Flood warning issued for parts of Grand River watershed
Flooding possible in New Hamburg, Ayr and St. Jacobs, authority warns
The Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA) has issued a flood warning for areas of New Hamburg, Ayr, St. Jacobs, Grand Valley and Waldemar.
Flows in the Nith River through New Hamburg and Ayr are expected to reach Flood Warning Zone 1 on Thursday, the GRCA said in a news release issued Tuesday afternoon. The zone refers to the areas at risk of flooding. It's advising municipal flood co-ordinators in those communities to warn affected residents.
The flood warning also covers the Grand River around Grand Valley and Waldemar. The GRCA is asking flood co-ordinators in those communities to monitor conditions and prepare to close Highway 25 around Grand Valley and 10th Line around Waldemar if necessary.
In addition, the warning covers the Conestogo River in St. Jacobs and the authority is asking municipal flood co-ordinators to close the low level bridge at 1505 Three Bridges Road by midday Wednesday.
A flood warning means that flooding is occurring or is about to occur.
Flood watch remains in effect for entire watershed
Environment Canada is forecasting temperatures of up to 15 C and approximately 10 to 15 millimetres of rainfall across the Grand River watershed this week resulting in significant snowmelt and increased runoff into local waterways, the GRCA said.
Temperatures are expected to continue to increase through the middle of the week before returning to more seasonal conditions over the weekend.
"Flows in local waterways throughout the Grand River watershed will begin increasing on Wednesday and remain elevated into early next week," the GRCA said in the release.
"Runoff from this event will cause flooding in areas typically prone to spring flooding. Ice on local waterways is extremely unstable and will break up and shift during this event, increasing the risk of flooding in areas prone to ice jams."
A flood watch remains in effect for the entire Grand River watershed due to the anticipated runoff and potential for ice movement, the GRCA said.
Residents and businesses located in the floodplain should prepare for the risk of spring flooding and ensure they are aware of their local municipal flood response plans, it said.
GRCA's major reservoirs at Belwood, Conestogo, Guelph, Luther, Woolwich, Laurel, and Shade's Mills are being used to store runoff and help reduce flooding downstream of those reservoirs, it said.