Grand River Conservation Authority re: Notice of Proposed Regulatory Floodplain Mapping Changes and Public Information Meetings, Lower Conestogo River

Under the Conservation Authorities Act and Ontario Regulation 41/24, the Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA) regulates development activities in natural hazards, including the riverine flooding hazard (commonly referred to as the floodplain). Managing natural hazards, including the regulation of development in floodplains is critical to protecting life and minimizing property damage associated with flooding. In the Grand River watershed, a floodplain is determined based on the greater of the Hurricane Hazel storm event (the Regional storm) or the 100-year return period flood. The flood produced through these calculations is called the Regulatory Flood, the limits of which define the extent of the riverine flooding hazard and the regulation.

The GRCA is undertaking a project to update floodplain mapping for the Lower Conestogo River between the Conestogo Dam near Glen Allan to where it meets the Grand River near the Village of Conestogo (see Figure 1). The GRCA is currently seeking feedback on proposed mapping changes, which will result in amendments to the regulated area mapping under Ontario Regulation 41/24.

How you can participate:
Until October 24, 2025, feedback is welcome through the “Reviewer” tool below, at a public information meeting, or via mail as outlined below.

1. Send us your feedback through the online “Reviewer” tool:
Visit the project webpage at https://www.grandriver.ca/lowerconestogoregmappingupdate.ca/ to view the existing floodplain along with the proposed floodplain and submit comments.

2. Attend a Public Information Meeting (PIM):
Please join us at one of the PIMs below.

PIM #1: VIRTUAL
Date: September 22, 2025 at 7:00 p.m.
Location: Virtual via Zoom. If you wish to attend the virtual public meeting, please register by sending an email to Kimiko Chhapyan at kchhapyan@grandriver.ca and a link to the meeting will be sent to you closer to the date. The virtual presentation will be available on the GRCA website following the meeting.

PIM #2: IN-PERSON
Date: September 25, 2025 at 5:00 - 7:30 p.m., with a presentation at 6:00 p.m.
Location: Woolwich Memorial Centre, 24 Snyder Avenue South, Elmira N2B 1Y9

3. Provide comments via mail:
400 Clyde Road, PO Box 729 Cambridge, ON N1R 5W6 Attention: Beth Brown

We value your input and if you have questions or need help accessing the materials, please contact Beth Brown at 519-621-2763 ext. 2307 (bbrown@grandriver.ca).

More information is available on the GRCA website at: https://www.grandriver.ca/lowerconestogoregmappingupdate.ca/

Sincerely,
Beth Brown Senior Program Manager