Ontario Investing $540,000 to Protect Communities Against Flooding

The following news release was issued by the Government of Ontario (Ministry of Natural Resources).

New funding supports research to better manage water resources and build more flood resilient communities across Ontario

October 30, 2026

WATERLOO — The Ontario government is investing $540,000 to help communities strengthen flood preparedness and resilience. As part of its plan to protect Ontario communities, this new three-year Collaborative Research Agreement with the University of Waterloo will leverage hydrologic modelling tools to inform water management decisions and infrastructure planning to help keep communities safe against the threat of flooding. This will give municipalities, conservation authorities and local dam operators the information and tools they need to better prepare for flooding and optimize dam operations.

“We are taking proactive steps to be better prepared, so that when flooding happens, we can reduce its impacts,” said Mike Harris, Minister of Natural Resources. “By funding collaborative research projects with academic partners like the University of Waterloo, our government is ensuring we have the best and most up-to-date information to keep people and property safe.”

Today’s announcement builds on the success of a previous four-year, $494,500 agreement with the University of Waterloo that resulted in the development of the Ontario Hydrologic Modelling System (OHMS), the Ontario Hydrologic Atlas (OHA), the Streamflow Alteration Index (SAI), and the Ontario Lake and River Routing Product (OLRRP). All of these tools will be made publicly available for municipalities, conservation authorities, consultants, water managers and more to support their work.

“Better models and improved forecasts of floods can give communities more time to prepare and help the province manage its dams to balance competing demands on Ontario’s rivers and lakes,” said Bryan Tolson, Professor at the Department of Civil and Environment Engineering, University of Waterloo. “The project also gives our graduate students direct experience working alongside ministry scientists on real water resources applications and water management problems.”

This investment advances Ontario’s Flooding Strategy and will strengthen flood preparedness and water management in areas across the province. As part of this agreement, the government is working directly with the District Municipality of Muskoka and University of Waterloo researchers to use advanced modelling and analysis tailored to the watershed to enhance community preparedness, and support decision-making and flood response.

Quick Facts

This investment is part of Ontario’s broader commitment to Collaborative Research Agreements with universities across the province, including seven agreements announced in January 2026 to support research that is helping to protect wildlife, fisheries and other natural resources.

Ontario invests over $5 million every year in a flood forecasting and warning network that helps municipalities better prepare for flood events.

The province is currently funding 21 active Collaborative Research Agreements in Ontario, bringing the total investment to more than $2.8 million.

Since 2018, the Ontario government has invested over $2 billion into the research sector, including support for over 1,859 research projects that drive ground-breaking discoveries and protect jobs and build the economy across key sectors, such as life sciences, agriculture, auto manufacturing and information technology.

Quotes

“Ontario’s world-class researchers are driving critical advancements that keep our communities safe and prepared, right at our own backyard. Our government’s investment will ensure that bright researchers at the University of Waterloo can develop ground-breaking discoveries that protect Ontario in the face of floods while keeping the province on the cutting-edge of innovation.”
– Nolan Quinn, Minister of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security

“Flooding has presented significant challenges for communities across Parry Sound-Muskoka in recent years. I’m pleased to see our government supporting research that will help municipalities and property owners better understand and prepare for potential flood risks. I want to thank the University of Waterloo for undertaking this important work and look forward to its findings.”
– Graydon Smith, MPP, Parry Sound-Muskoka