Moderate to high risk of flooding in Grand River watershed this spring

The overall flood risk in the Grand River watershed this spring is moderate to high, with the highest potential risk for flooding along the Lake Erie shoreline due to current lake levels.

Stephanie Shifflett, Water Resources Engineer, Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA), presented the forecast at the GRCA’s annual meeting of municipal flood co-ordinators on February 19. The meeting is one of a series held each year, as the GRCA works closely with municipal officials to operate, test and improve the flood warning system. The GRCA has the responsibility of monitoring weather and river conditions and issuing flood warning messages to municipal flood co-ordinators. When a flood message is issued, municipalities activate their local flood response programs by warning residents, closing roads, managing evacuations or taking other actions.

Weather Outlook and Flood Prognosis

The winter to-date has been relatively mild with January and February temperatures approximately 1-3 degrees above normal leaving most major local waterways open with limited ice cover.

Precipitation since the beginning of the year has been well above average with January receiving about 200% of the normal precipitation for that time of year, much of it falling as rain and melting the snowpack. Cooler temperatures and near-normal precipitation in February has helped rebuild much of the snowpack across the watershed.

“Ground conditions remain saturated and frozen across northern portions of the watershed which will make it more reactive during rapid melt events”, explained Shifflett. “GRCA reservoirs are at their normal operating level for this time of year and conditions will be monitored closely as we head into spring. Residents who typically experience spring flooding should ensure they are prepared due to the elevated risk this year.”

Environment Canada is predicting warmer than normal temperatures for the watershed over the next three months and above normal precipitation.

River, Reservoir and Lake Erie Conditions

Watercourses are generally free of ice, with the exception of some reaches in the northern part of the watershed.

The major reservoirs are at their normal levels for this time of year. These reservoirs were actively used to manage runoff during record rainfall flooding in January. The normal filling cycle of the reservoirs will start in the next few weeks. During the filling cycle, reservoirs are operated to capture water and reduce downstream flooding through the spring. The water in the reservoirs is then released gradually during the summer and fall, augmenting the flow in the river to ensure there is enough water to meet the needs of downstream municipalities. 

Lake Erie remains well above the long-term average and above record levels for this time of year. Lake Erie is virtually free of ice, including the mouth of the Grand River reducing the risk of ice jam related flooding. There is a very high risk for continued flooding and erosion along the Lake Erie shoreline due to the high lake level and open water conditions.

More information

• Learn more about the GRCA’s flood warning system on its website at www.grandriver.ca/flooding
• Receive GRCA flood messages by e-mail by subscribing through the GRCA website.
• Follow GRCA flood messages on Twitter at grca_flood_msg.

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Media Contacts:

Cam Linwood, GRCA Communications Coordinator
Phone 519-621-2763 x2251 | Email clinwood@grandriver.ca

Lisa Stocco, GRCA Manager of Communications
Phone 519-621-2763 x2316 | Email lstocco@grandriver.ca