Public Information Centre Planned for Brantford Ice Jam Mitigation Class Environmental Assessment

The Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA) is hosting a Public Information Centre for the Brantford Ice Jam Mitigation Class Environmental Assessment (EA) on February 11, 2026, from 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. at the Brantford City Hall Council Chambers (58 Dalhousie St, Brantford).

The information session will include a presentation of study findings beginning at 4:00 p.m., followed by an open house, where members of the project team will be available to answer questions. The focus of this session is to share background information on the project and study area, present the evaluation of alternative solutions, and gather feedback from the public.

The GRCA, with the help of a consultant and in collaboration with the City of Brantford, initiated a Class Environmental Assessment (EA) in the spring of 2025 to investigate methods to reduce impacts from ice jam flooding on the Grand River in Brantford.

"This Class EA is a continuation of previous studies to help us better understand the causes of ice jam flooding in the City of Brantford, as well as potential solutions,” says Katelyn Lynch, GRCA Director of Water Infrastructure. “This study will help us advance a preferred management strategy to mitigate the impacts of ice jams in Brantford.”

The study area is located along the reach of the Grand River through the City of Brantford, with the primary study area centred on the Gilkison Flats reach, around Two Fish Island, and around the bend at Tutela Heights. The project will be carried out under the Class EA for Remedial Flood and Erosion Control Projects document (Conservation Ontario, amended February 2024).

Background

A significant ice jam event occurred in 2018 that resulted in extensive damages to public and private infrastructure and evacuations of thousands of Brantford residents. In 2019, KGS completed a study that included a history of ice jams in Brantford, meteorological conditions contributing to the 2018 ice jam, a description of the 2017-2018 winter ice jam, river ice analysis, and potential ice jam mitigation options.

In 2021, ERI (now Montrose Environmental) completed an Ice Jam Mitigation Feasibility study to develop a list of alternative mitigation measures to reduce ice jam potential in Brantford. Ten alternatives were carried forward for evaluation as part of the feasibility study. The ERI feasibility study laid the groundwork for the Class EA study to further evaluate the carried forward alternatives and select a preferred management strategy.

The purpose of this Class EA is to further advance the preferred management strategy to detailed design and construction, which would be completed in subsequent phases. Public and First Nations engagement will be a part of any future projects.

More information about the project is available on the Brantford Ice Jam Study webpage on the GRCA website.

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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