The Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA) will spend about $31 million this year on programs that protect water quality, reduce flood damages, protect natural areas, support responsible development and provide outdoor recreation and environmental education.

The budget was approved by the GRCA board on Friday, February 24, 2017. The board is made up of 26 members appointed by the municipalities in the Grand River watershed.

Municipalities will contribute $11 million in general municipal levy to the GRCA this year, about 36 per cent of the total budget. The municipal levy portion is up about 2.5 per cent this year, about $10.60 per resident.

Government grants totaling approximately $4 million represents nearly 13 per cent of the budget. This includes $800,000 from municipalities towards the Rural Water Quality program. The remainder is primarily provincial grants, which include funding of over $800,000 for the Source Protection Program.

The GRCA also receives approximately $300,000 in funding from the federal government. $220,000 of 2017’s funding is in support of Canada 150 projects.

Finally, the GRCA generates about $14.6 million, or about 47 per cent, of its own revenue through revenue sources such as camping fees, park admissions, nature centre programs, hydro sales, property rentals, tree sales, planning permits, and donations raised by the Grand River Conservation Foundation.

Water Control Structures:

  • Shand, Laurel & Guelph Dam: $100,000 will be spent on backup generators & fuel system upgrades to meet current code requirements. Guelph Dam will also include design & fabrication of a bulkhead to isolate discharge valve for repair work.
  • Conestogo Dam: Detailed design of the gate electrical gain heater and control system as well as an update of the emergency preparedness plan. The cost is estimated at $85,000.
  • Laurel Dam: $60,000 will be spent completing the final phase of the dam safety study and gate operating system refurbishments.
  • Woolwich Dam: $425,000 will be spent to refurbish the gates, replace gate control equipment, finalize hazard potential classification and develop an emergency preparedness plan.
  • Caledonia Dam: $40,000 will be spent to install new stop log gains and a new set of stop logs.
  • Dunnville Dam: The dam fish ladder will be redesigned at an approximate cost of $25,000.
  • Wellesley Dam: $55,000 will be spent to complete the design and tender documents for future concrete repairs and to refurbish the gate.
  • Wellington Street Dam: $30,000 will be spent to complete the design of a rehabilitation plan for the superstructure.
  • Brantford Dyke: Approximately $45,000 will be spent to initiate toe repairs of the concrete slab and to redesign the dyke through the abandoned railway line which requires manual placement of stop logs to complete the dyke.
  • Cambridge Dyke: Repairs of two sections of the river wall will be completed at an approximate cost of $330,000.

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