New Safety Feature at Fanshawe Conservation Area
New Safety Feature at Fanshawe Conservation Area Visitors to Fanshawe Conservation Area may have noticed some construction underway on the reservoir near the dam in late 2024. In December, a safety boom was installed in the reservoir to enhance public safety. This essential addition is in accordance with the Canadian Dam Association (CDA) guidelines. The safety boom creates a visible barrier to prevent reservoir users from getting too close [...]
Assisted Migration for Trees
Assisted Migration for Trees Assisted migration is an adaptation tool. It involves collecting seed or genetic material from one location and moving it to an area where the climate, either now or predicted for the future, is similar to what the genetics were exposed to in their original location. As weather and climate patterns change, trees need to adapt to and with these changes. Certain trees and their genetics [...]
Children’s Water Festival Comes to Woodstock in 2025 – Registration Now Open (media release, Jan. 14, 2025)
For Immediate Release January 14, 2025 Children’s Water Festival Comes to Woodstock in 2025 – Registration Now Open This year, the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) is hosting the Children’s Water Festival at Pittock Conservation Area in Woodstock, ON from May 13 – 16. Elementary students in grades two through five will enjoy hands-on activities to learn about the importance of water in their daily lives. “Each year, [...]
UTRCA’s Nature School Programming available for upcoming PA Day (media release, January 14, 2025)
UTRCA’s Nature School Programming available for upcoming PA Day The Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) is launching a new PA Day program in partnership with the Stratford Perth Museum. This fun-filled day mimics the UTRCA’s Nature School program and is aimed at 8- to 12-year-old students. Activities will include fire making, printmaking, and snowshoeing. “We have some really fun indoor and outdoor activities planned with a focus [...]
Streams and rivers rising due to melting snow and rain (media release, December 28, 2024)
Streams and Rivers Rising due to Melting Snow and Rain The Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) reminds everyone to be very cautious around all local waterways and to stay away from flood control reservoirs. The warmer temperatures and rain will melt most of the remaining snow over the next few days, leading to increased runoff and higher flows in ditches, streams, and rivers. Banks next to rivers and [...]
Watercourse Levels Expected to Rise Due to Melting Snow and Rain (flood bulletin, December 28, 2025 – January 2, 2025)
Watercourse Levels Expected to Rise Due to Melting Snow and RaiWatercourse Levels Expected to Rise Due to Melting Snow and RainnWatercourse Levels Expected to Rise Due to Melting Snow and Rain Watershed Conditions Statement – Water Safety (2024 Flood Event 12, Bulletin 1) Issued December 28, 2024, at 10:00 am; Valid until January 2, 2025, at 12:00 pm The current above freezing temperatures are expected to continue until the [...]
Streams and rivers running high due to melting snow (media release, December 17, 2024)
Streams and Rivers Running High due to Melting Snow The Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) reminds everyone to exercise extreme caution around all rivers, streams, ditches, and ponds. The warmer temperatures and rain are melting much of the snow cover, and the runoff has increased flows in local waterways. An average of 15 mm of rain fell across the Upper Thames River watershed since Sunday evening, on top [...]
Water levels rise due to melting snow (flood bulletin, December 16-20, 2024)
Watercourse Levels Rising Due to Melting Snow Watershed Conditions Statement - Water Safety (2024 Flood Event 11, Bulletin 1) Issued December 16, 2024, at 4:30 pm; valid until December 20, 2024, at 12 pm) The warmer temperatures that began Sunday are causing the snowpack to melt. Daytime temperatures are forecast to remain above freezing for the next two days and continue the melting trend. There is also some rain expected over [...]
Protecting Your Drinking Water During Winter
Protecting Your Drinking Water During Winter Tips for Safe and Sustainable Snow and Ice Management It’s that time of year again! Snow is falling, and with it comes icy roads and sidewalks. While road salt and snow plowing are essential for keeping our roads, parking lots, walkways, and driveways safe, the overuse and improper storage of road salt can pose a significant threat to drinking water quality. Fortunately, there [...]
Cold Weather Preparation at Pittock Conservation Area
Cold Weather Preparation at Pittock Conservation Area Staff at Pittock Conservation Area (PCA) have been busy since the end of the camping season preparing PCA for the winter months. There are several projects underway to get ready for the next season of camping. In an extension of last year’s project, two additional sections of the aged underground water distribution system were replaced – from the PCA store to washroom [...]