Opening Soon! Wildwood Nature School (media release, September 29, 2020)
September 29, 2020 - The Upper Thames River Conservation Authority is excited to launch the Wildwood Nature School program at Wildwood Conservation Area for fall 2020! This individually registered program is designed to provide safe, nature-based outdoor learning through play and exploration. We consulted parents, caregivers, and professional organizations in developing this program and we are pleased to bring this type of programming to our area. Participants will find that every trip [...]
Upper Thames River Watershed moves to Level 1 Low Water Conditions (low water update, July 14, 2020)
Upper Thames River Watershed moves to Level 1 Low Water Conditions (low water update, July 14, 2020) One Month Precipitation The Upper Thames River watershed received an average of 53 mm of precipitation in June (about 67% of normal), ranging from 40 mm in Stratford, to 80 mm in London. The long term average for June is 80 mm, measured at the London Airport and reported by ECCC. Three [...]
Nightly Camping Opening Soon! (media release, June 16, 2020)
June 16, 2020 - The Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) is opening nightly camping at Fanshawe Conservation Area (London) on June 29, and at Pittock Conservation Area (Woodstock) and Wildwood Conservation Area (St. Marys) on July 6. “We are pleased to announce that nightly camping is opening soon,” said Jennifer Howley, UTRCA Conservation Areas Manager. “We need people to continue to respect physical distancing and group size maximums, to [...]
Gypsy Moth and Euonymus Webworm Populations Explode (media release, June 12, 2020)
June 12, 2020 - During the past week, forestry staff at the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) have received many inquiries about population explosions of European Gypsy Moth and Euonymus Webworm. Both species of caterpillars can quickly defoliate trees and shrubs. Defoliation by these invasive species in successive years can be very stressful on trees, making them susceptible to other stressors. "We want to alert people to these non-native [...]
More Services Opening at UTRCA Conservation Areas (media release, June 11, 2020)
June 11, 2020 - The Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) is opening day use washrooms at Fanshawe Conservation Area (London) on June 12 and Pittock Conservation Area (Woodstock) on June 15. Backcountry camping at Wildwood Conservation Area (St. Marys) will open June 22. UTRCA staff members are reaching out to local health units and other campground staff to discuss safe protocols for opening overnight camping. The UTRCA will give [...]
UTRCA Conservation Areas Opening for Boating and Seasonal Camping (media release June 1, 2020)
June 1, 2020 - The Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) is opening day use, boat launches, and reservoirs to the public as of June 1st at 8 am at Fanshawe Conservation Area (London), Pittock Conservation Area (Woodstock), and Wildwood Conservation Area (St. Marys). "We are excited to begin offering boating this week and seasonal camping in the near future," said Jennifer Howley, UTRCA Conservation Areas Manager. "We also continue [...]
Wet Forecast for Victoria Day Weekend (flood bulletin, May 16-19, 2020)
WATERSHED CONDITIONS STATEMENT - FLOOD OUTLOOK (Issued May 16, 2020 at 2:30 pm; Valid until May 19, 2020) A low pressure system forecast to move into southwestern Ontario on Sunday will bring rain into the region over the next few days. This system has the potential to bring a total of 50 mm to 90 mm of rain to the Upper Thames River watershed, mostly over Sunday and Monday. While [...]
May Long Weekend at UTRCA Conservation Areas (media release, May 13, 2020)
May 13, 2020 - The Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) recognizes that this May long weekend will be like no other. The Victoria Day holiday weekend is traditionally the unofficial start of the summer camping season but that’s not going to be the case this year. "With the provincial COVID-19 Emergency Order in place, we cannot offer camping or boating over the long weekend," said Jennifer Howley, UTRCA Conservation [...]
City of Woodstock Pittock Dam Walkway Opening (media release, May 1, 2020)
Woodstock, May 1, 2020 – The City of Woodstock in conjunction with the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) are excited and pleased to announce that access across the bridge of Pittock Dam will be open on Friday, May 1. For the first time in more than 40 years, pedestrians will be able to walk across the dam, linking the north and south shores of Pittock Reservoir. This latest complement [...]
2020 Thames River Clean Up Cancelled (media release, April 9, 2020)
April 9, 2020 - The organizers of the annual Thames River Clean Up regretfully inform everyone that the 2020 Thames River Clean Up is cancelled due to Covid-19. For 20 years, thousands of people have come together in late April to clean up the Thames River from Mitchell to Lake St. Clair, in celebration of Earth Day. The Thames River Clean Up has been rescheduled many times over the past [...]