High levels of precipitation over the holidays cause flood warnings
Posted Dec 30, 2025 01:56:57 PM.
Last Updated Dec 30, 2025 01:57:02 PM.
Over the past few days the Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA) has put out several flood warnings. The first one came Sunday, December 28 for the Nith River Subwatershed for the area around New Hamburg and Ayr. That water safety message remains in effect. Another for Drayton was launched Monday, December 29.
The GRCA advises everyone to exercise extreme caution around all local waterways and keep off all ice. Parents are recommended to keep children and pets away from any waterways.
The flood warnings come as the region continues to see heavy snowfalls and freezing rain. On Boxing Day, the Grand River Watershed received about 5 to 10 millimeters of precipitation from freezing rain or snow blowing in. It added to the northern and central portions of the watershed holding about 30 to 60 millimeters of water in the snowpack that came from a snowfall earlier in December. Add to that a low-pressure system that originates from the American Midwest, still active in the watershed since late Sunday morning.
“Ice conditions remain highly unstable, unpredictable, and unsafe for any type of recreation,” said Serena Catania, supervisor of communications and marketing for the GRCA in a statement to CityNews Kitchener. “High flows and unstable ice conditions will increase the safety risk around rivers and streams throughout the watershed. The public is encouraged to exercise extreme caution around local waterways.”
The GRCA will watch river conditions and weather forecasts for changes. Any flood messages issued will appear first on the GRCA website.
