Spring Storm Forecast (flood bulletin, April 2-5, 2024)
Spring Storm Forecast Watershed Conditions Statement - Water Safety (2024 Flood Event 4, Bulletin 1) Issued April 2, 2024 at 1:00 pm; valid until April 5, 2024 at 12:00 pm Weather forecasts are predicting a Colorado low pressure system will enter Southern Ontario today, bringing with it approximately 30 mm of rain in the Upper Thames River basin. Rain is expected to begin this afternoon and continue through tomorrow. The Upper Thames [...]
Changes to Conservation Authority Development Permitting (media release, March 27, 2024)
Changes to Conservation Authority Development Permitting (media release, March 27, 2024) On April 1, 2024, a new provincial regulation and updated legislation go into effect, related to the mandatory role of Conservation Authorities in regulating development in or near natural hazards. The Upper Thames River Conservation Authority’s (UTRCA) regulatory activities protect people and property from natural hazards and support safe development. Staff will continue to review development proposals that [...]
Thames Centre Delegates Upper Thames River Conservation Authority as Risk Management Official and Inspector (media release, March 25, 2024)
Thames Centre delegates Upper Thames River Conservation Authority as Risk Management Official and Inspector (media release, March 25, 2024) Under the Ontario Clean Water Act, the Thames-Sydenham and Region Source Protection Plan (SPP) was developed to protect municipal sources of drinking water in the Upper Thames River, Lower Thames Valley, and St. Clair Region watersheds. These three regions make up the Thames-Sydenham Source Protection Region (TSR). Various policies included [...]
Tree Power Sales Continue
Tree Power sales continue Tree Power programs are currently underway in three municipalities in the watershed. The Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) is running the program in London, Stratford and West Perth and offering $25 trees to residents living in those municipalities. Details about current tree sales are: The first West Perth Tree Power in partnership with the Municipality! Tree pick up will be Saturday, April 6. [...]
UTRCA Board 2024 Elections
UTRCA Board 2024 Elections The Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) Board of Directors held this year’s elections at its meeting on January 30. Brian Petrie, Mayor of Ingersoll, returns for a second year as Board Chair. After his election, Petrie shared, “I would like to thank my fellow Board Members for giving me this opportunity to serve as Chair for another year. I am extremely proud to [...]
New Spring Extended Season at Fanshawe and Wildwood Conservation Areas
New Spring Extended Season at Fanshawe and Wildwood Conservation Areas Based on the success of the extended season in fall 2023, the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) has added an extra four weeks of day-use access to Fanshawe and Wildwood Conservation Areas (CAs) this spring. Effective Monday, April 1st, the extended season will run until Tuesday, April 30th. “We received such great feedback about the extended season this [...]
UTRCA Concerned about Illegal ATV use in Ivey Tract (media release, March 13, 2024)
UTRCA Concerned about Illegal ATV use in Ivey Tract (media release, March 13, 2024) The Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) is ramping up enforcement after numerous ATV users have been illegally accessing the Ivey Tract. The Ivey Tract, also known locally as the Putnam Tract, is a 112-ha property located on the South Thames River between Dorchester and Putnam. It is part of the Provincially Significant Wetland known [...]
UTRCA at the London Farm Show
UTRCA at the London Farm Show The Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) has had a booth at the annual London Farm Show for over 50 years. This year, our booth showcased a range of topics including the Thorndale Demonstration Farm, Drinking Water Source Protection, Water Quality Monitoring, Fish of the Thames, and Agricultural Resiliency. Additionally, forestry staff collaborated with other Southwestern Conservation Authorities at the neighbouring booth to [...]
Do you know what’s in your water?
Do you know what’s in your water? The Upper Thames River Conservation Authority made a notable appearance at the London Farm Show during the first week of March. Representing Thames-Sydenham and Region, our Drinking Water Source Protection team shared Best Practices for Private Well owners. At the event, we distributed well water sample collection kits to owners of private drinking water systems, encouraging them to test their drinking water. [...]
Robins – the Harbingers of Spring
Robins – the Harbingers of Spring It happens every year – someone happily announces that they saw their “first spring robin.” For many, the American Robin is considered to be a harbinger of spring; a joyous sign that warmer days are just ahead. Winter sightings of robins are much less common, leading many to assume they are absent. So it’s understandable when people are confused and concerned when they [...]