Flood Warning for Zone 1 - Ayr and Floor Watch for Zone 2 - Ayr

The Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA) has issued a Flood Warning for the watershed.   Specific to North Dumfries and the Community of Ayr, the GRCA has issued a combined Flood Warning for Zone 1 and a Flood Watch for Zone 2.   This advisory is specific to the Nith River.

Temperatures in the watershed have increased to above freezing and have reached double digits on Saturday, March 7, 2026. Air temperatures are expected to remain above freezing until Wednesday, March 11. The watershed received between 15 to 30 mm of rain on Friday and Saturday with some additional rain and thunderstorms expected Saturday evening. The snowpack in the northern part of the watershed contains a significant amount of water content. Warm temperatures combined with rain, which may be heavy at times, is resulting in snowmelt and increased runoff. 

Flows in the Nith River are expected to reach Flood Warning Zone 1 in Ayr during the morning of Sunday, March 8, and may extend to Flood Warning Zone 2 on late Sunday evening. 

A Zone 1 Flood Warning means that low lying areas along the Nith River that are typically prone to springtime flooding can expect to witness water overtop river banks.  Specific to Downtown Ayr, a Zone 1 Flood Warning would witness floodwaters overtop Tannery Street and extend into the parking areas at the rear of the businesses that front onto Northumberland Street.

A Zone 2 Flood Warming would witness floodwaters at the rear of the buildings that front onto Northumberland Street adjacent to Tannery Street. 

The Township will be sending out a message through the Alert Waterloo network to residents / business that have previously registered with the municipality within the Zone 1 area of the pending flood conditions and associated Flood Warning.  

The Township anticipates having to CLOSE Tannery Street to vehicular traffic during the morning of Sunday March 8^th due to the anticipated flood conditions.

At this time there are no flood concerns associated with the Grand River for that section which flows through North Dumfries. 

The public is encouraged to exercise caution around all local waterways and ponds. Banks adjacent to rivers, ponds and creeks are very slippery and, when combined with fast-moving water, pose a serious hazard. Parents are reminded to keep their children and pets away from all watercourses and open water. 

Residents of the Township are encouraged to monitor the Township’s website, social media accounts and the GRCA for updates over the next 24 hours.  

How to stay up-to-date?

To stay up-to-date on flood watches and warning:

• Subscribe to the Grand River Conservation Authority’s flood warning system at www.grandriver.ca and; 
• Follow the Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA) on Twitter at @grca_flood_msg 

For local flood response, including road closures, detours and more:

• Visit the Township’s website at www.northdumfries.ca  and

Follow the Township of North Dumfries on Twitter at @northdumfries