Saugeen Conservation has upgraded its Flood Outlook statement to a Flood Watch for the Municipality of West Grey, citing the presence of frazil ice and potential for localized flooding along the Main Saugeen River.
The advisory, which remains in effect until January 20, 2025 warns of heightened water levels below McGowan Falls due to a partial blockage between the Durham Upper Dam and Middle Dam caused by slush and frazil ice.
Erik Downing, General Manager of the Saugeen Valley Conservation Authority (SVCA), explained that this dynamic type of ice is particularly problematic in the Durham area.
“The Saugeen River upstream of Durham is very prone to frazil ice formation,” said Downing. “As the ice flows downstream, it can settle and cause blockages, leading to increased water levels in specific areas. We’ve seen frazil ice accumulate in these areas before, and it has caused significant problems."
Frazil ice, a naturally occurring phenomenon, forms when cold air interacts with open water, creating slushy, gummy ice that can settle unpredictably in river systems.
The SVCA and West Grey municipal staff are closely monitoring the situation, with increased efforts to ensure public safety. Municipal staff have been advised to prepare for potential emergency responses, while the SVCA continues to provide updated flood forecasting and warning information.
“Our role is to monitor and forecast flooding risks, whether from rainfall or phenomena like frazil ice,” said Downing. “We escalate our messaging as conditions evolve, from flood outlooks to watches and, if necessary, warnings. Currently, we’re at a Flood Watch level, which means heightened vigilance and monitoring.”
As part of the safety measures, the walkway at the Durham Upper Dam and the trail between the Upper and Middle Dams have been closed to the public. Residents are urged to avoid these areas until further notice.
This flood watch comes on the heels of a controversial decision by the SVCA Board last November to remove boards installed at the Durham Upper Dam following the catastrophic 1997 flood. These boards were initially implemented as a pilot project to mitigate flooding but were later found to exacerbate structural stress on the dam. Downing acknowledged the divided opinions on the board’s decision but defended the action as necessary.
“The boards were causing deterioration to the dam, which was never intended to hold back ice,” he explained. “Leaving them in place posed a risk of structural failure, especially during high-pressure ice events. Given the recent influx of ice material, it’s clear that the decision to remove the boards was prudent.”
Moving forward, the SVCA and the Municipality of West Grey are exploring long-term solutions to address frazil ice and its impacts. Downing emphasized the importance of collaboration and the need for an updated environmental assessment to determine the best course of action. “This is a natural phenomenon tied to the characteristics of the watershed,” he said. “While we can’t eliminate frazil ice, we can develop strategies to better manage its effects through Durham.”