NOTICE: Low water levels expected in Wellesley Pond due to emergency dam operations

Overnight on Wednesday, April 2, 2025, and into Thursday, April 3, a significant amount of rainfall was received throughout the Grand River watershed including in the area near and upstream of the Township of Wellesley. This resulted in higher-than-normal inflows to Wellesley Pond.

GRCA staff operated the discharge gate at Wellesley Dam starting Wednesday evening, and high discharges were maintained throughout the night and into Thursday.

The extremely high water levels resulted in damage to the discharge gate equipment at Wellesley Dam. The GRCA is currently working to complete emergency repairs to the gate equipment, which will continue on Friday, April 4.

This is being treated as a dam emergency. Until the repairs are completed the discharge gate will be left open to protect the integrity of the dam. As a result, the levels in Wellesley Pond will continue to drop Thursday evening and into Friday, April 4.

A low-flow channel will be maintained through the pond at all times. GRCA staff are preparing to mobilize to the site as early as possible, the morning of Friday, April 4, to assist or relocate any fish or wildlife that may become stranded as the water levels decrease.

The pedestrian path that runs across Wellesley Dam in the Township of Wellesley has been closed due to the flooding-related impacts in the area. It will remain closed until further notice and the public is asked to obey all signage.