News

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.

The Grand River Conservation Foundation (GRCF) is offering two scholarships in 2025 for post-secondary students enrolled in an environmental field of study, including a one-time scholarship valued at $9,500 in celebration of GRCF supporter Murray McEwen’s 95^th birthday.

The Grand River watershed experienced a mixed precipitation event from April 2 to April 3, 2025, that included significant amounts of overall precipitation. The extremely high water levels resulted in damage to the Grand River Conservation Authority’s (GRCA’s) Wellesley and Baden dams. Emergency repairs were initiated, and both sites were stabilized within hours of the dam safety incidents being identified. While initial repairs are complete, additional work will be required to address stability and public safety deficiencies with both of these structures.

The Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA) is taking proactive steps to ensure the safety of water enthusiasts who enjoy activities on local reservoirs and waterways. As part of its annual procedures, the GRCA has begun the installation of public safety devices, specifically warning booms and buoys, upstream of GRCA-owned dams to alert paddlers, anglers and boaters to stay away.

The extremely high water flows passing through the dam resulted in damage to the discharge gate operation equipment. While the repairs to the gate operation equipment are complete, additional stability and public safety deficiencies have been noted. As a result, the GRCA is in the process of completing additional assessments, which require that the pond remain drained for the time being.

Community groups and elementary schools can now apply for funding through Community Conservation Grants program offered by the Grand River Conservation Authority and Grand River Conservation Foundation.

The Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA) is planning three prescribed burns for some time between mid and late April. The three burns will occur at FWR Dickson Wilderness Area, Brant Conservation Area and a property along Birkett Lane in the City of Brantford. The exact date of each burn is unknown, since the burn must take place when weather conditions allow. The goal of these prescribed burns is to promote a native grassland habitat by reducing non-native grasses and woody plants.

The Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA), with the help of a consultant and in collaboration with the City of Brantford, is undertaking a Class Environmental Assessment (EA) for the Brantford Ice Jam Mitigation Study.