Low Water Conditions in the Upper Thames Watershed
Low Water Conditions in the Upper Thames Watershed The summer’s hot, dry weather has led the Low Water Response Team for the Upper Thames River watershed to declare a Level 1 Low Water advisory. The advisory is part of a three-tiered system used in Ontario to inform the public of local low water conditions. The key indicators used to evaluate low water conditions are precipitation over the past one month and three months, and stream flows over the past month. The Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) measures flows at more than 30 stations across the Thames River and [...]
Turtle Program Spotlight!
Turtle Program Spotlight! This August the Species at Risk team and Community Education team were able to come together to provide a spotlight on the amazing turtle conservation work of the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) through three different events. The 2025 Reptiles at Risk Friends and Family Day hosted on Saturday, August 23, was a huge success! With over 120 people in attendance, we were able to share the amazing work by Scott Gillingwater, UTRCA’s Species at Risk Biologist, and the Southern Ontario at Risk Reptile (SOARR) team with staff’s friends and family. Participants got to learn [...]
Public Health Ontario’s New Water Testing Portal Toolkit
Public Health Ontario’s New Water Testing Portal Toolkit Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) drinking water source protection staff is pleased to announce the launch of Public Health Ontario (PHO)’s new Water Testing Portal Toolkit. The portal provides a modern, streamlined way for Ontarians to test and access results for their private drinking water systems. This initiative is designed to make testing faster, more efficient, and more accessible, while continuing to support the province’s drinking water source protection efforts. Why This Matters Many Ontarians rely on private drinking water sources such as wells, cisterns, or treated lake water. Unlike [...]
Volunteering at a Freshwater Mussel Survey with the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority
Volunteering at a Freshwater Mussel Survey with the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority A few weeks ago, I had the incredible opportunity to participate in a Freshwater Mussel Survey with the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA). It was such a rewarding experience! For those who may not know, the Thames River supports one of the richest communities of freshwater mussels in Canada. Historically, it was home to 32 species of native freshwater mussels. Unfortunately, studies have shown a continuous decline in mussel diversity over time. Many of the species that have disappeared were key indicators of a healthy [...]
Fall Tree Power sales underway
Fall Tree Power sales underway There are currently three Tree Power sales underway across the watershed, providing residents with affordable native tree species to plant on their property. Looking to green your yard, provide habitat for animals, and reduce home cooling costs? Take advantage of these great programs! Volunteers help hand out trees at the 2024 Perth South Tree Power Perth South Tree Power has 10 species available including American Sycamore, Paper Birch, and Tulip. Pick up day will be Saturday, September 27, from 8 - 10 am at the Perth South Municipal Office in St. Pauls. [...]
ProtectingOurWater.ca: A New Resource Website
ProtectingOurWater.ca: A New Resource Website The Thames-Sydenham Source Protection Region would like to introduce our new resource website, www.ProtectingOurWater.ca. This website will serve as the education and outreach hub for Source Water Protection in the Thames-Sydenham Source Protection Region. It’s delivered in partnership with the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) and municipal partners to equip residents, businesses, and planners with knowledge and tools to protect our shared water sources. Under Ontario’s Clean Water Act, 2006, source water protection is the foundational "first barrier" in a multi‑barrier framework to ensure safe drinking water from source to tap. ProtectingOurWater.ca explains: [...]
Installation of Vegetated Mats at Pittock Conservation Area
Installation of Vegetated Mats at Pittock Conservation Area For the first time, the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) has installed live vegetated mats as part of a new restoration initiative at Pittock Conservation Area. Each mat, measuring approximately 0.25 m², was pre-seeded with native wetland plants, including broadleaf cattail, common arrowhead, and soft-stem bulrush. These species are well adapted to the shallow water conditions found in Southwestern Ontario. Vegetated mats, also known as bioengineering mats, represent an innovative form of natural infrastructure that supports both erosion control and ecological restoration. This technique was first introduced in the early [...]
Dams and Clams: Helping Aquatic Species in Lake Victoria
Dams and Clams: Helping Aquatic Species in Lake Victoria Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) staff recently waded in to help aquatic wildlife following an unplanned drawdown of Lake Victoria in Stratford. Water levels in the man-made lake slowly receded after a sluice gate in the RT Orr Dam could not close completely due to debris during a storm on July 24. The gradual decrease in water levels gave staff time to move many aquatic species. Led by UTRCA’s Aquatic Biologist, a team of 12 staff spent three days along the shoreline rescuing stranded mussels, as well as one [...]
Perth South Tree Power returns!
Perth South Tree Power Returns! The Township of Perth South and the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) have once again partnered to make native trees available and affordable for residents. The Perth South Tree Power program launched in 2021 and has been extremely well-received each year, with trees selling quickly. Tree orders for this year will open online on Tuesday, August 19 at 9 am. The trees will be available for pick up at the Perth South Municipal Office in St. Pauls on Saturday, September 27. The goal of this project is to create a greener and more [...]
Annual Pittock Staff BBQ and Awards
Annual Pittock Staff BBQ and Awards On a sunny afternoon at Pittock Conservation Area (PCA) on July 24th, our amazing team came together for the annual Staff Social BBQ—a well-deserved celebration of hard work, dedication, and team spirit. The event featured a classic summer menu of juicy hamburgers, sizzling hot dogs prepared by master chefs Steve and Elijah, and a sweet treat of ice cream topped with fresh strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries. It was a chance for staff to relax, share laughs, and enjoy each other’s company away from the daily hustle of park operations. The event was made extra special with the [...]