The Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA) issued a new flood warning for the Village of Conestogo and upgraded existing warnings for West Montrose and Ayr on Monday, March 9, 2026. These alerts were put in place as warming temperatures and rain caused rapid snowmelt and rising river levels across the watershed.
While these specific communities are under full flood warnings, the rest of the Grand River watershed—including Guelph and Wellington County—remains under a flood watch. Local municipal flood coordinators in the Township of Woolwich and the Township of North Dumfries have been notified to monitor the situation and alert residents in affected properties.
In West Montrose, river flows were expected to reach “Flood Warning Zone 2” by the middle of the day on Monday. This level indicates that flooding is either imminent or already occurring, prompting local officials to closely monitor properties to ensure resident safety. Residents throughout the region are being urged to stay away from all riverbanks and streams, as fast-moving water and slippery banks create extremely dangerous conditions.
The current flood risk is driven by the spring freshet, the seasonal period where snowmelt and rainfall combine to swell local waterways. The GRCA plans to continue tracking river conditions throughout the week as additional rain and melting are expected to impact the area.
