The Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA) has advised the Township earlier this morning that they have updated the Flood Warning for the watershed. Specific to North Dumfries and the Community of Ayr, the GRCA has issued a revised advisory and elevated the Flood Warning to a Zone 3 level. This advisory is specific to the Nith River.
Warm weather and rain over the past 3 days have melted the snowpack and have led to ice jams and flooding. The air temperature is expected to remain above zero today approaching low level double digits in the northern part of the watershed and the mid-teens into Tuesday, which will continue melting the remaining snowpack. River levels are elevated and additional runoff from snowmelt may cause river flows to increase.
River flows in the Nith River continue to rise. Flows in the Nith River are expected to reach Flood Warning Zone 3 in Ayr sometime later on Monday March 9th.
The Township will be sending out a message through the Alert Waterloo network to residents / businesses that have previously registered with the municipality within the Zone 1, 2 & 3 areas of the pending flood conditions and associated Flood Warning.
The Township has CLOSED Tannery Street due to water overtopping the road. Tannery Street will remain closed to vehicular traffic on Monday March 9th. The road will be reassessed on Tuesday.
At this time there are no flood concerns associated with the Grand River for that section which flows through North Dumfries.
The public is encouraged to exercise caution around all local waterways and ponds. Banks adjacent to rivers, ponds and creeks are very slippery and, when combined with fast-moving water, pose a serious hazard. Parents are reminded to keep their children and pets away from all watercourses and open water.
Residents of the Township are encouraged to monitor the Township’s website, social media accounts and the GRCA for updates over the next 24 to 36 hours.
How to stay up-to-date?
To stay up-to-date on flood watches and warning:
- Subscribe to the Grand River Conservation Authority’s flood warning system at www.grandriver.ca and
- Follow the Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA) on Twitter at @grca_flood_msg
For local flood response, including road closures, detours and more
Follow the Township of North Dumfries on Twitter at @northdumfries