Flooding

One of the most important strategic priorities of the GRCA is protecting life and minimizing property damage from flooding and erosion.

The Grand River system has a long history of flooding. Floods can occur in all seasons: during the spring melt, following major rainstorms in summer and fall, and during a rapid melt or because of an ice jam in the winter. (You can see historical flooding photos on our Flickr page.)

The GRCA manages flood risk by:

• monitoring weather conditions and river flows to know when flooding is possible;
• issuing flood messages to alert municipal flood coordinators and the public about coming high water;
• operating seven dams and reservoirs to hold water and reduce flood peaks;
• owning and maintaining dikes to protect low-lying areas in Kitchener (Bridgeport), Cambridge (Galt) and Brantford; and
• controlling development in flood-prone areas to reduce potential property damage.

Flood warning system

Learn more about GRCA flood messages and how you can receive them directly on our Flood warning system page.

Preparing for floods

Learn how what you can do to deal with floods on our Preparing for floods page.

More information

Read brochures and visit other websites to learn more about flooding.