In Guelph, Ontario, the Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA) has issued Flood Warnings for Drayton (effective Dec. 29, 2025) and Ayr (effective Dec. 31, 2025), and continues a watershed‑wide Watershed Conditions — Water Safety message for the entire Grand River basin. The GRCA warns that elevated river flows and unstable ice pose risks to low‑lying roads, shoreline trails and neighbourhoods.
A combination of heavy rainfall, melting snowpack and frozen, saturated ground is preventing natural drainage and channeling runoff into local rivers. That has increased flows on the Conestogo and Nith Rivers, raising the risk of overtopping in some low‑lying areas. In Guelph, the Speed and Eramosa Rivers are also experiencing higher flows and faster currents this week, according to GRCA advisories.
According to the GRCA, major reservoirs — including Guelph Lake — are at normal levels and have storage available to help reduce downstream surges. However, unregulated tributaries such as the Nith River are expected to peak (Ayr was forecast to peak on Dec. 31, 2025), which raises the chance of localized flooding along trails in Royal City Park and Eramosa River Park.
The City of Guelph’s operations and emergency services teams are monitoring roads near Speedvale Avenue and the Hanlon Expressway for possible closures; the city is responsible for any local road closures. Motorists and trail users should stay clear of flooded or icy sections and obey any posted detours.
Residents can get real‑time flood updates on the GRCA flood messages page, view water levels on the GRCA river data map and check the City of Guelph flood information portal for local advisories.
