Brantford Ice Jam Study | Grand River Conservation Authority

Brantford Ice Jam Mitigation Feasibility Study - Project Overview

We have undertaken a feasibility study to investigate methods to reduce ice jam potential on the Grand River in Brantford. The study was carried out in partnership with the City of Brantford and Ecosystem Recovery Inc. (now Matrix Solutions Inc.) was retained as the study consultant.

In February 2018, a major ice jam set in place in Brantford on the Grand River in the area of Gilkison Flats. The ice jam and flood resulted in overtopping and circumventing flood protection along portions of the dike system through the central portion of the City. The event required evacuation of thousands of residents, caused extensive damages and cost to private holdings and public infrastructure, and required extensive emergency service operations from agencies.

The Gilkison Flats reach of the Grand River has a history of ice jam occurrences and a major ice jam with similar conditions occurred in 1996. An Ice Jam Study was completed by KGS Group for the GRCA following the 2018 ice jam. The study documented the technical aspects of the ice jam and identified a number of mitigation options at a high level.

The intent of this feasibility study was to further develop concepts and costs for potential mitigation options, as well as identify implementation considerations, which would be addressed in a future environmental assessment.

The objectives of the proposed study were to:

Develop and refine a list of potential mitigation options for ice jams.
Determine flood damage costs for overtopping or failure of the dike and damages avoided by maintaining the dike system through Brantford.
Carry out public consultation regarding the ice jam event and mitigation options.
Develop design concepts for select mitigation options and preliminary costing.
Facilitate discussions and make recommendations for mitigation measures to be advanced or eliminated from further consideration.

Public Information Centres (PICs)

A key component of the study is consultation with interested stakeholders (public, landowners and agencies). The intent of this feasibility study is to lay the groundwork for future Environmental Assessment (EA) studies to further evaluate alternatives and select a preferred management strategy.

PIC #1 - Notice of Commencement and Virtual Public Information Centre

The GRCA held a virtual Public Information Centre (PIC) in late 2020 to share information with interested community members, and to inform and identify priorities and interests that should be considered in project planning and execution.

Please note the following documents may not be accessible to people with disabilities. If you have a disability and require a document in an alternate format, please contact us.

PIC #2 - Results of Work

Planned for 2024.

We want to hear from you

We are requesting public input and comments. If you wish to submit comments, please fill out a comment sheet (394KB PDF) and submit it using one of the following methods:

By Email: brantfordicestudy@grandriver.ca

By Mail:

Grand River Conservation Authority
Attention: Katelyn Lynch, Manager of Water Infrastructure
400 Clyde Road, PO Box 729
Cambridge, Ontario N1R 5W6

Background Information

Please note the following documents may not be accessible to people with disabilities. If you have a disability and require a document in an alternate format, please contact us.

Brantford Ice Jam