GRAND RIVER CONSERVATION AUTHORITY
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GRCA flood message #1: Flood warning/flood watch
The Grand River Conservation Authority is issuing the following combined flood warning/flood watch message.
Warm temperatures combined with between 10-20 mm of rainfall across the Grand River watershed over the past 24 hours has resulted in snowmelt and increased runoff into local waterways.
Despite cooler temperatures forecast through Thursday morning, flows on local waterways throughout the Grand River watershed will remain elevated through the rest of the week. Ice on local waterways, where it still exists, may break up and shift during this event, increasing the risk of ice jam flooding.
Runoff from this weather event will result in flooding in low-lying areas typically prone to spring flooding. Conditions will continue to be monitored closely.
A flood warning is being issued for Nith River (New Hamburg and Ayr):
- Flows in the Nith River through New Hamburg are expected to peak in Flood Warning Zone 1 overnight Tuesday based on the current forecast.
- Flows through Ayr are expected to peak Wednesday evening in Flood Warning Zone 1.
- Municipal Flood Coordinators in these communities are advised to warn affected residents.
Conestogo River (Drayton):
- Flows in the upper Conestogo River are expected to reach Flood Warning Zone 1 and will peak late Tuesday evening.
- Flood Coordinators are advised to monitor conditions and warn residents as needed.
Conestogo River (St. Jacobs):
- The low-level bridge at 1505 Three Bridges Road was closed on Monday evening and will remain closed until flows recede.
- A Flood Watch is being issued for the remainder of the Grand River watershed due to the runoff and potential for additional ice movement.
- GRCA’s major reservoirs at Belwood, Conestogo, Guelph, Luther, Woolwich, Laurel, and Shade’s Mills are being used to store runoff from this event and reduce flooding downstream of these reservoirs.
Ice fishing has now been closed for the season at all GRCA conservation areas.
The public is reminded to exercise extreme caution around all water bodies. Banks adjacent to rivers and creeks are very slippery at this time and, when combined with current weather conditions, pose a serious hazard. Parents are encouraged to keep their children and pets away from all watercourses and off frozen water bodies, which will be weakened as a result of the warming trend.
This message will remain in effect until 4 p.m. on Thursday, March 12, 2020. Updated flood messages will be issued as conditions develop and better forecast information becomes available.
More information
- For more information on flows, weather and reservoir conditions see the River Data section of the GRCA website.
- Safety information for parents and children is available in the GRCA’s River Safety Rules booklet.
- More information on the flood warning system is available on the GRCA website.
- Receive GRCA flood messages by e-mail by subscribing through the GRCA website.
- Follow GRCA flood messages on Twitter at grca_flood_msg.
- More information about how the GRCA manages floods is available in the Flooding section of the website.
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