McKenzie Creek sub-watershed moves to Level 2 low water condition

Water users in parts of Brant County, Six Nations of the Grand River, Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, Haldimand County and Norfolk County in the McKenzie Creek sub-watershed are being asked to voluntarily reduce their water consumption by 20 per cent due to continued dry conditions. The current Level 2 low water condition declared for Whitemans Creek and Lower Nith sub-watersheds on August 29, 2025 remains in effect. The rest of the Grand River watershed remains in a Level 1 condition, as declared on August 22, 2025.

The call for the reduction came from the Grand River Low Water Response Team, which met in a conference call on September 18. With the lack of rain, stream flows have continued to drop in the McKenzie Creek sub-watershed, prompting the team to move this area to Level 2.

Under the Ontario Low Water Response Program, Level 1 results in a request for a voluntary 10 per cent reduction in water consumption by all water users. Level 2 conditions are declared when flows in a river or stream drop to less than 50 per cent of normal, which triggers the request for a voluntary reduction in water use of 20 per cent.

The request for the reduction affects water users in:

• McKenzie Creek: This sub-watershed includes southern Brant County near Scotland and Oakland, the northeastern corner of Norfolk County, much of the Six Nations of the Grand River and Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation reserves, and part of Haldimand County south of Caledonia.

The GRCA’s large reservoirs are below their normal operating range for this time of year, particularly Conestogo Lake reservoir, which has been drawn down to accommodate concrete repair on the upstream side of the Conestogo Dam. The GRCA is operating these reservoirs carefully to meet flow targets downstream, while keeping water in storage to continue to support flow augmentation. This augmentation helps municipalities that get some, or all, of their drinking water from the Grand River including the Region of Waterloo and the City of Brantford. Six Nations of the Grand River also gets some of its drinking water from the Grand River. Water from these reservoirs also supports the proper operation of sixteen wastewater treatment plants that discharge into the Grand, Speed and Conestogo rivers. The conditions of the reservoirs are being closely monitored.

Water conservation urged

The most significant action that residents can take to conserve water is to limit outdoor water use according to local bylaws, even if they have private water sources. Large water users are encouraged to use best practices to reduce consumption. More information on the Ontario Low Water Response Program and suggested actions that major water users can take to help conserve water is available on the Low Water Response section of the GRCA website.

-30-

Media Contacts:

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

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