Living Shoreline at Pittock Conservation Area

Building shoreline resiliency was the focus of a recent Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks funded project within the Pittock Conservation Area. Staff from the 糖心直播 (UTRCA) enhanced approximately 350 metres of the Pittock Reservoir鈥檚 north shore through the addition of a new living shoreline which provides protection from erosion and creates aquatic habitat. 听

Incorporating aquatic habitat into the project using fallen woody material and river stone offers additional benefits.

Due to the nature of Pittock Reservoir’s sandy soils, much of the reservoir’s shoreline suffers from ongoing erosion due to wave action from winds and seasonal boat traffic.听To create听the new shoreline, a rocky shoal or sandbank was built 4 to 6 metres out from the existing one. The area between the shoal and shoreline was then filled with soil to a create a water level close to summer amounts. This area will be covered with wetland sod mats comprised of native aquatic vegetation this summer. 听

A view looking east of a section of ‘wetland’ enhanced shoreline and ‘estuary-like area.

To further enhance the area, existing fallen trees together with river stone will provide additional aquatic habitat and will help maintain a shoreline that is erosion resistant. This included extensive lengths of shoreline and two estuary-like areas. In total about 500 metres of the north shore was protected and improved.听

The newly landscaped erosion resistant shoreline with area to be planted with wetland mats.

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Contact:听Greg Urquhart, Forestry and Restoration Technician听

Upper Thames Phosphorus Reduction Program

The 糖心直播 (UTRCA) is excited to offer the Upper Thames Phosphorus Reduction Program to help landowners implement agricultural best management practices (BMPs) that reduce phosphorus runoff, improve water quality in the Thames River and Lake Erie, while also boosting soil health and productivity on farms. We鈥檙e offering grants for a wide range of projects, including:

• Cover Crops
• Reduced Tillage
• Subsurface Phosphorus Placement
• Soil Testing听and Nutrient Planning
• Erosion Control
• Livestock Watercourse Fencing
• Clean Water Diversion
• Tree Planting
• Innovative Projects

If you already implemented these practices this past fall or plan to do so this year, you鈥檙e eligible to apply. For more details or to apply, visit our web page about it here.

Contact: Chris Van Esbroeck,听Agricultural Stewardship Specialist

Seasonal Hunting Opportunities with the UTRCA听

The 糖心直播 (UTRCA) provides seasonal hunting opportunities to members of the public on several UTRCA properties for white-tailed deer, wild turkey, and small game. Interested members of the public can apply to hunt with archery equipment or firearms, depending on the property, species targeted, and open seasons, consistent with provincial hunting regulations.

Staff use an online lottery to randomly select successful applicants for most of the properties. A lottery is not needed for Ellice and Gads Hill Swamps due to their large size and ability to accommodate higher numbers of hunters. Individuals interested in hunting these two properties can simply apply online and receive a permit by mail.

All successful applicants must pay an $85 fee and provide documentation of a valid hunting license, Possession Acquisition License (if applicable), vehicle license plate information, and proof of insurance.

Throughout the hunting season, UTRCA staff regularly checks on these properties to ensure users are in compliance with all applicable regulations and displaying valid permits on vehicles and tree stands. UTRCA Provincial Offences Act Officers are involved in organized patrols during the December controlled hunt week, which is the most popular hunting season. Officers ensure compliance from permitted hunters on UTRCA properties open to hunting, and patrol all UTRCA properties in the watershed to ensure non-permitted hunters are not trespassing. Officers often make contact with local private groups adjacent to UTRCA properties to provide assistance with mapping, property lines, and access for retrieval of game.

Officers use a variety of tools to assist them with enforcement including GPS equipment, trail cameras, and drones. Drones were added to the enforcement program in 2024, providing an efficient and effective method to check properties for non-permitted activity. These exciting technological advancements have allowed for safer hunting opportunities for users as well as staff patrolling the properties.

The UTRCA hunting program has provided recreational opportunities to watershed residents for many years. Seven properties are currently open for archery hunting and seven properties are open for the controlled gun hunt and muzzle load hunt, in addition to Ellice Swamp and Gads Hill Swamp. More information regarding hunting opportunities and properties can be found on the听 UTRCA website here.

Investigating the Gizzard Shad Die-off in the Upper Thames River

A recent die-off of gizzard shad (Dorosoma cepedianum) in the Thames River within the City of London sparked concern among residents and conservationists. First reported in mid-November 2024, the die-off occurred near the Blackfriars Bridge, where a small tributary carrying warmer stormwater empties into the cooler Thames River. This confluence has been a known congregation site for shad in recent years.

The die-off involved over 100 fish exhibiting lethargy, circular swimming, and visible hemorrhaging. University of Guelph graduate student James Clare is investigating the cause, with support from the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA). While the exact reasons remain unclear, researchers are exploring several possibilities and further testing is planned.

Field investigations have suggested that water quality issues, such as elevated sediment or nutrient levels, could act as stressors, though they alone seem unlikely to explain the event. Natural factors, such as seasonal changes and temperature fluctuations, have likely also contributed. Gizzard shad are sensitive to colder temperatures, and significant mortality is known to occur when water temperatures drop below 4掳C. James Clare also noted the possibility that the die-off may not have been a sudden occurrence but, rather, part of a gradual trend, with recent low water levels making dead fish more visible.

These findings underscore the complexity of determining exact causes in aquatic ecosystems. Laboratory tests at the University of Guelph have ruled out viral hemorrhagic septicemia and bacterial kidney infections鈥攃ommon culprits in fish mortality events鈥攂ut the investigation is ongoing.

Gizzard shad play a critical role in the Thames River ecosystem. They provide an essential food source for piscivorous (fish-eating) fish, birds, and mammals, and their feeding behaviours contribute to nutrient cycling. A significant decline in this species could disrupt food webs and exacerbate ecological imbalances. On the other hand, milder winters鈥攕uch as those London has experienced in recent years鈥攎ay reduce natural population controls for this species, allowing their populations to grow unchecked and further affect ecosystem dynamics.

This die-off highlights the importance of considering both natural and human-induced factors when investigating aquatic mortality events. Ongoing monitoring and collaboration are essential to protect the health of the Thames River watershed. With over 90 fish species dependent on this freshwater system, understanding the cumulative effects of environmental and ecological stressors is critical. Continued investigations will provide valuable insights into such incidents and help ensure the long-term sustainability of the river's diverse ecosystem.

New Safety Feature at Fanshawe Conservation Area

Visitors to Fanshawe Conservation Area may have noticed some construction underway on the reservoir near the dam in late 2024. In December, a safety boom was installed in the reservoir to enhance public safety. This essential addition is in accordance with the Canadian Dam Association (CDA) guidelines.

The safety boom creates a visible barrier to prevent reservoir users from getting too close to the dam and the surrounding turbulent water zones. Safety booms are intended to reduce the risk of accidents, protect recreational users like boaters and swimmers, and increase awareness of the potential dangers associated with dam operations. Booms are an integral part of a comprehensive public safety program, as outlined in the CDA鈥檚 guidelines for managing risks around dams.

Visitors are asked to respect safety barriers and accompanying signage that is posted while enjoying the reservoir.

For more information on the Fanshawe Dam and Reservoir please visit our UTRCA webpage.

Assisted Migration for Trees

Assisted migration is an adaptation tool. It involves collecting seed or genetic material from one location and moving it to an area where the climate, either now or predicted for the future, is similar to what the genetics were exposed to in their original location.

As weather and climate patterns change, trees need to adapt to and with these changes. Certain trees and their genetics that are local to the Thames River watershed and have been able to adapt to our climate in the past, may not be able to adapt to these changes now and into the predicted future climate. However, some native species and their southern genetics are expected to take advantage of our future predicted climate.

The 糖心直播 (UTRCA), along with Forest Gene Conservation Association (FGCA), has worked with landowners and stewardship organizations to create, establish, and maintain two Assisted Migration Seed Orchards within the watershed. Red Oak, White Oak, and Burr Oak seed collected from southern sources in Tennesse and Pennsylvania were planted along with seed from local sources, to monitor and compare the growth and performance of these different genetics. Planting these trees together will also allow for cross pollination between local genetics and the southern sources planted, hopefully creating more resilient and adaptable trees.

In November, UTRCA and FGCA staff conducted thinning of the White Oak at the Holst Assisted Migration Seed Orchard located in Oxford County. This site, planted in 2010, has seen exceptional growth throughout all seed sources. Conducting thinning on this site will provide more opportunity for growth, allowing the remaining trees to become better seed producers in the future. As part of the thinning, over 200 tree cookie samples were collected and sent to the Canadian Forest Service in Sault Ste. Marie, to continue their research on climate change.听

Projects like these seed orchards would not be possible without the support of our partners, including the FGCA and private landowners who provide land to plant. UTRCA would like to thank our partners for their support and initiative to continue to establish and maintain these projects and support the future health of our forests.听

For more information on Assisted Migration, 听