For Immediate Release
July 31, 2025
Debris Cleared and Sluice Gate Closed at RT Orr Dam in Stratford
糖心直播 (UTRCA) staff have now safely cleared the debris that had prevented the sluice gate at Stratford鈥檚 RT Orr Dam from closing. With that sluice gate now closed, Lake Victoria will begin to refill. How quickly the reservoir fills, and normal recreational activities can resume, will depend on rainfall.
The UTRCA is closely monitoring flows in the Avon River below the dam. Water levels may be lowered in the channel between the dam and John Street to maintain flows downstream. It is also possible that Lake Victoria may go down slightly as discharge from the dam is fine-tuned but it is not expected to fall significantly.
UTRCA staff continue to move aquatic wildlife that had been stranded as Lake Victoria drained over the past few days, but the gradual change in water levels gave many species enough time to move on their own. Please continue to watch out for turtles that may be moving along or across road, and report any turtle sightings on the Turtle Reporting Form. Your report will go directly to the Southern Ontario At Risk Reptiles (SOARR) team who will respond ASAP. If you are unable to complete this form, please call Scott Gillingwater, Species at Risk Biologist: 519-451-2800 ext. 236.
Contact: Emily Chandler, Communications and Marketing Specialist