in Ottawa. His latest position was with the Ministry of Natural Resources as an Area Supervisor in Kingston. After his retirement he worked part time for Pinchin Ltd an environmental consulting firm as a Municipal Advisor to communities in Northern Ontario until his election in 2018. 

Paul has been a long-time community volunteer with 1st Drummond Scouts and throughout the area. He currently is the Warden of the Whispering Pines Scout Camp on Otty Lake.  
 
He and his wife, Joy have three children and have lived on a small farm off the Tennyson Road for the past 32 years. 
 
He is looking forward to the opportunity to continue to serve the residents of the Township for another term.

Voting Day was Monday, October 22, 2018

The new Council takes office on December 1, 2018 for a four year term ending November 14, 2022.

 Quentin Norword - Information not provided Notice of default issued

Official Results

School Board Elections

Download 2018 Municipal Elections Official Results

Community Food Calendars are now available for Perth, Smiths Falls, Almonte, Carleton Place and Lanark Highlands, Brockville, and Rural Leeds Grenville.  The calendar includes location and dates for Community Meals and Food Banks.

Click on a location to download your Community Food Calendar.

• Almonte Opens in new window
• Brockville Opens in new window
• Carleton Place  Opens in new window
• Lanark Highlands Opens in new window
• Perth Opens in new window
• Rural Leeds & Grenville Opens in new window
• Smiths Falls Opens in new window

Community Food Calendars are now available for Perth, Smiths Falls, Almonte, Carleton Place and Lanark Highlands, Brockville, and Rural Leeds Grenville.  The calendar includes location and dates for Community Meals and Food Banks.

Click on a location to download your Community Food Calendar.

• Almonte
• Brockville
• Carleton Place 
• Lanark Highlands
• Perth
• Rural Leeds & Grenville
• Smiths Falls