Flood watch continues after heavy rain, melt, snowfall and runoff

The Grand River Conservation Authority has issued a flood watch for the Nith River due to high water levels from heavy rain and melting snow this week. It also warned the rest of the watershed is at risk of flooding due to ice jams making their way through the river system.

"The Grand River Watershed received between 20 and 30 mm of rain on Wednesday night. This rain coupled with snowmelt over the past few days has resulted in high runoff throughout the watershed," wrote spokesman Cam Linwood in a news release. 

That could lead to flooding in low-lying areas, with water levels likely peaking near warning level 1 in New Hamburg and Ayr, said the GRCA. 

Temperatures below zero will reduce the runoff, however the threat of ice jams and river backups remains.