News

The Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA) is undertaking a Flood Damage Assessment Study for the communities of Grand Valley, Waldemar and Drayton, thanks to a $78,000 grant from the federal National Disaster Mitigation Program (NDMP). The NDMP grant will contribute up to 50 per cent of the project’s funding, with the remaining amount to be funded through the GRCA’s land sale reserves. 

Update (May 26, 2022): The Cambridge to Paris Rail Trail, Brantford to Hamilton Rail Trail, and Elora-Cataract Trailway have reopened.

Update (May 23, 2022): Pinehurst Lake Conservation Area has reopened, however some areas of the property remain closed to the public while clean-up continues.

Grants are available to support homeowners and farmers in the Grand River watershed who are interested in well projects on their property.

“Wells need to be maintained properly and tested regularly in order to provide safe drinking water, and to protect groundwater resources” says Louise Heyming, Supervisor of Conservation Outreach at the Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA).

The Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA), in partnership with local municipalities, supports farmers who want to help improve and protect water quality in the Grand River watershed. The GRCA’s Rural Water Quality Program (RWQP), funded by Wellington, Brant, Oxford, Haldimand and Dufferin counties, and the Region of Waterloo, supports projects that help producers make their farms more resilient, while helping improve downstream water quality.

Camping season opens May 1, 2022

It may not look like it outside, but the 2022 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 15, 2022 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 almost $35 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 budget was approved by the GRCA board on Friday, February 25, 2022. 

Chris White, Mayor of Guelph-Eramosa Township and Councillor in Wellington County, and Sue Foxton, Mayor of North Dumfries Township, have been acclaimed, continuing their roles as Chair and Vice-Chair of the Grand River Conservation Authority.

Both White and Foxton were acclaimed by the GRCA Board of Directors at the General Membership meeting on Friday, January 28. 

The public trails adjacent to the Speed River, between Victoria Road North and the Guelph Lake Dam, will be closed beginning Thursday January 13, 2022 for the purpose of improving trail accessibility. Construction is expected to be complete by early to mid-March, weather dependent. 

On November 24, 2021, the Grand River Conservation Authority hosted its 10^th annual workshop for wastewater professionals throughout the Grand River watershed. Held virtually once again this year, the Grand River Watershed-wide Wastewater Optimization Program (WWOP) workshop is an opportunity for municipal wastewater professionals to share best practices in wastewater treatment. 

The Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA) is undertaking tree maintenance along the Elora Cataract Trailway in Wellington County over the next six weeks. The work will result in intermittent closures of sections of the trail during this time. The first closure, between Gartshore Street and Belwood Lake will occur between December 2-17.