News

The weather system that is travelling across the Grand River watershed today is expected to continue this evening, overnight and into tomorrow. Some areas in the watershed have already experienced 30-40 mm of rain in the last 12 hours, with another 20-30 mm of rain expected. Thunderstorms may further increase the amount of rainfall in localized areas.

No significant flooding is expected with this event. However, periods of heavy rain can cause flows in rivers and streams to increase quickly and without warning. While widespread riverine flooding is not expected, there may be some flooding in low lying areas near watercourses and in urban areas, if drainage systems are overwhelmed.

Two of Canada’s largest outdoor swimming pools will open for the season on Saturday, June 14, 2025.

The pools are operated by the Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA) and are located in the Brant Conservation Area (Brantford), and the Byng Island Conservation Area (Dunnville).

The Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA)’s popular Elora Quarry Conservation Area will be open for day use beginning June 12, 2025.

The online ticket system is now open to both the general public and Grand River Conservation Area membership pass holders. Tickets and parking permits must be purchased online and in advance.

The Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA) is holding a special, one-time, lottery for seasonal camp sites at Pinehurst lake Conservation Area, in Ayr, Ontario.

Due to the overwhelming popularity of this program, sites are allocated through a lottery system to ensure a fair opportunity for all camping enthusiasts. Typically, this lottery takes place in September, and sites fill quickly. However, eight seasonal camping sites have recently become available at Pinehurst Lake. This special one-time lottery will remain open from now until June 20, 2025, and anyone is welcome to apply.

The Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA) will delay filling the reservoir at the Wellington Street Dam, located in Royal City Park in Guelph due to the presence of a nesting bird (or bird nest) in an area that will be flooded with water if the reservoir is filled. The bird nest is protected by the Canadian Migratory Birds Convention Act and Regulation, which prohibits damage, destruction, disturbance or removal of the nest of a migratory bird that contains a live bird or viable egg.

As part of its ongoing maintenance program, the Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA) is continuing a comprehensive project to restore the concrete of the Conestogo Dam. This project is a continuation of work completed on the dam over the last several years to repair normal damage caused by regular weather and ice events. Work is scheduled to start on or around June 5, 2025, with setup of the site already underway.

The work completed in 2025 will be the same to that completed in 2024, except it will occur on the northern half of the upstream side (reservoir facing) of the dam. This method of construction requires the reservoir to be drawn down gradually to allow the contractor access to portions of the upstream face of the dam, and then time to complete repairs.

Repairs to the embankment at the Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA)’s Wellesley Dam are complete. The discharge gate has been returned to service, and the pond is currently filling. An engineering assessment of the concrete spillway structure has been completed. The initial results of the assessment indicate that although the structure is in fair condition overall and does not currently present any risk to dam safety or public safety, there are areas in poor condition that will require remediation in the near future. GRCA staff will continue regular inspections of the structure, including the concrete spillway. The length of time to fill the head pond will depend on weather conditions and inflows. GRCA staff have completed a wildlife scan of the area and have not identified any nesting animals or wildlife that would be negatively impacted by the filling of the head pond.

Additional repairs to the embankment at the Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA)’s Wellesley Dam will begin as early as Tuesday, May 20, 2025.

Engineering assessments were completed at the Wellesley Dam throughout April and May to provide recommendations to address the safety and stability of the structure. While emergency repairs were completed quickly following the weather event and high water levels in early April, further repairs to the embankment are required to address dam safety and public safety concerns identified in the assessments. An engineering assessment of the concrete spillway has been completed and the GRCA is awaiting results of this study to determine if additional repairs may be required.

The Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA) in partnership with the City of Brantford and County of Brant, welcomed 1,400 grade 4 students from Brantford, Brant and Six Nations of the Grand River for the 2025 Brantford-Brant Children's Water Festival. The three-day event ran May 13 to 15, 2025, at Mohawk Park in Brantford, and featured more than thirty fun, interactive activities, each with a message about water. Activity themes included: water science, protection, technology, attitudes, and conservation.

Due to repairs currently underway on the Speed River at the confluence with the Eramosa River, the Grand River Conservation Authority will be leaving the gates open at its Wellington Street Dam, located in Royal City Park in Guelph. This will result in lower-than-usual water levels until repairs are completed.