Flood warning continues for southern Grand River, flood watch for northern Grand River

Flood warnings continue for the areas of Cambridge, Brantford and Haldimand county. But many areas in the northern portion of the Grand River watershed have been downgraded to a flood watch, according to an update release by the Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA) Sunday morning.

It comes after 100 millimetres of rain fell in the Grand River watershed between 3 and 5 a.m. Friday, which caused flood warnings for many areas near the Grand River and Nith River.

• State of emergency declared in Harriston due to widespread flooding
• Rising waters leaves residents stranded in Grand Valley

"Flows remain significantly higher throughout Waterloo region, especially in the City of Cambridge," Cam Linwood, communications and development coordinator at GRCA, told CBC News Sunday.

Even though the northern portions of the Grand River watershed have been downgraded from a flood warning to a flood watch, river flows are still higher than what people would typically see this time of year, he said.

As a result, there is a significant amount of debris moving downstream. Municipalities should check bridges, dams and culverts for debris blockages.

Flood Warning:

City of Cambridge

• Flows on the Grand River through Cambridge peaked around noon Saturday. Flows on Sunday morning remain above normal and still presents significant safety risk to the public.
• Highway 24 and Blair Road have reopened as flows begin to recede.

County of Brant, City of Brantford and Brant Park Conservation Area

• Flows on the Grand River through Brantford peaked Saturday evening.
• Gilkinson Street remains closed, however it is expected to reopen Sunday afternoon as flows recede.
• Brant County and Six Nations flood co-ordinators are asked to maintain closure of Boundary Road between Six Nations and Brant County.

Haldimand County, Byng Island Conservation Area and trailer parks in southern Grand River watershed

Flows in the Grand River are peaking through York Sunday morning.

Flows will remain high through the week, said GRCA. The public should be cautious around riverbanks as significant debris has been washed downstream during this event.

Flood Watch:

City of Kitchener, Doon area and Bridgeport area

• Flows peaked through Bridgeport and Doon Saturday morning. Flows will remain high through the week said GRCA.

Town of Grand Valley

• Flows through Grand Valley peaked late Friday morning and are now receding. Flows are returning to more normal summer conditions.

Township of Mapleton and Village of Drayton

• Levels through Drayton peaked Friday afternoon and continue to recede, said GRCA. Flows are returning to more normal summer conditions.

Township of Centre Wellington and Elora

• Flows through Elora peaked on Friday afternoon.
• Discharge from Shand Dam continues to be reduced, however flows will remain very high as the reservoir level is brought back within a normal operating range.  

Township of Woolwich, St. Jacobs, West Montrose, Elmira and Conestogo Golf Course

• Flows in the Conestogo River peaked Friday evening and continue to recede. Discharge from Conestogo Dam continues to be reduced. Flows will remain very high as the reservoir level is brought back within a normal operating range.
• It is expected that the Three Bridges Road bridge will reopen late Sunday afternoon.
• The Grand River through West Montrose peaked Friday evening and continues to recede on Sunday.
• Discharge from Woolwich Reservoir has been reduced.
• Flows through Elmira are returning to more normal summer conditions.

Nith River in New Hamburg

• Flows peaked near Warning Level 1 in New Hamburg Saturday morning, said GRCA. The Level 1 warning includes parts of Milton and Jacob Streets.

Nith River in Ayr

• Flows are peaking on Sunday morning, however, below warning levels. Conditions are being monitored closely and flood coordinators will be contacted as necessary.