Conestogo Dam rehabilitation project continues

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.

The 2025 drawdown of the reservoir will start earlier than in 2024 to provide enough time for the contractor to complete the necessary repairs. The GRCA intends to keep reservoir elevation at or above the low flow operating target until after the Civic Holiday, August 5, 2025, to help ensure minimum flows downstream, which support the river’s municipal, ecological and recreational functions. The dam will continue to operate as intended throughout the duration of the project and provide its primary flood storage and flow augmentation functions.

Cottagers and recreational users of the Conestogo Lake reservoir should expect fluctuating water levels throughout the duration of the construction project. Water levels will be lower than what would be typical in a normal operating year. It is anticipated levels will be the same or lower than the summer and fall of 2024 to allow adequate time to complete this final stage of concrete repair on the upstream side of the dam.

During the months of June, July, and August, the reservoir level may drop by up to 20 cm per day. There will be no impacts to fisheries within the Conestogo Lake reservoir due to construction or draw down. The beach and boat launch at Conestogo Lake Conservation Area may be impacted or out of service earlier in the season than typical. It is anticipated that at least one of the boat launches will be operational until Labour Day, September 2, 2025, if conditions allow. Following September 2, 2025, the reservoir level may drop by up to 30 cm per day.

The schedule and operation of the reservoir is subject to change pending weather conditions or other unforeseen challenges.

One lane of Wellington Road 11 will be closed to accommodate the project and owners of the cottages on Conestogo Lake are being asked to monitor their properties throughout the project. Any impacts to GRCA operated boat launches will be posted on the service disruptions page of the GRCA website and more information is available on the project webpage.  

About Conestogo Dam and the project

Located about 30-minutes northwest of Elmira, the Conestogo Dam was built in 1958 and is one of seven multi-purpose dams built by the GRCA to help reduce the impact of flooding year-round and augment river flows during periods of low flow. Multiple projects have been completed to maintain and upgrade the dam over the years, including earlier phases of this multi-year comprehensive concrete rehabilitation project from 2019 to 2022 on the downstream walls. This phase of the project to repair the upstream walls is anticipated to conclude in December, 2025.

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Media Contacts:

Serena Catania, GRCA Supervisor of Communications and Marketing
Phone (519) 621-2763 x2240  |  Email scatania@grandriver.ca

Lisa Stocco, GRCA Director of Strategic Communications and Environmental Education
Phone 519-621-2763 x2316  |  Email lstocco@grandriver.ca