Update: Conestogo Dam rehabilitation project continues

As part of its ongoing maintenance program, the Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA) is continuing a comprehensive project to restore the concrete of the Conestogo Dam. This project is a continuation of work completed on the dam over the last several years to repair normal damage caused by regular weather and ice events. The construction requires the reservoir to be drawn down gradually to allow the contractor access to portions of the upstream face of the dam, and then time to complete repairs.

As a result, the West (shorter) boat launch at Conestogo Lake Conservation Area will be out of service for the remainder of the season beginning Saturday, August 23, 2025. This is due to lower-than-normal water levels for this time of year to facilitate the concrete repairs.

It is planned that the East (longer) boat launch will remain in service until Labour Day, Monday, September 1, 2025. Increased draw down of water levels starting on September 2 will result in the closure of this boat launch shortly after Labour Day.

Boaters and cottagers are advised to make plans to remove boats before September 2. Drawdown of the reservoir may be impacted by weather or downstream flow requirements. Should there be any changes to the schedule, the project webpage will be updated and notifications will be sent. One lane of Wellington Road 11 is closed to accommodate the project and owners of the cottages on Conestogo Lake are being asked to monitor their properties throughout the project.

About Conestogo Dam and the project

Located about 30-minutes northwest of Elmira, the Conestogo Dam was built in 1958 and is one of seven multi-purpose dams built by the GRCA to help reduce the impact of flooding year-round and augment river flows during periods of low flow. Multiple projects have been completed to maintain and upgrade the dam over the years, including earlier phases of this multi-year comprehensive concrete rehabilitation project from 2019 to 2022 on the downstream walls. This phase of the project to repair the upstream walls is anticipated to conclude in December, 2025.

The dam will continue to operate as intended throughout the duration of the project and provide its primary flood storage and flow augmentation functions.

For more information on the project please visit the project webpage or read the June 2, 2025 news release.

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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