Bruce County council received a report on the flooding in Pinkerton.
Since March 13th, 2026, the hamlet of Pinkerton, located within the Municipality of Brockton, has been faced with significant flooding following the breach of a privately owned flood control structure along the Teeswater River.
Bruce County Director of Transportation and Environmental Services Adam Stanley shared some news with council.
“Staff have been working collaboratively with the Municipality of Brockton to support the ongoing efforts to mitigate flooding impacts and reduce risks to impacted residences. A section of Bruce Road 15 remains closed until further notice, at the recommendation of our engineer on file, which is B.M. Ross.”
The breach, combined with rainfall and the spring thaw led to what’s being called a once-in-a-hundred-year event.
A temporary watertight cofferdam, made from large sandbags, was constructed on March 19th and 20th by Brockton with the use of local contractors, Hydro One, and municipal staff.
During council discussions, Stanley was asked when the section of Bruce Road 15 would re-open, particularly with a busy agricultural season about to get underway.
Stanley shared that due to guidelines set by the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Saugeen Valley Conservation Authority will delay the road re-opening. Depending on conditions it may happen in the spring, but it could also be delayed until later this summer.
“Early indications from the MNR and the conservation authorities are hinting at a timeline, between May and August, so it is possible it may be closed for the planting season this year, unfortunately,” he explained.
According to the report, the initial impacts included flooding for several nearby residential properties on the west side of the hamlet, and a washout of a section of Bruce Road 15, which was immediately closed to through traffic by county staff.
The Municipality of Brockton has been leading the efforts to mitigate the impacts of the flooding on the nearby residential properties.
Temporary Cofferdam Installed – March 20, 2026 (Image via Bruce County)