Conestogo Dam maintenance work continuing in 2024

The Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA) is continuing a comprehensive rehabilitation project of the Conestogo Dam. This project is a continuation of work completed on the dam over the last several years to repair normal damage caused by regular weather and ice events.

This phase of the project involves contractors working from barges placed in the reservoir to repair concrete on the upstream wall of the dam. To accommodate this work, the water in the reservoir will be lowered at a faster rate than is typical for this time of year to allow the contractor access to portions of the upstream face of the dam. The dam will continue to operate as intended throughout the duration of the project and provide its primary flood storage and flow augmentation functions.

The GRCA has a schedule to keep reservoir elevation at or above the lower rule curve until Labour Day, September 2, 2024, to help ensure minimum flows downstream to support the river’s ecological, municipal and recreational functions.

Cottagers and recreational users of the Conestogo Lake reservoir should expect fluctuating water levels as a result of this work. During the summer months of July and August, the reservoir level may drop by up to 20 cm per day. There will be no impacts to fisheries within the Conestogo Lake reservoir due to construction or draw down. The beach and boat launch at Conestogo Lake Conservation Area may be impacted or out of service earlier in the season than typical. Following September 2, the reservoir level may drop by up to 30 cm per day. This phase of the project is anticipated to conclude in December. The schedule and operation of the reservoir is subject to change pending weather conditions or other unforeseen challenges.

One lane of Wellington Road 11 has been closed to accommodate the project and owners of the nearly 400-cottages on Conestogo Lake are being asked to monitor their properties throughout the project. Any impacts to GRCA operated boat launches will be posted on the service disruptions page of the GRCA website and more information is available on the project webpage.  

About Conestogo Dam and the project

Located about 30-minutes northwest of Elmira, the Conestogo Dam was built in 1958 and is one of seven multi-purpose dams built by the GRCA to help reduce the impact of flooding year-round and augment river flows during the summer and fall. Multiple projects have been completed to maintain and upgrade the dam over the years, including earlier phases of this multi-year comprehensive concrete rehabilitation project from 2019 to 2022 on the downstream walls. This phase of the project to repair the upstream walls is anticipated to conclude at the end of 2025.

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Media contacts:

James Clark, Senior Communications and Marketing Advisor
Phone 519-621-2763 x2240  |  Email jclark@grandriver.ca

Lisa Stocco, GRCA Manager, Strategic Communications and Environmental Education
Phone 519-621-2763 x2316  |  Email lstocco@grandriver.ca