A Wet Spring Floods into the Upper Thames River Watershed

This spring, the Upper Thames River watershed experienced a drawn-out 10-year flood. A spring flood with this total runoff volume occurs approximately once every 10 years, or has about a 10% chance of occurring in any given year. ��

This year, the spring freshet (i.e., flooding due to snowmelt and rain) spanned three weeks, with the UTRCA issuing eight Flood Bulletins for five separate events between March and April. The first bulletin was issued on March 16th as a strong low-pressure system entered the province, bringing warm air and rain.����

At that time, the snowpack across the watershed contained the equivalent to about 75 mm of water. A typical spring snowpack in the Upper Thames River watershed contains 100 mm of water equivalent (based on records dating back to 1957).

Frozen and saturated ground meant the runoff would cause water levels in streams and rivers to rise with some low-lying flood plain areas being inundated. With the rain and above freezing temperatures, water levels remained high for several days.

On Friday, March 31st, a low-pressure system moved into the province, bringing 30-55 mm of rain accumulation with more to come over the weekend. By April 3rd, up to 70 mm of rain had fallen with an additional 30-55 mm still expected.

During this time, water levels rose again, causing minor flooding in some areas. The UTRCA operated the flood control reservoirs at Fanshawe, Wildwood, and Pittock Conservation Areas to reduce downstream flooding. Fanshawe Reservoir reduced flows in the North Thames River by 55%, as 450 m³/sec were flowing into the reservoir, and 250 m³/sec were being discharged from the dam. Similarly, Wildwood reduced flows on Trout Creek from 35 m³/sec to 15 m³/sec, and Pittock reduced flows on the South Thames from 60 m³/sec to 30 m³/sec.

By the end of this 21-day event, 115 mm of rain had fallen, and 75 mm of snow water equivalent had melted, making this spring particularly wet. This combined 190 mm of rain and snowmelt resulted in 140 mm of runoff.�� Typically, we expect spring runoff of 75 – 100 mm.

In February 2018, a flood with similar runoff volumes occurred over a period of days rather than weeks, resulting in higher peak flows and much more damage to property. For example, peak discharge leaving the Upper Thames River watershed, as measured at the hydrometric gauge in Byron, was about 600 m³/sec in�� 2023, in contrast to 1,020 m³/sec in February 2018.

The recent rain and snowmelt also increase groundwater recharge, defined as water that percolates from the surface of the ground downward into aquifers. Groundwater recharge mainly occurs during spring months. Due to warmer temperatures, snowmelt, and the high volume of rain recently experienced, the soil is mostly saturated. As a result, more water travels across the surface of the soil and into waterbodies, instead of seeping into the soil.

Explore the Watershed Report Cards in an Interactive Map and StoryMap��

There are two new and exciting ways to explore the 2022 Upper Thames River Watershed Report Cards. ��

The ����ֱ�� (UTRCA) produces report cards every five years to report on the environmental conditions in each of the 28 watersheds in the Upper Thames River watershed with a focus on surface water quality and forest conditions. Now, you can use your desktop or mobile web browser to interact and tour the watersheds using an and !��

The Interactive Map allows users to navigate through UTRCA’s watersheds using data visualization. Users can select a watershed to highlight it on the map, interact with bar graphs to visualize report card grades using geographic information, and easily access the report card from your own watershed.��

Check out the .��

The Story Map will take users through a visual experience, exploring report card grades, watershed highlights, and multimedia content for each of the watersheds. Users can scroll through the entire watershed story at their own pace or select watersheds of interest to explore further.��

Check out the .��

Both of these interactive applications are user-friendly and provide a unique way to learn about the status of our local watersheds. Follow the links in this article or go to the watershed report card page on our website to see for yourself. Happy exploring!��

Contact: Craig Irwin, Water Quality Specialist

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Get Ready for Adventure — Conservation Areas Open on May 1st!

Fanshawe, Pittock, and Wildwood Conservation Areas (CAs) will be open from May 1st to Oct 15th, 2023. The possibilities for adventure are endless with hiking and biking trails, camping, fishing, boating, sports, picnic shelters, and special events.����

Fanshawe Conservation Area

Fanshawe CA offers including the Lake Trail (20 km). As the name suggests, the Lake Trail loops around Fanshawe Lake and is an excellent spot for mountain biking. Park visitors are also able to to paddle across the lake.����

Fanshawe Lake also provides many fishing opportunities. Those interested in fishing can check out the which includes fish species and a map.��

Fanshawe CA is also home to the beautiful , offering a perfect spot for weddings and events. It boasts expanses of greenspace, shady trees, and a waterfront view.��

Pittock Conservation Area

The Husky Trail provides a 5 km loop in Pittock CA for hikers and bikers alike. Park visitors can also enjoy a splashpad, playground, beach volleyball court, and a disc golf course.������

The lake at Pittock CA is one of the area’s greatest attractions. Visitors can fish from shore or from a boat, and access the program to source fishing equipment. The provides information on fish species and seasonality.����

Water sports are also popular at Pittock CA where you can water ski, kayak, canoe, or sail on the lake.��

Wildwood Conservation Area

range from 1.2 km to 25 km and can be used for hiking and biking. When you’re looking to take a break and relax, there is plenty of greenspace to enjoy a picnic.��

Park visitors interested in water sports can to cruise around the picturesque Wildwood Reservoir. are also available, along with the outlining nine species that can be found in the lake.��

Camping��

Camping is available at all three conservation areas, including seasonal and shorter term. The campgrounds are usually busy on weekends from late June to early September. We recommend reserving a campsite in advance to avoid disappointment.��

Book a campsite at , , or .

We hope to see you at our Conservation Areas this season!

The Power of Trees!��

It was no joke when ����ֱ�� (UTRCA) staff��worked together with volunteers from��Festival Hydro to hand out 300 trees to the��public in Stratford on Saturday, April 1^st (April Fools) for��the Festival Hydro Tree Power Program.��

This partnership started in 2021 and has��allowed Festival Hydro customers an affordable��chance to get native hardwood trees for��their property. The species of trees offered��were as follows: maple, paper birch,��hackberry, black cherry, red oak, basswood��or tulip tree. UTRCA and Festival Hydro are��very excited to provide this opportunity as��tree planting provides many environmental��benefits including reduced cooling costs,��clean air promotion, water purification and��improved biodiversity.��

Fortunately, the rain held off for the��morning and the sun came out to greet locals��as they came for pickup on Saturday��morning. There was a lot of eagerness and��excitement in the air as everyone patiently��waits to welcome the warmth of spring!��

Thank you to all who were involved,��including the lovely Festival Hydro��volunteers and everyone who purchased a tree!

River Safety Program Celebrates 25 Years!��

The River Safety Program, and its beloved characters, Splish and Splash, celebrate 25 years of raising awareness about being safe around water.��

Each year, Upper Thames River Conservation Area (UTRCA) Community Education staff present important water safety and water systems messages through a series of interactive activities. Throughout the years, this program has been adapted to reflect changing curriculum, class sizes, technology, and inclusion of Indigenous Knowledge. The program even went virtual during COVID-19 restrictions when staff were not able to attend classrooms.��

Thanks to sponsorship from service clubs and community groups, over 1,550 students were able to participate in the program in 2023. These groups included the Rotary Clubs of St. Marys and Stratford; the Optimist Clubs of Downie, Kirkton-Woodham, Mitchell, Shakespeare, Tavistock, Byron, Thorndale, Carling Heights; Thamesford Lions; and Tecumseh Community School.����

With change always on the horizon, the next 25 years of the River Safety Program will continue to adapt while ensuring that important messages about protecting people and property, delivering stewardship, and engaging communities and youth remain prevalent and relevant.��

Rural Landowners Discuss Conservation Projects at Workshops in Ilderton and Mitchell��

����ֱ�� (UTRCA) Stewardship Services staff joined colleagues from the Ausable Bayfield Conservation Area, Maitland Valley Conservation Area, and St. Clair Region Conservation Area in hosting two landowner workshops. One was held in Ilderton on March 21st, and the other in Mitchell on March 23rd.����

Both workshops featured community members speaking about their experiences with conservation projects, and Conservation Authority (CA) experts and extension staff outlining landowner opportunities for their properties.����

Len Duynisveld a Thames Centre poultry producer and cash crop farmer, provided details on , cover crops, and no-till farming.����

Kris Crump, a beef and cash crop farmer and certified erosion control contractor, spoke about his experience with erosion control structures and wetland creation on his properties.����

Rick Kootstra, a producer from Huron County who is actively involved with the Huronview Demonstration Farm on behalf of the Huron-Perth Soil & Crop Improvement Association, discussed strip tillage, wetlands, and activities on the demonstration farm.������

A number of UTRCA staff, including Rob Davies, Forestry and Restoration Supervisor, provided information on the Authority’s tree planting programs, native grassland establishment, and wetland creation opportunities.����

There was plenty of great discussion during and after the presentations. Thanks to all CA staff who helped put these events together.��

Mitchell Workshop: Dean Trentowsky, the Deputy Mayor of West Perth and UTRCA Board Member offers his thoughts while welcoming over 40 workshop participants in Mitchell.

Ilderton Workshop: Ken Phillips, General Manager of the St. Clair Region Conservation Authority provided welcoming remarks at the Ilderton workshop that attracted over 60 participants.

Contact: , Forestry and Restoration Supervisor�� ��

Conservation Areas – Opening Preparations for the 2023 Conservation Areas Operating Season��

With the longer days and warmer temperatures of spring comes a familiar reminder for conservation��area (CA) staff: May 1st opening day is getting closer. While eyes are focused on opening day, there are many steps required to get Fanshawe, Pittock and Wildwood CAs ready for opening day.��

During February and March, we focus on recruitment which is��crucial as we cannot operate our CAs without seasonal staff. CA Supervisors began working with Human Resources and Marketing staff to get the various seasonal��positions posted and advertised. It should be noted that between the three CAs we��annually hire approximately 60 seasonal staff, so the collaboration between CA, Human��Resources and Marketing staff is key to getting our staffing message out there. April becomes very busy with interviews and subsequent job��offers.��

Prior to seasonal staff beginning work, they are involved with an extensive training process which, again, involves collaboration between Human Resources, Health and Safety, and CA Supervisors.��Each seasonal staff member receives, as part of their hiring package, training modules to cover off��elements of health and safety and the UTRCA Personnel Regulations. These are completed by staff��electronically and tracked for completion by Human Resources staff. ��

Staff will gather at the CA they have been hired at, for a common orientation day and a��chance to meet their co-workers. While this orientation day will have a few more elements of training from Human Resources and Health and��Safety staff, the focus begins to turn to the CAs��themselves. A key part of the day is introducing the staff (new and returning) to their CA��and what it has to offer for programs and services as well as receive job specific training. ��

The final part of the puzzle to getting the conservation areas ready for the May 1st opening is getting��“boots on the ground,” the operational side of things. This means having staff work together to develop��skills acquired through orientation and training and getting the properties ready. There are sticks to move,��garbage to collect, campsites to prepare, grass to cut, tables to move, docks to go on the reservoirs,��facilities to open, drinking water systems to start up and get samples to the lab, risk management��inspections to undertake, and many questions from prospective patrons to answer. ��

Key to this��operational process is the weather, which at times sees staff still dealing with rain and cold��temperatures or high water events, which slows up the timing for work to be completed. Fortunately,��the outlook for the remainder of April looks favorable, with conditions perfect for having our��CAs in prime condition to welcome patrons back for the 2023 operational season.��

��Contact: Damian Schofield, Conservation Areas Coordinator

World Water Day����

March 22 was World Water Day and the Friends of Medway Creek were excited to partner with the Museum of Ontario Archaeology to lead a guided hike!��

With some muddy paths in the Medway Valley Heritage Forest, the hike shifted to a paved path just outside of the museum, along Snake Creek. Guests of all ages braved the cold to learn more about local water systems, natural heritage, winter tree identification, and bird identification. We even saw a muskrat going to and from his home in Snake Creek. ��

Later in the evening, the Museum of Ontario Archaeology hosted a webinar discussing Underwater Archaeology.��

Thank you to those who came out to the event! Stay tuned for future hikes along the Medway.��

If you’re interested to learn more about the Friends of Medway Creek contact:��April Scholz, Community Partnership Specialist.