GRCA to complete tree removal ahead of upcoming project at Wellington Street Dam in Guelph

The Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA) will be removing trees along the Royal Recreation Trail in the City of Guelph on Friday, March 20, 2026. The tree removal, to be conducted by a contractor, is in preparation for a construction project to repair a retaining wall downstream of the GRCA’s Wellington Street Dam, scheduled to begin in the summer or fall of 2026 pending final plans and approvals.

A portion of the trail, between McCrae Blvd and Edinburgh Rd, will be closed for the duration of the tree removal work, which is anticipated to be completed in one day, weather conditions permitting. The public is reminded to avoid the area and heed all posted safety signage during the work.    

Approximately 30 trees will be removed to allow the contractor to access the retaining wall to complete the construction project later this year. A tree inventory of the area has been completed, and the majority of trees being removed are non-native species. In collaboration with the City of Guelph, the GRCA has developed a tree preservation plan for protecting the remaining trees during the construction project later this year. While the area will be cleared of debris, stumps will be left in the ground for the time being and the area will remain fenced until the Wellington Street Dam retaining wall repair has been completed.

Following that, the GRCA will be restoring the natural area along the Speed River and planting at least 30 native species trees in consultation with the City.

Wellington Street Dam – Retaining Wall Repair

The GRCA regularly inspects its water control infrastructure as part of its dam safety and maintenance program. The retaining wall on the downstream side of Wellington Street Dam has been identified as needing repair in the interest of public safety. The retaining wall construction project will result in a longer closure of the Royal Recreation Trail between Edinburgh and the dam in the summer and/or fall of 2026.

The GRCA’s Wellington Street Dam gates are typically opened in late October and left open until mid-May to provide additional water flow capacity, in anticipation of higher flows and possible flooding conditions. The gates are closed in the spring, to create a headwater pond that serves as a community amenity / aesthetic feature during the summer months. The GRCA anticipates normal operation of the dam gates and does not anticipate the need to artificially lower water levels to complete the retaining wall construction this summer.

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Media contacts:

Serena Catania, Supervisor, Communications and Marketing, GRCA

Phone 519-621-2763 x2240  |  Email scatania@grandriver.ca