Streams and Rivers remain above Normal: Stay Away from Watercourses (media release, January 2, 2023)
Streams and Rivers remain above Normal: Stay Away from Watercourses (media release, January 2, 2023) The Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) reminds residents to use extreme caution near all watercourses and to keep children and pets away from rivers, streams, ditches, and ponds. Stream banks are slippery and unstable and the water is cold, fast-moving, and higher than normal. Any ice cover will be weakened and unstable. Flood [...]
Forecast Rain will Impact Water Levels over the Remainder of the Week (flood bulletin, January 2-6, 2023)
Forecast Rain will Impact Water Levels over the Remainder of the Week (flood bulletin, January 2-6, 2023) WATERSHED CONDITIONS STATEMENT – WATER SAFETY Issued January 2, 2023 at 3:30 pm; Valid until January 6, 2023 A slow moving Colorado Low is forecast to move through southern Ontario over the next three days, bringing continued above freezing temperatures for most of the region, and rain for southwestern Ontario. Forecasts call [...]
Environmental Assessment continues at Embro Dam (media release, January 3, 2023)
Environmental Assessment continues at Embro Dam (media release, January 2, 2023) The Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) and Matrix Solutions Inc. are continuing work on the Class Environmental Assessment (EA) for the Embro Dam in the Township of Zorra. The EA was initiated in 2015 due to significant concerns related to the structural integrity and hydraulic (spillway) capacity of the Embro Dam. The work paused in 2017 to allow for [...]
Conservation Authority Issues Safety Reminder: Stay Away from Watercourses (media release, December 31, 2022)
Conservation Authority Issues Safety Reminder: Stay Away from Watercourses (media release, December 31, 2022) The Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) reminds the public to exercise extreme caution and stay away from all watercourses and water bodies during the current snowmelt and rain. With schools closed over the holiday period, caregivers are reminded to keep children and pets away from watercourses. Banks adjacent to rivers and creeks are very [...]
Watercourses Responding to Snow Melt and Rain (flood bulletin, Dec 31, 2022-Jan 2, 2023)
Watercourses Responding to Snow Melt and Rain (flood bulletin, Dec 31, 2022-Jan 2, 2023) WATERSHED CONDITIONS STATEMENT – WATER SAFETY Issued December 31, 2022 at 3:10 pm; valid until January 2, 2023 Most of the snow on the ground has melted as of yesterday and is running off into water courses. The Upper Thames River watershed has received 15-30 mm of rain since last evening, which is further adding [...]
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. [...]