Water levels in the Grand River watershed remained high and rising on Saturday, as rain continued to fall steadily throughout the region.
Guelph saw more rain overnight and throughout the morning and afternoon Saturday. That rain contributed to the further swelling of water levels.
The Grand River Conservation Authority issued a combined flood warning and flood watch for much of the watershed on Friday, indicating that continuing rains would pose a flood risk to low-lying trailer parks, campgrounds and parts of some communities in the watershed.
Up to 100 mm of rain has fallen in some areas in the last roughly 36 hours, with 40-50 mm common. The rain is expected to taper off in Guelph by Saturday evening.
Flood warnings remain in effect for the Conestogo River at St. Jacob Low Level Bridge, which has been closed. The Blackbridge Road bridge in Cambridge has been closed due to high water on the Speed River.
The Speed is unusually high and rapid through Guelph. A walking survey of the river Saturday morning between Edinburgh Road S. and Gordon Street, showed it is close to spilling its banks through Silvercreek Park. The Eramosa east of Guelph is also very high and deep.
The GRCA has warned that the Nith River in New Hamburg and Ayr could flood. The people of Brantford are on alert for potenital flooding of the Grand River through that city south of Guelph. The GRCA is using reservoirs throughout the watershed, including Guelph Lake, to manage runoff and reduce downstream flooding.
Banks along rivers, streams and reservoirs are very muddy and slippery, and extreme caution is advised. The water is moving fast in the Speed and Eramosa rivers, and it is very cold.
