Flood Damage Assessment Study

Grand Valley, Waldemar and Drayton Flood Damage Assessment Study   

Funded in part through Canada’s National Disaster Mitigation Program (NDMP), the Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA) has completed  a Flood Damage Assessment Study for the communities of Grand Valley, Waldemar and Drayton. The objectives of the study were to estimate average annual flood damages in the three communities and to update flood hazard mapping through the Village of Drayton.

These three communities are high-risk flood damage centres, given they are located high in their drainage basins (meaning short response times to flooding), limited flood control infrastructure upstream, and the historic development in the floodplain. They are routinely subjected to nuisance flooding and have experienced consequential events in the recent past, notably in 2017, 2018, and 2020.

As part of the study, field work and background information review is expected to include the collection of bathymetric topography (i.e., the surface of the ground underwater), mapping and surveys of selected existing flood-prone buildings and infrastructure, and data related to recent flooding.

The results of this study will help the GRCA, the municipalities, and the property owners better understand and quantify flood-related impacts in these communities and may be used in possible future studies to assess the feasibility (i.e., cost benefits) of potential mitigation options to reduce flood damages.

A Flood Damage Assessment Study for Grand Valley, Waldemar and Drayton started in 2022.

A Public Information Centre (PIC) on the results of the Flood Damage Assessment Study for Grand Valley and Waldemar was held on June 22, 2026 at the Grand Valley and District Community Centre.

The presentation on the results from the Flood Damage Assessment Study for Grand Valley and Waldemar is below.

Grand Valley And Waldemar FDA Study Presentation

Information regarding the study results for Drayton was not covered.

If you require accommodations or have questions regarding accessibility, please reach out to:

Kimiko Chhapyan
Water Management Administrative Assistant
kchhapyan@grandriver.ca
(519) 621-2763 extension 2324

As valuable information for the study, the GRCA sought input from community residents and businesses via a survey, which gathered information related to the characteristics of buildings in areas of flood risk (e.g., whether basements are finished), types of flooding residents have experienced (river-related or sewer back-up), and damages and costs associated with floods.

Thank you to those that participated.

This project will result in new floodplain modelling and mapping for the Conestogo River and near shore areas in Drayton. This information may result in amendments to the GRCA’s regulated area mapping under Ontario Regulation 41/24 of the Conservation Authorities Act. 

The new floodplain model and mapping will also support review and potential future updates of flood warning zone mapping for Drayton.  

Consultation on any changes to the regulatory floodplain and regulated area mapping will be held during the PIC that will be held for this study in the Village of Drayton.

The National Disaster Mitigation Program is a federal program established in 2015 with the aim of reducing the impacts of natural disasters on Canadians. The NDMP was established to reduce the impacts of natural disasters on Canadians by focusing investments on significant, recurring flood risk and costs, and advancing work to facilitate private residential insurance for overland flooding.

Contact Us

Grand River Conservation Authority
400 Clyde Road, PO Box 729
Cambridge, ON
N1R 5W6
Phone: 519-621-2761
Toll Free: 1-866-900-4722
grca@grandriver.ca