Rain and Warm Temperatures Forecast over the Next Several Days (flood bulletin, Dec 29, 2022-Jan 2, 2023)
Rain and Warm Temperatures Forecast over the Next Several Days (flood bulletin, Dec 29, 2022-Jan 2, 2023) WATERSHED CONDITIONS STATEMENT – WATER SAFETY Issued December 29, 2022 at 5:25 pm; valid until January 02, 2023 A low pressure weather system that is moving across Ontario is sweeping a warm and moist air mass from the south-central United States into Ontario, bringing above zero temperatures to a large portion of [...]
Celebrate the Holidays by getting outside (UTRCA weekly, December 23, 2022)
Celebrate the Holidays by getting outside (UTRCA weekly, December 23, 2022) The Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) wishes everyone a happy and healthy holiday season. Visiting a UTRCA property is a great way to stay active and connect with nature during this time and there are many locations to visit throughout the watershed. Fanshawe (London), Pittock (Woodstock), and Wildwood (St. Marys) Conservation Areas are closed for camping, [...]
Treed Buffer Planted on Pittock Conservation Area’s South Shore (UTRCA weekly, December 16, 2022)
Treed Buffer Planted on Pittock Conservation Area’s South Shore (UTRCA weekly, December 16, 2022) Pittock Reservoir’s south shore has a new treed buffer, planted by Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) staff and school students over the past four years. The buffer is approximately 50 metre wide and 600 m long, and flanks Pittock’s South Shore Trail and the Lampman-Lock Drain on UTRCA land. The buffer roughly follows the [...]
UTRCA responds to Bill 23 but it’s business as usual, for now (UTRCA weekly, December 9, 2022)
UTRCA responds to Bill 23 but it’s business as usual, for now (UTRCA weekly, December 9, 2022) In late November, the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) Board of Directors sent a letter to Premier Doug Ford outlining its concerns regarding Bill 23, More Homes Built Faster Act. The letter states that, “Conservation Authorities want to do their part to help the Province meet its goal of building 1.5 [...]
Library Project a Success again this year (UTRCA weekly, November 25, 2022)
Library Project a Success again this year (UTRCA weekly, November 25, 2022) The Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) partnered with area libraries again this year to give library patrons the opportunity to visit our Conservation Areas. The UTRCA provided 2022 Season Vehicle passes to the Childreach Lending Library, London Public Library, North Perth Library, Perth East Library, St. Marys Public Library, Stratford Public Library, and Oxford County libraries. [...]
Community Plantings to end the year (UTRCA weekly, November 18, 2022)
Community Plantings to end the year (UTRCA weekly, November 18, 2022) The Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) has wrapped up a busy year of community plantings, adding trees and plants to two more sites this October. The UTRCA was pleased to work with Oneida Nation of the Thames and TD Tree Days on October 7. A total of 250 new trees were planted, including pear, apple, peach, white [...]
Tracking Water Quality in Stratford (UTRCA weekly, November 11, 2022)
Tracking Water Quality in Stratford (UTRCA weekly, November 11, 2022) Earlier this week, volunteers with the Avon River Environmental Association (AREA) collected water samples from the Avon River in Stratford. The group collects samples twice a year to be tested for E. coli as part of their efforts to improve the Avon’s water quality. The results are shared with the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) and included in [...]
Low Water Conditions ended in Upper Thames River watershed (media release, November 4, 2022)
Low Water Conditions ended in Upper Thames River watershed (media release, November 4, 2022) The Level 1 Low Water conditions that have been in effect for the Upper Thames River watershed since mid-July have ended, according to the local Low Water Response Team. Low water advisories are part of a three-tiered system used in Ontario to inform the public of local low water conditions. “We evaluate low water conditions [...]
Low Water Conditions ended in Upper Thames River watershed (low water update, November 4, 2022)
Low Water Conditions ended in Upper Thames River watershed (low water update, November 4, 2022) The Level 1 Low Water Condition that has been in effect for the Upper Thames River watershed since July 15, 2022, has been terminated. The Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) recommended the change to the local Low Water Response Team based on precipitation and streamflow indicators as of late October. 30 Day Precipitation [...]
Let’s talk soil health! (UTRCA weekly, November 4, 2022)
Let’s talk soil health! (UTRCA weekly, November 4, 2022) Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) stewardship staff recently met up with the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) Soil Team as well as local farmers, Jeremy O’Shea and Belinda Bowman, to discuss all things soil. The morning began at one of the water sampling stations in the upper Medway Creek subwatershed. UTRCA staff discussed an initiative [...]