Day-Use Access Begins July 18, Reservations Now Open

July 17, 2020

Day-use access to Deer Creek, Backus Heritage and Waterford North Conservation Areas begins on Saturday, July 18. Parking reservations are required for day-use and the reservation system is now live for booking up to seven days in advance.

Deer Creek Conservation Area, Backus Heritage Conservation Area and Waterford North Conservation area will be opening for day-use access on Saturday, July 18. Reservations made through the ‘Parking’ section on longpoint.goingtocamp.com are required.

Day-use access to the three parks will be available from 10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and 8:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Day-use hours on long weekend Sundays will also be 8:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m.

Parking pass reservations are made on a per-vehicle basis, at $14.00 a vehicle. When you select the park and date you plan on visiting, you will be assigned a numbered parking space that you will use on the day of your visit. Once registration is complete, please print the reservation so that it can be displayed on the dashboard of your vehicle when you visit the park. The parking spot is yours for the day, and you can come and go as you please during day-use hours. When pre-registrations reach capacity, reservations for the at-capacity park on that
date will no longer be possible.

Please note that reservations are tied to a specific date and cannot be used on a different day, so be sure you plan to attend on the date you select. Day-use reservations are final sale. No refunds or changes are permitted.

On-site bathrooms will be available for day-use visitors and will be cleaned and sanitized regularly by staff.

While visiting LPRCA property, please be sure to follow the direction of all posted signage and the instructions of park staff. There will be no canoe or kayak rentals at this time, though visitors are welcome to bring their own canoes and kayaks for use. The Backus swimming pool and Conservation Education Centre will remain closed for the season. The Backhouse Historic Site will not be operating; visitors can walk through the historic village, but the buildings will not be open to the public.

Campgrounds Opening for Overnight Camping with Restrictions

July 8, 2020

On Friday, July 10, overnight camping will return to two Long Point Region Conservation Authority campgrounds, for self-contained camping units with functioning washrooms only.

On Friday, July 10, Backus Heritage Conservation Area and Waterford North Conservation Area are opening for overnight camping to self-contained camping units that have functioning washrooms and water facilities. A limited number of campsites will be available for booking at each park and there will be no tent camping.

The Camis reservation system will open at 8:00 a.m. on Friday, July 10 with sites available to be booked for dates between July 10 and October 14. The reservation system is accessed online at longpoint.goingtocamp.com or from the homepage of lprca.on.ca.

To reduce the possible spread of COVID-19 only a select number of sites will be available at each campground to ensure adequate spacing between visitors. Additionally, there will be no on-site washrooms available for campers, which is why both seasonal and overnight campers are required to use camping units with functional bathrooms and water facilities. Certain other amenities, such as park shower facilities, laundry units, pavilions and the Backus swimming pool will also remain closed for the season.

Overnight camping fees can be found on LPRCA’s website, and through the reservation system. Deer Creek Conservation area, Norfolk Conservation Area and Haldimand Conservation Area will not be opening for overnight camping this year.

LPRCA can also confirm that online reservations for day-use access to Deer Creek Conservation Area, Backus Heritage Conservation Area and Waterford North Conservation Area will also soon be available. Pre-registration will be required for day-use. More information, including the day-use access starting date, will be available shortly and will be shared in a media release as well as through LPRCA’s website and social media. Thank you for your patience as we work to adapt to an unconventional operating season, we look forward to seeing you soon.

Flood Outlook Statement Update

July 5, 2020

Campgrounds Closed, Other Properties Opening for Day Use

May 15, 2020

As of 12:01 a.m. on Saturday, May 16, Long Point Region Conservation Authority properties without campgrounds will be open to the public for limited day use activities. Conservation Areas with campgrounds will remain closed to the public.

On Saturday, LPRCA is reestablishing public day-use access to Conservation Areas and forest tracts that do not have campgrounds. We are asking that visitors choose to visit the parks and trails closest to their communities to reduce travel distance.

While all LPRCA campgrounds will remain closed to the public for the time being, work is underway to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all. In the near future, LPRCA will release details on the process for opening campgrounds.

If accessing any of the non-campground LPRCA properties that are now open, please do so responsibly and follow the guidelines of health authorities. Visitors to LPRCA Conservation Areas and forest tracts must maintain at least two metres of space between themselves and others. Gatherings involving more than five people are prohibited. Please ensure you take any litter or pet waste with you rather than leaving it behind on the land. All LPRCA properties must be vacated by 8 p.m.

To maintain the health and safety of staff and the public LPRCA administrative facilities and properties with campgrounds remain closed. The following facilities and conservation areas are NOT open to the public:

Backus Heritage Conservation Area
Deer Creek Conservation Area
Haldimand Conservation Area
Norfolk Conservation Area
Waterford North Conservation Area
LPRCA Administration Office
Waterford Workshop

LPRCA closed public access to all LPRCA-owned properties following an April 3 order from the Haldimand-Norfolk Health Unit to close parks and trails. The reopening of some LPRCA land is in line with health authority recommendations as the Health Unit revoked the order to close trails and parks on May 1 and the Ontario government determined it safe to open to provincial parks for limited recreational use as of May 11.

Please note, LPRCA continues to follow the guidance of the government and health authorities and the status of property access and the camping season is subject to change based on their recommendations. Updates will continue to be posted to LPRCA’s website and social media feeds.

Shoreline Conditions Statement – Lake Erie (High) Static Water Level Outlook

April 27, 2020

Long Point Region Conservation Authority is updating the Shoreline Conditions Statement for all areas along the Lake Erie shoreline. This message is intended to bring attention to the current high static (calm) water levels of Lake Erie and the potential for flooding and erosion as we move into the spring.

The National Hydrological Services Great Lakes Water Levels Information Memorandum from April 3, 2020 reports that:

Lake Erie’s level was 86 cm above average, the highest March mean level on record and 10 cm above the previous record high of 1987.
Lake Erie rose 22 cm in March, on average it rises by 16 cm in March.
At the beginning of April, Lake Erie’s level was the highest on record. It was 90 cm above average, 33 cm higher than last year, and 12 cm above the previous record-high beginning-of-April level set in 1985.

Water supplies over the last three months were generally above average throughout the Great Lakes and Lake Erie’s static water level continues to set records with a daily average level of approximately 175.0 m. Assuming average water supply conditions, Lake Erie static levels are expected to remain well above average and increase into May. Figure 1 below shows the 6-month forecast for Lake Erie.

Due to the high level of Lake Erie, there continues to be a heightened risk of flooding from lake surges and wave uprush, and wave-driven erosion along the shoreline.

Community flood coordinators and the public are advised to monitor weather conditions, particularly strong southwest winds. People are urged to use caution or stay away from the Lake Erie shoreline during times of strong wave action and elevated water levels.

LPRCA staff will continue to monitor Lake Erie conditions and will update this message as necessary.

This Shoreline Conditions Statement is in effect until further notice.

Contact LPRCA at lprca.floodmessage@lprca.on.ca or 519-842-4242 should further information be required.

Flood Watch – Lake Erie Storm Surge

April 20, 2020

The Lake Erie shoreline Flood Watch – Lake Erie Storm Surge is now extended until Monday, April 27th 2020.

Weather forecasts are currently predicting moderate winds between 25-40 km/h this week into Sunday. Lake Erie recently set a new monthly average level for March and continues to be well above average for April. With these exceptionally high levels, even moderate winds can cause low lying areas along the shoreline to be flooded.

Standing water, erosion, property damage and other impacts may continue to affect areas along the shoreline. At this time, LPRCA reminds everyone to stay away from areas affected by recent shoreline flooding due to possible erosion, instability and other damage. Parents are especially reminded to keep children away from these areas.

Community flood coordinators are advised to monitor the forecast and standby for further information.

LPRCA staff will continue to monitor forecast conditions and will update this message as necessary.

This Flood Watch is in effect until 9:00 AM, Monday, April 27th.

Contact Matt Churly at 519-427-4242 should further information be required.

LPRCA Campgrounds: May 1 Opening Date Delayed

April 16, 2020

Long Point Region Conservation Authority is delaying the May 1 opening date for all LPRCA campgrounds.

LPRCA is committed to the health and safety of the public and our staff. We are making the decision to delay the opening date to protect public health and are doing so as recommended by public health authorities. On April 3, 2020, the Ontario Government amended their list of essential workplaces and ordered seasonal trailer parks and recreational campgrounds closed as of 11:59 p.m. on April 4.

To help limit the spread of COVID-19 and to ensure that visitors to LPRCA campgrounds have the best possible experience when it is safe to reopen, LPRCA has made the decision to postpone the opening date. LPRCA will continue to monitor the public health emergency and determine a point when LPRCA properties can reopen. Further updates will be posted to the LRPCA website and social media accounts.

At this time, payment deadlines for seasonal campsites have been deferred. Campers with seasonal sites at LPRCA campgrounds are being contacted by email with further information. Those who have made overnight campsite bookings are also being contacted by email to be notified that their booking will be cancelled and a refund will be issued automatically. The overnight booking cancellations are currently operating on a rolling two-week schedule as we evaluate prospective opening dates. This means that overnight bookings scheduled for
later in the season are not being cancelled at this time and campers will be contacted directly as the situation progresses.

If you have questions or concerns, please contact Brandon Good, Superintendent of Conservation Areas, at 519-586-2201 ext. 221 or bhca@lprca.on.ca.

Flood Watch – Lake Erie Storm Surge

April 14, 2020

The Flood Warning issued on Sunday, April 12th, 2020 for the Lake Erie shoreline is now terminated and a Flood Watch – Lake Erie Storm Surge is now in effect.

Weather forecasts are currently predicting moderate southwesterly and westerly winds between 20-40 km/h for the remainder of the week into Sunday. Lake Erie recently set a new monthly average level for March and continues to be well above average for April. With these exceptionally high levels, even moderate winds can cause low lying areas along the shoreline to be flooded.

Lake Erie flood water levels have decreased somewhat since last night. However, standing water, erosion, property damage and other impacts from yesterday continue to affect areas along the shoreline. At this time, LPRCA reminds everyone to stay away from areas affected by recent shoreline flooding due to possible erosion, instability and other damage. Parents are especially reminded to keep children away from these areas.

Community flood coordinators are advised to monitor the forecast and standby for further information.

LPRCA staff will continue to monitor forecast conditions and will update this message as necessary.

This Flood Watch is in effect until 9:00 AM, Monday, April 20th.

Contact Craig Jacques at 519-429-2738 should further information be required.

Lake Erie Shoreline Flood Warning (Event Message #1)

April 12, 2020

Effective immediately, the Long Point Region Conservation Authority (LPRCA) is issuing a Flood Warning for the entire Lake Erie shoreline within its jurisdiction.

Environment Canada has issued a gale warning, forecasting strong southwesterly winds of 65-75 km/h and gusts up to 100 km/h over Lake Erie on Monday afternoon and evening. With the forecasted winds, flooding is expected to impact low lying areas along the Lake Erie shoreline and lower reaches of some tributaries. Wave uprush and increased shoreline erosion can be expected from this event.

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) is currently forecasting Lake Erie to rise in the western Long Point area by 0.43 meters above the current level to an elevation of 175.51 meters (IGLD 1985), and in the Port Colborne area by 0.98 meters above the current level to an elevation of 176.06 meters (IGLD 1985). Peak levels are currently expected to occur between late Monday afternoon through Monday evening. Wave heights are forecast to reach up to 2 meters along the shoreline.

Haldimand County residents and businesses within LPRCA’s watershed should be aware flooding could reach Lake Erie Flood Zone 3.

Community flood coordinators are asked to monitor road conditions along the lakeshore and warn those residents and businesses in low lying areas along the lakeshore.

People are urged to use caution or stay away from Lake Erie shoreline areas experiencing strong wave action and elevated water levels. Parents are reminded to keep children and pets away from these areas.

This Flood Warning for the Lake Erie shoreline is in effect until 2:00 P.M. on Tuesday, April 14th, 2020.

LPRCA staff will continue to monitor conditions throughout the watershed and will update this message as necessary.

Contact Craig Jacques at 519-429-2738 should further information be required.

Lake Erie Flood Watch (Event Message #1)

April 8, 2020

Effective immediately, Long Point Region Conservation Authority is issuing a Flood Watch for the Lake Erie shoreline.

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) is forecasting sustained strong southwest and west winds ranging from 40 to 50 km/hr, and gusts in excess of 60 km/h Thursday morning continuing into Friday.

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry is currently forecasting Lake Erie to rise in Long Point by 0.15 meters above the current level to an elevation of 175.28 meters (IGLD 1985), and in Port Colborne by 0.39 meters above the current level to an elevation of 175.50 meters (IGLD 1985). Strong winds are expected to cause wave heights to reach up to 1.3 meters in the Long Point area and up to 0.9 meters towards the eastern limits of the watershed. Forecast models are currently forecasting water levels to remain elevated from Thursday morning until Friday morning.

With the forecasted winds, flooding is expected to impact very low-lying areas of the Lake Erie shoreline and lower reaches of some tributaries.

Haldimand County residents and businesses within LPRCA’s watershed should be aware flooding could reach Lake Erie Flood Zone 1.

Community flood coordinators are advised to prepare and monitor forecasts and stand by for further information.

LPRCA staff will continue to monitor forecasted conditions and will update this message as necessary.

This Flood Watch is in effect until noon, Friday April 10th.

Contact Craig Jacques, Water Resource Specialist at 519-429-2738 should further information be required.