NEWS RELEASE
GRAND RIVER CONSERVATION AUTHORITY
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The Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA) is issuing a Flood Warning for Drayton, Grand Valley, Waldemar, West Montrose, New Hamburg, Ayr, Six Nations and Brantford and a Flood Watch remains in effect for the remainder of the Grand River watershed.
Weather forecast
Temperatures in the watershed have increased to above freezing and are expected to reach double digits Saturday, March 15, and remain high throughout the weekend. A Colorado low system is moving across the watershed on Saturday and Sunday, bringing approximately 25 to 30 mm of rain. Environment Canada has issued a special weather statement for the Grand River watershed, indicating the risk of thunderstorms as the low-pressure system passes through. The snowpack in the northern part of the watershed still contains a significant amount of water content. Warm temperatures combined with rain, which may be heavy at times, is resulting in snowmelt and increased runoff.
Flood Warning Message for Drayton
River flows are expected to reach Flood Warning Zone 2 in Drayton during the evening of Saturday, March 15, and into the early hours of Sunday, March 16. Municipal flood coordinators in the Township of Mapleton have been advised to notify affected properties and monitor conditions. Residents are encouraged to refer to the guide on the GRCA’s website for information regarding flood warning zones.
Flood Warning Message for Grand Valley and Waldemar
River flows are expected to reach levels similar to June 2017 and Jan. 2020, during the early hours of Sunday, March 16. Municipal flood coordinators in Grand Valley and Waldemar have been advised to notify affected properties and monitor conditions.
Flood Warning Message for West Montrose
River flows are expected to reach Flood Warning Zone 1 in West Montrose during the late evening of Saturday, March 15, and may extend to Flood Warning Zone 2 into the early hours of Sunday, March 16. Municipal flood coordinators in the Township of Woolwich have been advised to notify affected properties and monitor conditions. Residents are encouraged to refer to the guide on the GRCA’s website for information regarding flood warning zones.
Flood Warning Message for New Hamburg
River flows are expected to reach Flood Warning Zone 1 in New Hamburg during the evening of Saturday, March 15, and may extend to Flood Warning Zone 2 the morning of Sunday, March 16. Municipal flood coordinators in the Township of Wilmot have been advised to notify affected properties and monitor conditions. Residents are encouraged to refer to the guide on the GRCA’s website for information regarding flood warning zones.
Flood Warning Message for Ayr
River flows are expected to reach Flood Warning Zone 1 in Ayr during the early morning hours of Sunday, March 16, and may extend to Flood Warning Zone 2 on Sunday afternoon. Municipal flood coordinators in the Township of North Dumfries have been advised to notify affected properties and monitor conditions. Residents are encouraged to refer to the guide on the GRCA’s website for information regarding flood warning zones.
Flood Warning Message for Six Nations
River flows are expected to reach flooding thresholds for 4th Line and Bateman Line the morning of Sunday, March 16. Municipal flood coordinators in Six Nations and Brant County have been advised to notify affected properties and monitor conditions.
Flood Warning Message for Brantford
River flows are expected to reach flooding thresholds for Gilkinson Street on the afternoon of Sunday, March 16. Municipal flood coordinators in Brantford have been advised to notify affected properties and monitor conditions.
Flood Watch for the remainder of the Grand River watershed
The snowpack across the watershed has been melting from recent warm temperatures, which has led to increased water levels. Higher flows in local waterways combined with runoff from this event will increase the risk of flooding in low-lying areas typically prone to flooding. In particular, municipal flood coordinators in Elora, Caledonia, Cayuga and Dunnville should be aware of these conditions and take appropriate precautions.
GRCA Reservoirs
The major reservoirs at Belwood, Conestogo, Guelph, Luther, Woolwich, Laurel, and Shade’s are at normal levels for this time of year and have storage available to help reduce the impact of downstream flooding.
Stay safe
High flows and unstable ice conditions will increase the safety risk around rivers and streams throughout the watershed. The public is encouraged to exercise extreme caution around all local waterways. Parents are reminded to keep their children and pets away from all watercourses. The public is reminded to stay off of all ice-covered waterbodies, due to unsafe conditions.
River conditions and forecasts are being monitored closely, and any additional flood messages will be issued as needed.
This message will remain in effect until noon on Wednesday, March 19.
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