It is a corporate body, through which municipalities, landowners and other organizations work cooperatively to manage the Grand River watershed and natural resources within it.

A main part of the Grand River's course flows through the Carolinian life zone, which contains a southern type of forest that is found only in this area of Canada.

It was built for flood control and the low flow augmentation to improve water quality during the dry summer months.

Prior to World War II, renewable natural resources were exploited to encourage economic and industrial expansion and growth.

The Act was based on three main principles: The Grand River Conservation Authority is a corporate body established to enable municipalities to jointly undertake water and natural resource management on a watershed basis - for the benefit of all.