Rainfall Warnings and Watches Issued in the Area (flood bulletin, June 18-20, 2025)
Rainfall Watches and Warnings Issued in the Area Watershed Conditions Statement - Flood Outlook 2025 Flood Event 3, Bulletin Number 1 (Issued at June 18, 2025 at 4:15 pm; Valid until June 20, 2025 at 12 noon) Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Watch in the London area, and a Rainfall Warning in the Stratford area. The Upper Thames River Conservation Authority’s (UTRCA) rain [...]
Stream of Dreams Mural Brings Environmental Education and Community Art to Dearness Home Service (media release, June 17, 2025)
Stream of Dreams Mural Brings Environmental Education and Community Art to Dearness Home Service A colourful new mural is making waves at the City of London’s Dearness Home Service and the media are invited to capture the moment. On June 18, Dearness residents, staff, and partners will come together as a vibrant display of painted “Dream Fish” is installed on a fence outside the care home—each fish a unique [...]
Community Education Hits the Road: Flooding and Turtles Take the Spotlight
Community Education Hits the Road: Flooding and Turtles Take the Spotlight On May 10, 2025, Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA)’s Community Education team was out in full force, participating in two major public outreach events in London: Emergency Preparedness Day and Science Rendezvous. At the Emergency Preparedness Day, staff engaged residents with several hands-on tools including the floodplain simulator, flood hazard puzzles, and the Thames River watershed puzzle. [...]
Now Open – Upper Thames River Phosphorus Reduction Program Year 2
Now Open – Upper Thames Phosphorus Reduction Program Year 2 The Upper Thames River Phosphorus Reduction Program is now accepting applications for year two with an expanded list of funding categories designed to support practical, on-the-ground improvements. This year, we have added 4R Phosphorus Management which includes up to $15/acre for Crop Nutrient Planning and Soil Testing, and $50/acre for applying manure to low phosphorus soils plus a [...]
Westminster Ponds South Pond Dock Replacement
Replacing Dock at Westminster Ponds's South Pond As part of ongoing efforts to enhance accessibility and public enjoyment of the Westminster Ponds Environmentally Significant Area (ESA), the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA), working on behalf of the City of London, completed the replacement of the floating dock at South Pond in Spring 2025. The previous dock, which had become undersized and outdated, was removed in Fall 2024. A [...]
UTRCA at Western University for Science Olympics
UTRCA at Western University for Science Olympics This spring, the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) participated in the Science Olympics held at Western University. The Science Olympics is a fun and engaging way to learn about subjects such as Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Engineering, and Math through friendly, group competition. Students from grades 9 to 12 from across Southwestern Ontario competed in over a dozen stations against other schools [...]
Walkerton 25th Anniversary
Walkerton 25th Anniversary May 2025 marks 25 years since the water contamination event in Walkerton, a pivotal moment that reshaped how we approach drinking water safety across the province. This anniversary offers an opportunity to reflect on how far we’ve come in protecting the sources of our drinking water and to recognize the collective effort that continues to strengthen Ontario’s leadership in water safety. In response, Ontario took decisive [...]
2025 Oxford Children’s Water Festival a Resounding Success
2025 Oxford Children’s Water Festival a Resounding Success The Oxford Children’s Water Festival returned to Pittock Conservation Area from May 13 to 17, 2025, welcoming over 3,500 students for a week of hands-on environmental learning and outdoor fun. Hosted by the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA), the festival offered engaging activities focused on water conservation, environmental science, and community stewardship. Students from across the watershed explored interactive stations [...]
UTRCA Participates in MECP Spills Training
UTRCA Participates in MECP Spills Training If you noticed the bright green water in Crockett Drain in Dorchester earlier this month, do not be alarmed! On June 3, the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) hosted a spills response training in Dorchester. This training was held at Dorchester Conservation Area, which is managed by the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA). Staff from both the UTRCA and the [...]
Perth Children’s Water Festival in St. Marys
Perth Children’s Water Festival in St. Marys The 2025 Perth Children’s Water Festival on Sunday, May 25, 2025 was a great success with over 800 people attending. The Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) would like to thank our sponsors, community partners and volunteers who helped make it possible. Water Festival Organizing Committee: Avon Maitland District School Board Don Gibson Huron Perth Public Health Ontario Clean Water Agency Ontario [...]