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Conservation authority issues flood warnings, watches

Flood warnings issued for Grand River Valley and Conestogo River. A flood watch has been issued for the Grand River watershed area
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NEWS RELEASE

GRAND RIVER CONSERVATION AUTHORITY

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Flood message #1 – Combined flood warning and flood watch

Flood warning for the Village of Grand Valley and the St. Jacob Low Level Bridge in Woolwich Township; Flood watch for the remainder of the Grand River watershed

Warm temperatures moved into the Grand River watershed yesterday and overnight temperatures remained well above freezing. This combined with very mild temperatures today has triggered much of the remaining snow pack to melt. Rivers and streams across the watershed have responded. In the northern portion of the watershed, levels started to rise overnight and are continuing to rise today.

Flood Warnings

Grand River Grand Valley

Based on current flow conditions, the GRCA is issuing a flood warning to the Village of Grand Valley to close Hwy 25 through Grand Valley. Levels are expected to flood the low lying portion of Hwy 25 through Grand Valley later this afternoon and the highway will likely remain closed well into the evening.

Conestogo River – St. Jacob Low Level Bridge (1505 Three Bridges Road, Woolwich Township)

Access to the St. Jacob Low Level Bridge is currently blocked due to flooding, and it will remain closed upstream of St. Jacob at 1505 Three Bridge Road through the weekend until flows in the Conestogo River recede.

Flood Watch - Grand River Watershed

A flood watch is issued for the Grand River watershed. River flows will remain high through the weekend and into next week. No major flooding is anticipated at this time; however, flooding of low lying areas adjacent to the river that normally flood can be expected.

The major reservoirs at Belwood, Conestogo, Guelph, Luther, Woolwich, Laurel, and Shades are being used to manage runoff and reduce downstream flooding.

Rain is in the forecast for Friday as a new weather system moves into the watershed. Runoff from rainfall will further increase water levels. While major flooding is not anticipated, conditions will be monitored closely and additional messages issued as needed. 

This message will remain in effect until noon on Monday, February 27, 2017.

Stay Safe

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 have been weakened as a result of the warming conditions.

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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