Message Number: 2026-12
Issued on: April 17, 2026 (2:00pm)
Issued by: Ian Eriksen, GSCA Flood Duty Officer
To: The Town of South Bruce Peninsula and Watershed Media

Message:

While no rain is forecast for today, an additional 5 to 15 mm of rain is expected on Saturday. The water level at Gould Lake and through Hepworth remains high and is expected to remain high for several days or more. In addition, flooding is reported to be actively occurring. As a result, Grey Sauble Conservation Authority (GSCA) has upgraded to a Flood Warning for the Town of South Bruce Peninsula, specifically for the areas in and around Gould Lake and Hepworth.

Water levels in the major watercourses across the watershed are dropping and are expected to continue to drop over the next week. As a result, the Flood Watch for the remainder of the watershed has ended.

Bruce County and the Town of South Bruce Peninsula are aware of the extremely high water levels and will continue efforts to improve the situation. However, if residents notice the situation getting worse or any significant changes, they can call the Town Hall at 519-534-1400 to report these changes. If changes are noticed after hours, please follow the phone system prompts.

Flood Warnings are issued when flooding is imminent or already occurring. Landowners within these areas should monitor their situation and be prepared to evacuate if necessary. While the situation is generally improving in both areas due to 24 hours without rain, it is still critical.

GSCA reminds everyone that significant runoff events can lead to unsafe conditions near rivers and streams. Fast moving water and slippery or unstable banks can present significant safety risks. Stay alert and avoid watercourses when flows are high.

Grey Sauble staff will continue to monitor the weather and the flows and provide additional updates as needed. Watershed residents can access stream flow and rain gauge data through the Watershed Conditions page on our website: www.greysauble.on.ca/watershed-conditions-maps/

This Statement expires Friday, April 24^th, 2026 at 4:00pm unless replaced by further updates.

Contact: Ian Eriksen, Flood Duty Officer, flood@greysauble.on.ca; ph 548-877-0701

Message Number: 2026-11
Issued on: April 15, 2026 (10:30am)
Issued by: Ian Eriksen, GSCA Flood Duty Officer
To: All Grey Sauble Conservation Watershed Municipalities and Watershed Media

Message:

Following another intense rainfall overnight, several local waterways are expected to exceed normal spring runoff levels with several smaller watersheds in Georgian Bluffs and South Bruce Peninsula experiencing much higher levels than typically seen. As a result, Grey Sauble Conservation Authority (GSCA) has upgraded to a Flood Watch Statement for all municipalities within the watershed.

Much of the watershed received 20 to 25 mm of rain over the last 6 hours, with the total rainfall over the past 72 hours ranging from 75 to 120 mm. Additional rain is forecast for Wednesday afternoon and Thursday.

Water levels along most of the larger river systems are rising again and are expected to exceed normal spring levels but are not expected to reach levels seen earlier this spring. These systems should peak later today. However, parts of the Sauble River and Sydenham River system are expected to continue to rise overnight and may reach or exceed levels already seen this spring. South Bruce Peninsula and Georgian Bluffs are reporting road closures due to flooding. In addition, unusually high-water levels are already occurring in Gould Lake, Hepworth Creek/Spring Creek in Hepworth, and Parkhead Creek through Shallow Lake. Flooding in low-lying areas is also occurring. There is the potential to see more flooding resulting in further road closures, restricting access to some areas.  

Flood Watches are issued when flooding is possible along local watercourses. Landowners within known flood prone areas should monitor their situation and be prepared in case of flooding. GSCA reminds everyone that significant runoff events can lead to unsafe conditions near rivers and streams. Fast moving water and slippery or unstable banks can present significant safety risks. Stay alert and avoid watercourses when flows are high.

Grey Sauble staff will continue to monitor the weather and the flows and provide additional updates as needed. Watershed residents can access snow, stream flow and rain gauge data through the Watershed Conditions page on our website: www.greysauble.on.ca/watershed-conditions-maps/

This Statement expires Friday, April 17^th, 2026 at 4:00pm unless replaced by further updates.

Contact: Ian Eriksen, Flood Duty Officer, flood@greysauble.on.ca; ph 548-877-0701

Message Number: 2026-10
Issued on: April 13, 2026 (10:00 am)
Issued by: Ian Eriksen, GSCA Flood Duty Officer
To: All Grey Sauble Conservation Watershed Municipalities and Watershed Media

Message:

Intense rainfall resulted in 25 to 70 mm of precipitation across the watershed on Sunday. Larger river systems have responded, and most were starting to peak prior to the rain early Monday morning. It is not anticipated that water levels will exceed normal spring runoff levels for most systems. However, the Sauble River system has received 50 to 70 mm of rain over the past 24 hours and is still rising and may exceed normal spring levels. Levels in the Sauble are not expected to be as high as earlier this year.

An additional 10 to 15 mm of rain is forecast to fall daily for the next 4 days. The rainfall could be heavy at times. The additional rain is expected to keep water levels high for the rest of the week but is not expected to exceed normal spring levels.

Local watersheds remain saturated from recent rain events and have limited ability to absorb more water, resulting in surface runoff. Depending on the intensity and amount of rainfall, small watercourses and urban drainage systems will fill up quickly and may result in localized flooding of low-lying areas.  

Grey Sauble Conservation Authority would like to remind everyone that significant runoff events can lead to unsafe conditions near rivers and streams. Fast moving water, slippery or unstable banks, and melting ice can present significant safety risks. Please stay alert and avoid watercourses when flows are high.

Grey Sauble staff will continue to monitor the weather and water levels and provide additional updates as needed.

Watershed residents can access snow, stream flow and rain gauge data through the Watershed Conditions page on our website: www.greysauble.on.ca/watershed-conditions-maps/

This Statement expires Friday, April 17th, 2026 at 4:00pm unless replaced by further updates.

Contact:  Ian Eriksen, Flood Duty Officer, flood@greysauble.on.ca , ph 548-877-0701

Message Number: 2026-09
Issued on: April 4, 2026 (11:30am)
Issued by: John Bittorf, GSCA Flood Duty Officer
To: All Grey Sauble Conservation Watershed Municipalities and Watershed Media

Message:

A Colorado low will bring up to 25 – 40mm of rain to the area today and into this evening. Rainfall may be heavy at times, with locally higher amounts possible during thunderstorms. Local watersheds remain saturated from recent rain events and have limited ability to absorb more water, resulting in surface runoff. Depending on the intensity and amount of rainfall, small watercourses and urban drainage systems will fill up quickly and may result in localized flooding of low-lying areas. Larger rivers systems will respond, but we do not anticipate they will exceed normal spring runoff levels.

Grey Sauble Conservation Authority would like to remind everyone that significant runoff events can lead to unsafe conditions near rivers and streams. Fast moving water, slippery or unstable banks, and melting ice can present significant safety risks. Please stay alert and avoid watercourses when flows are high.

Grey Sauble staff will continue to monitor the weather and water levels and provide additional updates as needed.

Watershed residents can access snow, stream flow and rain gauge data through the Watershed Conditions page on our website: www.greysauble.on.ca/water-management/current-watershed-conditions/

This Statement expires Tuesday, April 7th, 2026 at 12:00pm unless replaced by further updates.

Contact:  John Bittorf, Flood Duty Officer, flood@greysauble.on.ca , ph 548 877 0585

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