GRCA Watershed Conditions Statement – Water Safety

Elevated water levels and river flows

The mild and wet weather earlier this week has led to increased water levels and river flows as runoff moves through the watershed, with another 5 to 15 mm of rain forecasted for Friday. Water levels and river flows may remain elevated into next week as runoff moves through the watershed. River flows in local waterways may be higher than normal for this time of year, increasing the risk in low-lying areas typically prone to flooding.

Risk of ice jams

While ice conditions are less significant than they were in 2018 and 2019, much of the river system is ice covered and the potential for ice jams to form exists. As ice moves through the rivers there is the risk of ice jams in slow moving sections of the river, which can cause sudden and localized flooding particularly as water levels increase in areas that are prone to ice jams.

Lake Erie is mostly ice covered, increasing the risk of ice jam related flooding at the mouth of the Grand River.

Stay safe and stay off frozen water bodies

Use of rivers, reservoirs and ponds for on-ice activities such as skating and ice fishing may be dangerous due to weak ice conditions. Ice fishing at Belwood Lake, Guelph Lake, Shade’s Mills and Pinehurst Lake conservation areas is now closed. Ice will be monitored and ice fishing at these Conservation Areas may be reopened if conditions allow. Please check the GRCA Conservation Area Activities Status webpage for the real-time status of available activities at Grand River Conservation Areas.

The ice on local rivers and other water bodies can be very unsafe. The runoff and high water levels may have weakened the ice and lifted it away from shorelines. The ice can break easily and should not be used for any winter activities. Higher flows will continue to weaken ice sheets where they have formed.

The public is encouraged to exercise extreme caution around all local waterways and is strongly advised to stay off all ice. Parents and caregivers should keep children and pets away from the water and off the ice. Banks adjacent to rivers and creeks are very slippery and, when combined with cold, fast-moving water, pose a serious hazard. Recreational users near local waterways should be aware of the current conditions and exercise additional caution.

This message will remain in effect until 12:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 5, 2026.

More information

• For more information on flows, weather and reservoir conditions see the River Data section of the GRCA website.
• More information on the flood warning system is available on the GRCA website.
• Receive GRCA flood messages by e-mail by subscribing through the GRCA website.
• Follow GRCA flood messages on X at grca_flood_msg.
• More information about how the GRCA’s role in managing floods is available in the Flooding section of the website.
• Copies of the GRCA’s River Safety Rules booklet is available by contacting the GRCA Administration Centre.

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Media contacts:

Serena Catania, GRCA Supervisor of Communications and Marketing

Phone 519-621-2763 x2240 | Cell 226-755-0869 | Email scatania@grandriver.ca

Lisa Stocco, GRCA Director of Strategic Communications and Environmental Education

Phone 519-621-2763 x2316 | Cell 226-755-3414 | Email lstocco@grandriver.ca