Rainy Week Ahead, UTRCA Advises Caution near Watercourses (media release, March 31, 2026)
Rainy Week Ahead, UTRCA Advises Caution near Watercourses With rain in the forecast, the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) is reminding everyone to be cautious near watercourses. A low-pressure system has entered the region and rain is forecast every day for the rest of the week. Up to 50 mm of rain is forecast by the end of Saturday. The UTRCA does not expect serious flooding but is [...]
Rainy Week Ahead (flood bulletin, March 31 – April 6, 2026)
Rainy Week Ahead Watershed Conditions Statement – Flood Outlook 2026 Flood Event 4, Bulletin Number 1 (Issued March 31, 2026, at 9:30 am; Valid until April 6, at 12:00 noon) A low-pressure system has entered the region, and forecasts are calling for some rain each day for the remainder of the week. A total of approximately 50 mm is forecast to be received by the end of Saturday. Today’s forecast [...]
Labatt Breweries of Canada and Upper Thames River Conservation Authority Announce Water Stewardship Partnership (Media Release, March 24, 2026)
Labatt Breweries of Canada and Upper Thames River Conservation Authority Announce Water Stewardship Partnership London, March 24, 2026 - Labatt Breweries of Canada and the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) have announced a new partnership focused on protecting and improving local water systems through community-driven action and research. The partnership includes a $10,000 investment from Labatt to support the development of a community science program to empower volunteers with [...]
Spring Shoulder Season returns to our Conservation Areas (media release, March 23, 2026)
For Immediate Release Spring Shoulder Season returns to our Conservation Areas Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) staff are busy preparing for the spring Shoulder Season at Fanshawe and Wildwood Conservation Areas (CAs). This adds four weeks of day-use access from Wednesday, April 1st until Thursday, April 30th, 2026. It is the fourth year offering a Shoulder Season in response to the demand from visitors to the CAs. “We’re looking forward to welcoming visitors [...]
Stay Away from Streams and Rivers as Spring Runoff Continues (media release, March 17, 2026)
March 17, 2026 Stay Away from Streams and Rivers as Spring Runoff Continues Local streams and rivers are still hazardous, and the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) is reminding everyone to use extreme caution near all watercourses and stay out of any flooded areas. The March school break is on and it is especially important to keep children and pets away from watercourses. Stream banks can be slippery [...]
Streams and rivers remain above normal as spring runoff continues (flood bulletin, March 17-23, 2026)
Streams and Rivers Remain above Normal as Spring Runoff Continues Watershed Conditions Statement – Water Safety 2026 Flood Event 3, Bulletin Number 4 (Issued March 17, 2026, at 1:30 pm, Valid until March 23, 2026, at 12:00 pm) Most of the remaining snow in the Upper Thames River watershed has melted, with Sunday’s warm temperatures resulting in more runoff in the northernmost portions of the watershed on Monday. Water [...]
London Middlesex Master Gardeners Seedy Saturday
London Middlesex Master Gardeners Seedy Saturday The robins and red-winged blackbirds returned just in time for Seedy Saturday on March 7, an event that marks an important rite of spring for gardeners and plant enthusiasts.More than 2000 visitors took in over 60 exhibition booths that featured a wide array of activities, information, and gardening products. At the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority booth, Partnerships and Education staff provided visitors with information [...]
Spring Shoulder Season Returns to our Conservation Areas
Spring Shoulder Season Returns to our Conservation Areas Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) staff are busy preparing for the spring shoulder season at Fanshawe and Wildwood Conservation Areas (CAs). This adds four weeks of day-use access from Wednesday, April 1st until Thursday, April 30th. It is the fourth year offering a shoulder season in response to the demand from visitors to the CAs. “We’re looking forward to welcoming [...]
Spring Peeper (Pseudacris crucifer)
Spring Peeper (Pseudacris crucifer) For many, the first calls of the spring peeper mark the return of spring. These tiny frogs are rarely seen but, during the spring mating season, they are often heard. At only three centimetres long, about the length of a paper clip, they are Ontario’s smallest frog. They are light brown or grey in colour and distinguished from other chorus frogs by a distinctive dark X-shape [...]
Southwestern Ontario Conservation Authorities at the London Farm Show
Southwestern Ontario Conservation Authorities at the London Farm Show In the first week of March, Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) stewardship staff joined neighbouring Southwestern Ontario Conservation Authorities at the London Farm Show. Together, staff across the region highlighted stewardship programs that offer cost‑share funding and technical support to improve soil health, water quality, and natural habitat. Key initiatives include: phosphorus reduction programs, rural water quality programs, and restoration services [...]