Snow Surveys in the UTRCA Watershed
Snow Surveys in the UTRCA Watershed With all the snow the Upper Thames River watershed has received this winter, residents may be wondering if major flooding is in the forecast. The Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) has been manually surveying accumulated snow across the watershed since 1957, as part of the flood forecasting and warning services it provides to watershed municipalities to inform residents and businesses of impending [...]
SOARR Marks 2025 Achievements and Launches Its 33rd Year
SOARR Marks 2025 Achievements and Launches Its 33rd Year Our modern world often results in most of us being inundated with a constant barrage of information, responsibilities, and pressures, so it is often hard to stay focused on a single thing. Sometimes that means that we lose sight of the threats to our environment, and the wildlife within it. This is why groups and organizations that focus on wildlife [...]
P.A. Day Fun with the UTRCA and Stratford Perth Museum
P.A. Day Fun with the UTRCA and Stratford Perth Museum On Friday, January 30, the UTRCA partnered with the Stratford Perth Museum once again to provide a jam-packed day of outdoor activities and museum exploration for 20 day camp participants. This unique session brought together children ages 6–10 for an entire day of fun, making full use of the museum’s indoor spaces as well as the forest and meadow [...]
Conservation Authority urges caution around Streams and Rivers (media release, February 16, 2026)
February 16, 2026 Conservation Authority urges caution around Streams and Rivers The Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) expects this week’s warmer temperatures and rain will melt some of the snowpack and raise water levels in local rivers and streams. Everyone is reminded to use extra caution and avoid waterways and flooded areas. A low-pressure system has entered the region and is forecast to remain throughout the week, bringing [...]
Warm-up Expected to Cause Elevated Water Levels (flood bulletin, February 15-20, 2026)
Warm-up Expected to Cause Elevated Water Levels Watershed Conditions Statement – Flood Outlook 2026 Flood Event 2, Bulletin Number 1 (Issued February 15, 2026, at 6:00 pm; Valid until February 20, 2026, at 12:00 pm) A warm-up with rain forecast over the next several days is expected to cause runoff and elevated water levels in watershed rivers and streams. A low-pressure system has entered the region and is forecast to [...]
Mid-Winter Reminder: Salt, Snow, and Protecting Our Drinking Water
Mid-Winter Reminder: Salt, Snow, and Protecting Our Drinking Water As winter settles in and snow and ice become part of our daily routines, road salt and snow removal play an important role in keeping sidewalks, driveways, and roads safe. However, mid-winter is also a key time to pause and think about how these winter practices can impact our drinking water sources. Why Winter Matters for Source Water Protection It’s easy to assume that frozen ground protects [...]
2025 Water Quality Monitoring Summary
2025 Water Quality Monitoring Summary The Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) assesses water quality through surface water and groundwater monitoring programs. These programs test multiple parameters at sites throughout the watershed, providing a good overview of long-term data and trends in water quality.
UTRCA Tree Planting on Private Lands Program
UTRCA Tree Planting on Private Lands Program Visit the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) website to order your large stock trees and seedlings to plant next spring. We have a wide variety of coniferous and deciduous trees and wildlife shrubs available. Trees ordered through this program can be planted by the landowner or through our full planting service (if minimum order requirements are met). Planting projects include: windbreaks, retiring highly erodible land, treed [...]
Phosphorus in our Watershed
Phosphorus in our Watershed This January, the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA), with support from the Canada Water Agency, launched "Phosphorus in our Watershed," a specialized educational initiative for local Grade 9 Science students. In this three-part program, UTRCA Community Education staff reached nearly 100 students across four classes in the northern part of our watershed at Stratford District Secondary School and St. Michael Catholic Secondary School. [...]
Christmas and Winter for the Animals
Christmas and Winter for the Animals In December and January, Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) Education staff were delighted to host over 600 Kindergarten, Grade 1 and 2 students for our Christmas for the Animals and Winter for the Animals programs at Fanshawe Conservation Area. The wintery weather certainly cooperated with us, leaving a snowy landscape for the students to explore and enjoy! Students made lasting memories of [...]