NEWS RELEASE
GRAND RIVER CONSERVATION AUTHORITY
*************************
Communities throughout the Grand River watershed continue to experience the effects of a weather system that moved into the area on Monday, bringing heavy rainfall and warm temperatures with it.
This combination resulted in significant runoff into the river system and caused ice jams to form and release in a number of areas.
Flows will continue to increase through the southern Grand River, below Brantford, on Thursday and will remain high for the coming week. A significant ice jam remains in place in Brantford. GRCA staff continue to monitor this situation.
Flood Warning
Township of Puslinch/Wellington County: Puslinch and Wellington County Flood Coordinators should continue to monitor conditions along the Eramosa River. Ice jams remain in place at Cooks Mill Road and Indian Trail, causing water to impact roads and properties in the area. These ice jams should be monitored closely and precautions should be taken to notify any residents in the immediate area of the ice jams.
Township of Woolwich / St. Jacobs / West Montrose: Flood coordinators in Woolwich Township are asked to monitor conditions and maintain the closure of Three Bridges road. Flows will remain high through the remainder of the week.
City of Cambridge: Flows in the Grand River through Cambridge will remain high for the next week. Flood coordinators are asked to monitor conditions along the Speed River maintain the closure of Blackbridge Road due to elevated river flows through Friday.
Township of Blandford-Blenheim – Wolverton: Flows continue to recede on the Nith River through the community of Wolverton but will remain high for the remainder of the week.
Township of North Dumfries - Ayr: Flows continue to recede through the community of Ayr but will remain high for the remainder of the week.
Brant County: The flood coordinators for Brant County are asked to continue to monitor conditions along the Grand River as flows will remain high for the next week.
City of Brantford: A significant ice jam remains in place in the Grand River in Brantford. The leading (downstream) edge of this ice jam is currently located in the Tutela Heights reach, just beyond the Bell Homestead. The tailing (upstream) edge of the ice jam is located just south of Gladstone Avenue. This ice jam could block or release without warning, resulting in sudden increases in water levels. Residents should follow the direction of municipal staff and stay away from all waterways due to the extreme safety risk at this time.
Six Nations/Haldimand County – Caledonia: Flows on the Grand River through Six Nations and Caledonia in Haldimand County will remain high for the next week. Ice jams currently in place in Brantford may release, resulting in a surge of water and debris that will move downstream and rapidly increase flows in the area. Six Nations and Haldimand County flood coordinators should closely monitor conditions along the Grand River and ensure residents are aware of the potential risk.
Haldimand County – Cayuga: Flows on the Grand River through Cayuga will remain high for the rest of the week. An ice jam that was in place in Cayuga has released and moved downstream. Haldimand County flood coordinators are asked to continue to monitor conditions and be aware of the potential risk of significant flooding as a result of upstream ice jam in Brantford. This jam may release suddenly and without warning, sending large volumes of ice and debris downstream.
Town of Dunnville/Port Maitland: Canadian Coast Guard icebreaking operations resumed today in the mouth of the Grand River and Lake Erie. This action has helped reduce the potential for ice jams at this location. Haldimand County flood coordinators are asked to continue to monitor conditions and be aware of the potential risk of significant flooding as a result of upstream ice jam in Brantford. This jam may release suddenly and without warning, sending large volumes of ice and debris downstream.
Flood Watch
Town of Grand Valley / Waldemar: Flows are receding through Grand Valley. A Flood Warning has been cancelled for this area, but a Flood Watch remains in effect as river flows will remain high through the remainder of the week.
Township of Mapleton/Drayton: Flows are receding through Drayton. A Flood Warning has been cancelled for this area, but a Flood Watch remains in effect as river flows will remain high through the remainder of the week.
Township of Wilmot – New Hamburg: Flows are receding through New Hamburg. A Flood Warning has been cancelled for this area, but a Flood Watch remains in effect as river flows will remain high through the remainder of the week.
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 will be extremely unsafe as a result of the warming trend.
This message will remain in effect until 3:00 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 23, 2018. 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.
