Public Reminded to Stay Away from Watercourses (media release, December 10, 2021)
Public Reminded to Stay Away from Watercourses (media release, December 10, 2021) With rain in the forecast and the ground already saturated, the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) reminds residents to stay away from watercourses over the weekend. A strong cold front will make its way through southern Ontario bringing rain and strong winds to the Upper Thames watershed, beginning tonight and continuing into Saturday night. Environment and [...]
Rain Forecast Friday and Saturday (flood bulletin, December 10-13, 2021)
Rain Forecast Friday and Saturday (flood bulletin, December 10-13, 2021) WATERSHED CONDITIONS STATEMENT – WATER SAFETY Issued December 10, 2021 at 11:00 am; Valid until December 13, 2021 A strong cold front will make its way through southern Ontario bringing rain and strong winds to the Upper Thames watershed, beginning tonight and continuing into Saturday night. Environment and Climate Change Canada has issued a Special Weather Statement predicting heavy [...]
Studying the Economics of Cover Crops (UTRCA Weekly, December 10, 2021)
Studying the Economics of Cover Crops (UTRCA Weekly, December 10, 2021) Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) staff have long recognized the environmental benefits of cover crops, and now are looking at their economic impact, too. Mike Funk, UTRCA Agricultural Soil and Water Quality Technician, explained that cover crops can have a direct impact on water quality and quantity, as they improve infiltration and reduce runoff during extreme rain [...]
Rain Forecast Sunday into Monday (flood bulletin, December 5-7, 2001)
Rain Forecast Sunday into Monday (flood bulletin, December 5-7, 2001) WATERSHED CONDITIONS STATEMENT – WATER SAFETY (Issued December 5, 2021 at 1:00 pm; valid until December 7, 2021) A low pressure system will track east across the Great Lakes later Sunday and into Monday bringing strong winds and rain to the Upper Thames watershed. Forecasts are calling for 20-30 mm of rain in the region. Although this precipitation is not expected [...]
Community Science Volunteer Spotlight: Mike and Ruth John (UTRCA Weekly, December 3, 2021)
Community Science Volunteer Spotlight: Mike and Ruth John (UTRCA Weekly, December 3, 2021) This year, the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) has been working with 12 watershed property owners to pilot a new Community Precipitation Monitoring Project. Participants have been measuring and recording daily precipitation using the online Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow Network (CoCoRaHS) platform. CoCoRaHS is a community based network of volunteers across North America [...]
September 2021 flood event (UTRCA Weekly, November 26, 2021)
September 2021 flood event (UTRCA Weekly, November 26, 2021) The Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) watershed’s most significant flood event since before the pandemic, occurred as a result of 50-135+ mm of rain falling over a 24 hour period on September 22-23. With the watershed already saturated from rain earlier in the month, much of this rain was not absorbed into the ground, but rather ran off into [...]
UTRCA brings back popular holiday event (media release, November 26, 2021)
UTRCA brings back popular holiday event (media release, November 26, 2021) The Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) invites families to come help share Christmas with the animals at Wildwood Conservation Area. On Saturday, December 4, UTRCA staff will lead families on an outdoor walk as they feed the birds, leave presents for the animals and enjoy a story by the fire. The program is most suitable for families [...]
Autumn Groundwater Well Sampling is Well Underway (UTRCA Weekly, November 19, 2021)
Autumn Groundwater Well Sampling is Well Underway (UTRCA Weekly, November 19, 2021) October and November are a busy time for Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) staff who are collecting water samples and groundwater supply data at monitoring wells across the Upper Thames watershed. The UTRCA has 28 groundwater monitoring wells that are part of the Provincial Groundwater Monitoring Network (PGMN), and additional monitoring wells with the City of [...]
Conservation Field Day at UTRCA’s Thorndale Demonstration Farm (UTRCA weekly, November 12, 2021)
Conservation Field Day at UTRCA’s Thorndale Demonstration Farm (UTRCA weekly, November 12, 2021) On Wednesday, November 3, Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) staff hosted a Conservation Field Day for the public at the UTRCA’s Thorndale Demonstration Farm. This 58 acre farm demonstrates various best management practices (BMPs) and showcases how to improve soil health and local water quality. Brad Glasman, UTRCA Manager of Conservation Services, explained that, “The [...]
UTRCA offering free, family-friendly Nature Nearby program (media release, November 12, 2021)
UTRCA offering free, family-friendly Nature Nearby program (media release, November 12, 2021) The Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) invites families to get outside and take part in a free Nature Nearby program on Saturday, November 20th. UTRCA staff are offering this fun educational program in three locations on the same day - Mitchell, St. Marys, and Stratford. This new program is the result of a partnership with the [...]