All News Releases

Sometime during the week of December 18, 2023, the Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA) will be conducting dye tracer testing in the Conestogo River, upstream of the town of St. Jacobs near Three Bridges Road. The dye is environmentally friendly and may temporarily give the Conestogo River a yellow-green colour.

The presence of blue-green algae has been observed at Conestogo Lake reservoir. While the beach area and boat launch are both closed for the season, the GRCA has notified the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks as well as the local health unit, and signage is being posted. The previously confirmed blue-green algae blooms at Belwood Lake and Woolwich reservoirs are still present.

The presence of blue-green algae has been confirmed at Woolwich and Belwood Lake reservoirs. Signage has been posted at both of these locations notifying the public of the conditions.

This year, farmers across every municipality in the Grand River watershed are eligible to apply for cover crop incentives through funding from the Nature Smart Climate Solutions Fund, a Government of Canada’s Department of Environment and Climate Change program in partnership with Conservation Ontario.

The Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA) has announced that it has completed a draft management plan for the Niska Land Holdings property on Niska Road in Guelph.

The Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA) annually installs warning booms or white buoys upstream of GRCA dams to warn paddlers, anglers and boaters to stay away from the dams.

This is one of many safety procedures used by the GRCA to reduce the risk for people who enjoy water activities on local reservoirs and waterways. The hazards around dams can result in serious injury or death if warning signs are ignored.

Camping season opens May 1, 2023

The snow may still be falling, but the 2023 camping season is just around the corner and the Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA) campsite reservation system will be open to take reservations online beginning March 1, 2023 at 8:00 a.m.

The reservation system at www.grcacamping.ca provides a 24-hour, online reservation service until mid-October, when the camping season closes.

The Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA) will invest just over $35.4 million this year on programs that protect life and minimize property damage from flooding and erosion, improve the health of the Grand River watershed, connect people to the environment through outdoor experiences and manage its land holdings responsibly and sustainably.

The GRCA board approved the budget on Friday, February 24, 2023. The board is made up of 26 members appointed by the municipalities in the Grand River watershed.

Maintenance work that began in November to clear vegetation from the top of the New Hamburg dike will restart next week and continue through the end of February.

The maintenance project will take place over the next several weeks, weather dependent, and includes removal of fallen tree debris, large willows with structural issues and a number of large Manitoba maple trees below the dike.

UPDATE:

Recent rain and snow melt has improved low water conditions in the Grand River watershed. With rivers and reservoirs returning to more seasonal levels the Grand River Low Water Response Team is moving the watershed from a Level 2 to a Level 1 condition.