Category: News Releases
BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES TO ADDRESS PHOSPHORUS LOADING IN THE LONG POINT REGION WATERSHED
January 28, 2025Media Release
TILLSONBURG, ON — Long Point Region Conservation Authority (LPRCA) has received a commitment of $512,000 in federal funding over the next four years to help address phosphorus loading in the Big Otter Creek sub-watershed.
The funding is part of the Government of Canada’s $76 million investment in the Great Lakes Freshwater Ecosystem Initiative. Over the next four years, the Canada Water Agency will distribute funding to LPRCA to implement best management practices, such as cover crops and erosion control structures, in high-risk phosphorus loss areas.
The initiative’s goal is to reduce phosphorus loads entering Lake Erie by keeping fertilizers and soil on the landscape and in farmer’s fields. Doing so will help prevent harmful algal blooms and areas of low oxygen. The Big Otter Creek sub-watershed was historically identified as a high-risk phosphorus loss area, meaning the lost phosphorus ends up in Lake Erie.
The initiative offers funding for best management practices such as cover crops and erosion control. For more information and to see how you can get involved, please visit the LPRCA’s website.
Associated Links
Contacts
For more information, please contact:
Paul Gagnon
Lands & Water Supervisor
519-842-4242 ext. 232
watercare@lprca.on.ca


Watershed Conditions Statement – Water Safety (Event message #1)
December 29, 2024The Long Point Region Conservation Authority is issuing a Watershed Conditions Statement – Water Safety Statement for its entire watershed.
A Texas low-pressure system that moved into the Long Point Region watershed overnight has resulted in 13 to 21 mm of rainfall across our watershed. A total of 30 to 35 mm is forecasted by the time the system moves through on Monday. Under the forecasted conditions, riverine water levels and flows will increase. At this point in time no major flooding is expected to occur; however, localized flooding may occur in low lying areas, and regions with poor drainage.
People are warned to stay away from ditches, water bodies, streams, rivers and ponds as the
combination of slippery banks and cold fast-flowing water is dangerous. Landowners are also advised to make sure dams, culverts, and catch basins are free from debris and functioning properly, if the work can be done safely.
This Watershed Conditions Statement – Water Safety Statement will remain in effect until
noon, Tuesday, December 31, 2024. LPRCA staff will continue to monitor forecasted conditions and will update this message as necessary.
Contact Paul Gagnon, Lands & Waters Supervisor at lprca.floodmessage@lprca.on.ca or 519-429-4899 should further information be required.
Note:
Watershed Conditions Statement – Water Safety Statement: a message issued by the Conservation Authority to advise municipal flood coordinators and watershed residents that unsafe lake, river and channel conditions may develop or exist.

Shoreline Conditions Statement – Flood Outlook (Event Message #1)
December 4, 2024The Long Point Region Conservation Authority (LPRCA) is issuing a Shoreline Conditions Statement – Flood Outlook for the entire Lake Erie shoreline within its jurisdiction. This includes the Municipality of Bayham, Norfolk County, and western Haldimand County.
A significant weather system is forecasted to bring high winds to Lake Erie over the next 24 hours. Sustained winds of 60 km/h from the west/southwest are forecasted, with gusts reaching up to 90km/h starting this afternoon and into Thursday. These high winds may result in increased water levels due to storm surge and wave action.
Western Haldimand County may experience minor shoreline flooding, wave uprush, and increased erosion along the shoreline. Water levels at Port Colborne are forecasted to peak at 1.91 m (175.41 m IGLD) between 5:00 am and 7:00 am Thursday morning.
Bayham and Norfolk County have a lower risk of minor flooding, as water levels at Long Point are expected to peak at 1.34 m (174.84 IGLD) between 5:00 am and 7:00 am Thursday morning. Residents are urged to exercise caution and avoid areas along the Lake Erie shoreline experiencing strong wave action and elevated water levels. Parents are reminded to keep children and pets away from these areas. Community flood coordinators are asked to monitor road conditions along the lakeshore closely.
LPRCA staff will continue to monitor Lake Erie conditions and will provide updates to this message as necessary.
This Shoreline Conditions Statement is in effect until 4:00 pm Thursday, December 5, 2024.
Contact LPRCA at lprca.floodmessage@lprca.on.ca or 519-842-4242 should further information be required.
Shoreline Conditions Statement – Lake Erie Flood Outlook: Early notice of the potential for flooding based on lake levels, weather forecasts, or other conditions that could cause a rise in Lake Erie water levels, lakeshore flooding, or erosion.

Public Consultation Open for Draft Watershed-based Resource Management Strategy and Draft Conservation Land Strategy
September 12, 2024For Immediate Release
September 12, 2024
Tillsonburg, ON: The Long Point Region Conservation Authority (LPRCA) will be hosting a Public Information Session on Tuesday, October 1, 2024 from 6:30 PM to 8 PM. The public is invited to come and provide input and ask questions about both draft strategy plans.
In December 2020, changes in the Conservation Authorities Act resulted in the introduction of Mandatory Programs and Services which are to be delivered by all Conservation Authorities. Ontario Regulation 686/21 requires all Conservation Authorities to prepare a Conservation Area Strategy and a Watershed-based Resource Management Strategy by December 31, 2024.
To read the draft strategy plans, visit the governance tab on our website here, www.lprca.on.ca.
LPRCA has created an online survey for each draft strategy that members of the public can fill out to provide feedback.
Comments on the draft strategies must be submitted to the LPRCA through the online surveys by Monday, October 7th, 2024.
The draft Watershed-based Resource Management Strategy and survey can be found here.
The draft Conservation Land Strategy and survey can be found here.
For more information, contact Jessica King at jking@lprca.on.ca or 519-842-4242 ext. 227.
Public Information Session Details
DATE: Tuesday, October 1, 2024
TIME: 6:30 PM – 8 PM
LOCATION: LPRCA Administration Building, 4 Elm Street, Tillsonburg, ON N4G 0C4
Fishing Fun at the Deer Creek Children’s Fishing Derby
July 23, 2024For Immediate Release

July 23, 2024
Langton, ON: Police officers from Norfolk OPP will help kids cast a line and have a whole lot of fun during the Kids, Cops and Canadian Tire Fishing Day on August 10, 2024 from 8 AM to 12 PM.
The event is hosted by Long Point Region Conservation Authority at Deer Creek Conservation Area and sponsored by organizations including the Police Association of Ontario and the Norfolk County OPP Detachment. A huge thank you goes to the many local businesses who support the Deer Creek Children’s Fishing Derby; the derby would not be possible without their contributions.
Open to youth ages 16 and under, the derby is a great way for kids and their families to form fond memories and acquire a love of fishing. Cast from shore or launch a non-motorized or electric boat and fish the farther sections of the reservoir. The cost to participate is $5 per child, plus admission to the Conservation Area. Registration is open on-site at 8 AM on the day of the event.
This event is supported by the Canadian National Sportfishing Foundation, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to promoting and protecting recreational fishing for all Canadians, and by the generous financial contribution of Canadian Tire.
For more information, contact Jessica King at jking@lprca.on.ca or 519-842-4242 ext. 227.
To learn more about Kids, Cops and Canadian Tire, please visit www.kidsandcops.ca, www.facebook.com/KidsCopsCanadianTire or contact Donna at events@kidsandcops.ca or 877 822 8881.
Event Details
DATE: Saturday, August 10, 2024
TIME: 8 AM to 12 PM – check-in opens at 8 AM
LOCATION: Deer Creek Conservation Area, 1929 Norfolk County Road 45, RR #2, Langton ON N0E 1G0
COST: $5/child (plus Conservation Area admission)
Watershed Conditions Statement – Water Safety Statement(Event message 1)
April 11, 2024The Long Point Region Conservation Authority is issuing a Watershed Conditions Statement – Water Safety Statement for its entire watershed.

The low-pressure system that moved into the Long Point Region watershed overnight has resulted in 10 to 20 mm of rainfall across our watershed. Another 25 to 30 mm is forecasted from Thursday evening to Saturday morning. Under the forecasted conditions, riverine water levels and flows will increase. At this point in time no major flooding is expected to occur; however, localized flooding may occur in low lying areas, and regions with poor drainage.
People are warned to stay away from ditches, water bodies, streams, rivers and ponds as the combination of slippery banks and cold, fast-flowing water is dangerous. Landowners are also advised to make sure dams, culverts, and catch basins are free from debris and functioning properly, if the work can be done safely.
This Watershed Conditions Statement – Water Safety Statement will remain in effect until noon, Sunday, April 14, 2024. LPRCA staff will continue to monitor forecasted conditions and will update this message as necessary.
Contact David Proracki, Water Resources Analyst at lprca.floodmessage@lprca.on.ca or 519-842-4242 ext. 264 should further information be required.
Note:
Watershed Conditions Statement – Water Safety Statement: a message issued by the Conservation Authority to advise municipal flood coordinators and watershed residents that unsafe lake, river and channel conditions may develop or exist.
Watershed Conditions Statement – Water Safety
March 8, 2024A low-pressure system is forecast to move into Southwestern Ontario this afternoon, with predicted rainfall amounts between 10 and 15 mm tonight and an additional 25 mm Saturday afternoon and evening. The cumulative 3-day precipitation could total 40 mm.

As a result of the forecast, the Long Point Region Conservation Authority is issuing a Watershed Conditions Statement – Water Safety. Under the forecasted conditions, riverine water levels and flows will increase. No major flooding is expected to occur; however, some watercourses may reach or exceed their banks creating localized flooding in floodplains, low-lying areas, and regions with poor drainage.
People are warned to stay away from ditches, water bodies, streams, rivers, and ponds as the combination of slippery banks and cold, fast-flowing water is dangerous. Parents and guardians are reminded to keep children and pets away from all watercourses. Landowners are also advised to make sure dams, culverts, and catch basins are free from debris and ice and functioning properly, if the work can be done safely.
Water levels are expected to remain high into next week. Therefore, this Watershed Conditions Statement – Water Safety is in effect until noon, Tuesday, March 12, 2024. LPRCA staff will continue to monitor forecasted conditions and will update this message as necessary.
Contact Paul Gagnon, Lands & Waters Supervisor at lprca.floodmessage@lprca.on.ca or 519-842-4242 ext. 232 should further information be required.
Note:
Watershed Conditions Statement – Water Safety: a message issued by the Conservation Authority to advise municipal flood coordinators and watershed residents that unsafe lake, river and channel conditions may develop or exist.
Flood Warning Terminated, Watershed Conditions Statement – Water Safety in effect (Event Message #5)
January 29, 2024The Long Point Region Conservation Authority (LPRCA) is terminating the Flood Warning message previously in effect and is issuing a Watershed Conditions Statement – Water Safety for all areas within its watershed.
Over the last week, the LPRCA watershed received between 60 and 73 mm of rain. This precipitation combined with positive degree temperatures caused the existing snowpack (30 mm snow-water equivalency) to melt and runoff. This resulted in local watercourses, specifically the Big Otter Creek near Vienna, to spill out of their banks and flood low lying areas. Stream flows are now receding from this event but will remain elevated into the week.
People are reminded to stay away from ditches, streams, rivers, and ponds as the combination of slippery banks and cold, fast-flowing water is dangerous. Parents are reminded to keep children and pets away from these areas.
Landowners are also advised to make sure dams, culverts, and catch basins are free from debris and properly functioning, if it is safe to do so.
LPRCA staff will continue to monitor watershed conditions and will update this message as necessary.
This Watershed Conditions Statement will remain in effect until noon, Thursday, February 1, 2024.
Contact David Proracki, Water Resource Analyst at (519) 842-4242 ext. 264 should further information be required.
NOTE:
Watershed Conditions Statement – Water Safety Statement: a message issued by the Conservation Authority to advise municipal flood coordinators and watershed residents that high flows, unsafe banks, melting ice, or other factors may develop or exist that could be dangerous for recreationalists, children, and pets. Flooding is not expected.
Riverine Flood Warning Update (Event message #4)
January 27, 2024The Long Point Region Conservation Authority is maintaining the Riverine Flood Warning for lower Big Otter Creek from Tillsonburg to Port Burwell.
The precipitation that fell in the Long Point Region watershed combined with the melting snowpack has caused area watercourses to rise significantly.
While the flows in Big Otter Creek at Tillsonburg appear to have crested early this morning, stream flows remain high at Tillsonburg and are still rising in Calton. River levels are expected to continue to rise through Calton and Vienna until later tonight. Flooding may occur in areas along the lower Big Otter Creek in Bayham Township, specifically in the town of Vienna. Due to the current water levels, flood coordinators should keep a close watch on river conditions and warn property owners in the most flood-prone areas of Vienna of the potential for flooding. At the present time we do not expect flood levels to reach a stage 1 in Vienna (149 cms).
People are warned to stay away from ditches, streams, rivers and ponds as the combination of slippery banks and cold, fast-flowing water is dangerous. Parents are reminded to keep children and pets away from these areas.
Landowners are also advised to make sure dams, culverts and catch basins are free from debris and properly functioning, if safe to do so.
Water levels are expected to remain high for the next few days. LPRCA staff will continue to monitor watershed conditions and will update this message as necessary.
Therefore, this Flood Warning is in effect until 12:00 pm, Monday, January 29, 2024.
Contact Paul Gagnon, 519-842-4242 ext. 232 should further information be required.
NOTE: Flood Warning – Flooding is imminent or already occurring in specific watercourses or municipalities.
Riverine Flood Warning (Event message #3)
January 26, 2024The Long Point Region Conservation Authority is upgrading the Flood Watch to add a Riverine Flood Warning for lower Big Otter Creek from Tillsonburg to Port Burwell.
A significant amount of precipitation has fallen in the Long Point Region watershed over the last 24 hours. The Long Point Region received between 25 and 30 mm of precipitation across the watershed. This precipitation combined with the melting snowpack has created significant runoff. Water levels in local watercourses are rising rapidly and will continue to rise over the next 24 hours.
ACTION: While the flows in Big Otter Creek at Tillsonburg have not yet crested, the current flows at Tillsonburg indicate that flooding may occur in areas along the lower Big Otter Creek in Bayham Township, specifically in the town of Vienna, due flood coordinators should keep a close watch on river conditions and warn property owners in the most flood-prone areas of Vienna of the potential for flooding.
People are warned to stay away from ditches, streams, rivers and ponds as the combination of slippery banks and cold, fast-flowing water is dangerous. Parents are reminded to keep children and pets away from these areas.
Landowners are also advised to make sure dams, culverts and catch basins are free from debris and properly functioning, if safe to do so.
Water levels are expected to remain high for the next few days. LPRCA staff will continue to monitor watershed conditions and will update this message as necessary.
Therefore, this Flood Warning is in effect until 12:00 pm, Monday, January 29, 2024.
Contact Paul Gagnon, 519-842-4242 ext. 232 should further information be required.
NOTE:
Flood Warning – Flooding is imminent or already occurring in specific watercourses or municipalities.