60 mm rainfall April 4, 2025 – Upstream of Allan’s Dam
The City of Guelph is making an important decision about climate change, and they need all the facts. Allan’s Dam, built in the 1830s, doesn’t serve its original purpose anymore. It’s not producing energy (nor can it), mitigating floods, or augmenting flow.
We believe that removing the dam is crucial to reduce the impacts of flooding from extreme weather events
But the City doesn’t have the information they need to make that decision. The only way to know for sure is if the city completes a hydraulic study that will model the the impacts of removing the dam.
Read our detailed submission to the City here
Source: Google Earth
Removing the dam could significantly reduce the height of any flooding.
Currently, with the dam in place, 200 lives and 80 residential properties are at risk. These properties lie in the GRCA floodplain and are highly likely to flood during extreme weather. Removing the dam will greatly reduce these risks, lower flooding on MacDonell Street bridge, and possibly cut costs and risks when the bridge is rebuilt. This can also help re-naturalize shorelines, improve water quality, and lower water and air temperatures to combat climate change.
This decision affects human safety, property and natural heritage to combat climate change.
On October 28th, Guelph City Council is voting on the Macdonell and Allan’s Structures Environmental Assessment to keep the dam.
Demand they delay the vote until the hydraulic study, modelling removal of the dam, is done.
Your support can make a difference!
