Press Release: Grand River Conservation Authority, March 5, 2026.
GRCA Flood Message #1 – Flood Watch: The Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA) is issuing a Flood Watch for the entire Grand River watershed due an increased risk of snowmelt, runoff and ice jam formation.
Weather forecast
Temperatures in the watershed are expected to remain above freezing today and on Friday, March 6, 2026, and are forecast to reach double digits above zero over the weekend. A similar temperature trend is expected throughout next week. Current forecasts indicate relatively light‑intensity rainfall continuing through today and Friday, and into the weekend. While projected totals vary, most forecasts call for 20 to 30 mm of rain over the next few days. The snowpack in the northern part of the watershed contains a significant amount of water content. Warm temperatures combined with expected rainfall will result in snowmelt and runoff.
Flood Watch for the entire Grand River watershed
The snowpack across the watershed is expected to melt due to the forecasted warm temperatures, and when combined with the predicted rainfall, will result in rising water levels. Many river systems are still covered with ice which is expected to melt and combined with runoff from this event will increase the potential risk of ice jams and flooding in areas typically prone to flooding. Municipal flood coordinators in Grand Valley, Waldemar, Drayton, West Montrose, the Village of Conestogo, New Hamburg, Ayr, Brantford, Six Nations, Caledonia, Cayuga and Dunnville should be aware of these conditions and take appropriate precautions.
GRCA Reservoirs
GRCA reservoirs are within their normal operating range for this time of year and have storage available to help reduce the impact of downstream flooding.
Public safety
High flows and unstable ice conditions will increase the safety risk around rivers and streams throughout the watershed. The public is encouraged to exercise extreme caution around all local waterways. Parents are reminded to keep their children and pets away from all watercourses. The public is reminded to stay off any ice-covered waterbodies, due to unsafe conditions.
River conditions and forecasts are being monitored closely, and any additional flood messages will be issued as needed.
This message will remain in effect until 12 p.m. on Friday, March 13, 2026.
More information
- For more information on flows, weather and reservoir conditions see the River Data section of the GRCA website.
- More information on the flood warning system is available on the GRCA website.
- Receive GRCA flood messages by e-mail by subscribing through the GRCA website.
- Follow GRCA flood messages on X at grca_flood_msg.
- More information about how the GRCA’s role in managing floods is available in the Flooding section of the website.
- Copies of the GRCA’s River Safety Rules booklet is available by contacting the GRCA Administration Centre
