Flood watch for all of Grand River watershed

WATERLOO REGION — Ice jams are clogging several locations in the Grand and Nith rivers, and a flood warning remains in effect for parts of the watershed.

The Grand River Conservation Authority said Wednesday that a flood watch is in place for the entire Grand River watershed due to the elevated flows and potential for additional ice movement.

The Low Level Bridge above St. Jacobs remains closed.

The bridge was closed Monday evening, and is still flooded.

In Cambridge, an ice jam is in place through the Blair stretch of the Grand River between Parkhill Dam and Fountain Street.

The jam is also affecting the lower portion of the Speed River downstream of Riverside Park and along Blair Road, which is closed to traffic.

Several ice jams are in place in the stretch of the Nith River through Wilmot Township and Blandford-Blenheim.

Inflows to the major reservoirs have generally peaked. Discharges were reduced Wednesday morning, decreasing river flows to help reduce ice generation and lower river levels in some of the ice jam areas.

The weather forecast calls for a few days of freezing temperatures followed by a warmer weekend.

This forecast is favourable for ice erosion, which will help reduce flood levels in areas where ice jams are present.

The warning remains in effect until Thursday at 4 p.m.

Updated flood messages will be issued as conditions develop.