Flood watch extended as small ice jams spotted near Brantford

The Grand River Conservation Authority has extended a flood watch for the entire watershed due to the recent rainfall and presence of small ice jams.

In a news release sent out Thursday, the GRCA said 10 to 20 mm of precipitation fell throughout the watershed earlier this week. Combined with runoff and snowmelt, the water levels have swelled in local rivers and streams.

They also said a “substantial amount” of ice is still in the water and some small ice jams were spotted upstream in the Brant Conservation Area and Veterans Memorial Parkway in Brantford.

“Elevated flows may cause the ice to break up and start moving, which raises the risk of ice jam formation and associated flood potential. Municipal flood coordinators are advised to monitor areas that have historically experienced ice jam flooding and be prepared to initiate their municipal flood response plans,” the release said.

Many people living in the Brantford area still vividly remember a major flood that happened in February 2018 when a major ice jam formed in the Gilkison Flats area. Approximately 2,200 homes were evacuated as water seeped into urban areas and the city had to issue a state of emergency.

Some people had to stay at local community centres for up to a week.

In the aftermath, residents blamed an unfinished dike at the end of Grand River Avenue, saying the worst of the damage could have been avoided if the dike had been filled.

With reporting from Tyler Kelaher