Monday’s warm spell paired together with recent rainfall has caused the Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA) to issue a flood watch for Cambridge, Brantford, New Hamburg and other communities within the region.
While a return to temperatures below the freezing mark will reduce the volume of runoff into area rivers, the agency says, “runoff from northern portions of the watershed is now moving through the central reaches of the watershed and will continue to move downstream of Brantford over the next few days.”
READ MORE: State of emergency declared in Brantford, Ont., due to flooding
Low-lying areas within the region that are prone to flooding are expected to be affected by the watershed.
The GRCA says that city flood co-ordinators are monitoring the Grand River in Cambridge which is expected to peak late Tuesday afternoon.
A jam has formed further downriver in Brantford which will peak later in the evening. The GRCA says that the dyke and floodwall are preventing flooding.
Ice is still present in the Grand River from Caledonia to Cayuga which means there is the potential for ice jams and flooding in low-lying areas.
READ MORE: Ice fishing at Shade’s Mills prohibited this season after jet fuel spill, says GRCA
A similar story is developing on the Nith River through New Hamburg and Ayr.
The agency says that flows in the Nith River are expected to peak through New Hamburg just below Warning Zone 1 on Tuesday afternoon. Residents upstream of Milton Street are being warned as a precaution in case an ice jam develops.
The flows will peak in Ayr on Wednesday so flood monitors are keeping a close watch on things and will issue a warning if needed.
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