Latest news with #GrandRiverConservationAuthority
CBC
01-04-2025
- Climate
- CBC
Freezing rain and slippery conditions expected Wednesday in Waterloo region and area
Freezing rain 'will not be nearly as significant as the ice storm from this past weekend,' statement says People are being warned about freezing rain and slippery conditions, followed by significant rainfall, in Waterloo region, Guelph and Wellington County this week. Environment Canada has issued a special weather statement for the area saying freezing rain will begin Wednesday morning and stretch into Thursday. The statement notes, however, that the freezing rain "will not be nearly as significant as the ice storm from this past weekend." The freezing rain may also bring ice pellets and winds of up to 50 km/h. It means surfaces such as sidewalks and roads may become slippery and ice build-up on branches could cause them to break. "As temperatures rise above the freezing mark, freezing rain will transition to rain over southwestern Ontario through Wednesday afternoon and across central and eastern Ontario Wednesday night," the statement says. Up to 40 mm of rain is expected in some areas, but that could increase if thunderstorms develop, the statement says. Environment Canada says the increase in rain could lead to some flooding. On Monday, the Grand River Conservation Authority issued a flood warning for West Montrose after rain over the weekend. The authority says local water levels are expected to remain high throughout the week. "River flows will remain elevated as runoff from rain and any remaining snow melt drains through the river system," the conservation authority said. The West Montrose flood warning remains in effect until Saturday at noon. Along with the rain, temperatures are set to increase at the last part of the week. The Environment Canada forecast says: Wednesday will be rainy with a high of 2 C. Showers are expected through the evening and the temperature will rise to 6 C. Thursday will cloudy with a chance of rain and a high of 18 C. Friday, sunny with a high of 15 C. Saturday, cloudy with a chance of showers and high of 5 C. Geoff Coulson, a meteorologist with Environment Canada, told CBC News the rollercoaster of weather is not unexpected at this time of year because early April is still "very much a transition month" between winter and spring. He says early April has "the possibility of temperatures bouncing around, storm systems coming up from the American west and southwest bringing moisture with it with temperature flirting with the freezing mark. At this time of year, it's still quite possible to get snow, ice pellets or freezing rain."
CBC
06-03-2025
- Climate
- CBC
Increased risk of ice jam along Grand River, flooding could happen 'without warning': Conservation authority
Social Sharing A flood watch for the entire Grand River watershed has been extended through the weekend because there's an increased risk of ice jams, which could cause flooding. The Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA) extended the flood watch issued earlier this week on Thursday. It is now set to expire on Monday. The authority says up to 20 mm of rain fell in parts of the watershed on Tuesday and Wednesday. Warm temperatures also led to melting snow. Both of these have caused increased water levels in local rivers and streams. "A substantial amount of ice is still present in watercourses and some small ice jams have been observed upstream of Brant Conservation Area and upstream of Veterans Memorial Parkway in Brantford, as well as in the community of York," the GRCA said on Thursday. "Elevated flows may cause the ice to break up and start moving, which raises the risk of ice jam formation and associated flood potential." Be prepared for flooding: GRCA Each municipality has flood co-ordinators who monitor their areas and will send out alerts to residents if it appears an ice jam or flooding is possible. But the GRCA also said people should prepare now for possible flooding. "Residents who typically experience flooding should be prepared as conditions can change quickly and without warning," the GRCA said. People are also being reminded to stay away from bodies of water because banks and shores may be slippery due to mud or ice. "As many students head into the March break, parents are reminded to keep their children and pets away from all watercourses. "Winter activities, including ice fishing, are now closed at all Grand River Conservation Areas. River ice cover is unstable due to thawing conditions and fluctuating water levels. The public is reminded to stay off of all ice-covered waterbodies, due to unsafe conditions." Warmup expected next week Environment Canada issued a winter weather travel advisory for Waterloo region, Guelph and southern Wellington County on Thursday. Up to five centimetres of snow are possible, but the wind could cause blowing snow, making driving difficult at times. The forecast shows temperatures will remain just below freezing until Sunday and snow is likely. On Sunday, the temperature rises to just above freezing, then the early part of next week will see it rise further to nearly 10 C.
Yahoo
04-03-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Melting ice and flood risk: How ice jams can endanger Canadian communities
The forecast is setting the stage for ice jams to occur in flood-prone areas of southern Ontario this week. Sunday's deep freeze, followed by warming temperatures and possible rainfall, could melt snow and weaken river ice in the days ahead, mobilising chunks of ice that can pile up at ends and bridges in the river, leading to potential floods. The Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA) has issued a flood watch ahead of this week's rain in southern Ontario. "The river system is largely ice covered and there is a heavy snowpack across most of the watershed," reads part of the flood watch statement. "The warm conditions and rain will generate runoff and will likely be sufficient to cause the river ice cover to break up and start moving, which raises the risk of ice jam formation and associated flood potential." Ice jams, also sometimes called ice dams, occur when large pieces of ice come together and obstruct the flow of water in a river, which can cause flooding in nearby communities. It's common in Canada in late winter and early spring as the temperature warms and snow and ice melt. When an ice jam forms it acts like a temporary dam, creating an obstruction that can cause water levels to rise, possibly spilling onto adjacent communities. City planners often employ several strategies to mitigate the risk posed by ice jams, including monitoring the weather conditions and breaking up ice. In some areas, flood control infrastructure, including flood channels and berms, are installed. Spring is coming in fast and with it, the potential for ice jams and flooding on the Grand River watershed. #ONStorm — Mark Robinson (@StormhunterTWN) March 3, 2025 "Residents who typically experience flooding should be prepared as conditions can change quickly and without warning," GRCA says on its website. "Residents are encouraged to familiarize themselves with their local municipal flood response programs and be prepared for flooding due to the elevated risk with this event. High flows and unstable ice conditions will increase the safety risk around rivers and streams throughout the watershed." In some cases, ice jams can cause widespread damage to infrastructure, displace residents, and lead to hundreds of millions of dollars in damages. A recent example in Canada occurred in Fort McMurray, Alberta, between April 26 and May 2, 2020. Several ice jams on the Athabasca River caused "catastrophic" flooding in downtown Fort McMurray, damaging more than 1,200 properties, displacing around 13,000 people, and prompting more than seven weeks of boil water advisories. A 2021 report estimated the total insured and uninsured losses from the event exceeded CAD 1.1 billion. A glimpse at the flooding caused by an ice jam in Fort McMurray, Alberta in April 2020. (McMurray Aviation) One man died while riding his ATV on a trail. Water levels unexpectedly rose, and he was swept into the Athabasca River. Another man involved in the incident survived. Header image: File photo via Canva Pro.
CBC
24-02-2025
- Climate
- CBC
As temperatures rise above freezing in Waterloo region, conservation authority keeps watch on waterways
The temperature is expected to go above zero this week in Waterloo region and area and officials with the Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA) say they'll keep a close watch on the melting snow and ice all along the watershed. Environment Canada's forecast says rain and snow are possible all week, with daytime temperatures remaining above freezing until Friday, when they'll drop again. Vahid Taleban, the manager of flood operations with the GRCA, says they will be conducting a river watch this week along the entire watershed. "What we observed during the months of January and February was that the temperatures were below normal or below averages. Basically as a result of that, there is some ice buildup or ice formation on the water process, which will potentially increase the risk of ice jams if we see a rapid melt," Taleban said. "Another pattern that we're observing is that the degree to which the temperatures will rise are more in the lower portion of the watershed and southern portions like the Brantford and Dunnville area. It will be warmer than upper portions or middle portions of the watershed. And that's ideal for us for the river to be free of ice or having looser ice in the lower portion to like free room for the runoff that's generated from upstream basically." Hoping for a gradual melt The GRCA has divided the length of the watershed into several segments, and in each segment there is a designated person responsible for keeping track of the river conditions. Taleban hopes the melt is gradual and isn't a repeat of February of 2018 when overnight, below zero temperatures jumped to between plus 10 to 15 Celsius and caused flooding because of the snow melt and ice jams. While the flow of the river is monitored 24/7, the snow volumes are looked at about twice a month. Taleban says they look at both the depth of the snow, but also how much water is in the snow pack, what they call the "snow water equivalent." "This year we have seen a lot of snow and yes, sometimes in some areas there are approaching record values. However, the snow is not very dense. It's a bit light. As a result of that, the amount of water that's in the snow pack is not significantly higher than before," he said. People living along the watershed can receive four levels of flood messages by subscribing to a service offered by their municipality or through the GRCA website.
CBC
27-01-2025
- Business
- CBC
'Always think about the people': City of Waterloo remembers former mayor James Bauer
In 1960, James Bauer was just 31 years old when he was elected as Waterloo's mayor. Today, he still holds the record for being the youngest mayor to ever hold the title in that city. The former alderman and family businessman passed away on Thursday at age 95. In his obituary, he's remembered as a dedicated and well-loved husband, father and grandfather. In a statement released Monday, officials at the City of Waterloo said he will be mourned as a man of vision. The release details the projects Bauer spearheaded during his time as mayor. These range from the development of Waterloo Square in 1961, a project that would be "deemed as one of the most courageous and ambitious ever undertaken by any North American municipality," to the development of new residential areas, a sewage disposal plant and additions to Waterloo Collegiate Institute in 1965. He would later serve as chairman of the Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA) for 25 years, and then take up various roles within the Canadian Water Resources Association, including executive director, until his retirement. The city's release said Bauer spent "considerable time during his tenure as mayor promoting improved planning for the future betterment of Waterloo." Current Mayor Dorothy McCabe said that when she spoke with Bauer in 2023, his advice to her was to "always think about the people." "He really did have a good vision for a city that was much smaller than Waterloo is now, but had a really good vision for what it could look like in the future," McCabe said. "The changes that they made under his leadership in the early 1960s really changed Uptown and laid out the framework for what it is today. So we really thank him for his service, thank his family and offer our condolences at this time."
