All LPRCA Properties Closed for Public Access

April 6, 2020

Effective immediately, all Long Point Region Conservation Authority (LPRCA) properties will be closed until further notice.

LPRCA is closely monitoring the COVID-19 situation in Ontario and taking steps to help prevent the spread of infection. The health and safety of our staff, volunteers and community is a top priority. LPRCA will continue to monitor the situation and follow governmental direction.

All LPRCA property located in the Municipality of Bayham, Town of Tillsonburg, Norfolk County, Haldimand County, County of Brant, Township of Malahide, Township of Norwich and Township of South West Oxford is closed.

On March 17, LPRCA closed facilities and CAs with campgrounds to the public, and closed additional properties on April 4 following recommendations for enhanced physical distancing measures. As the situation progresses, LPRCA will continue to issue updates to www.lprca.on.ca and LPRCA social media accounts.

Conservation Area Closures

April 4, 2020

Effective immediately, additional Long Point Region Conservation Authority (LPRCA) Conservation Areas (CAs) will be closed until further notice.

LPRCA continues to follow the recommendations of the Provincial Government and health experts. On April 3, the Haldimand-Norfolk Health Unit ordered enhanced social distancing measures, closing all recreational facilities including trails and trail systems. With continued emphasis on the crucial importance of physical distancing by public health authorities, LPRCA is adding the following Conservation Areas to the list of closed facilities:

Black Creek CA
Big Creek CA
Brook CA
Croton CA
Fisher CA
Hay Creek CA
Lehman Dam CA
Little Lake CA
Norwich CA
Rowan Mills CA
Sutton CA
Teeterville CA
Tillsonburg CA
Vern Ryerse Memorial CA
Vittoria CA
Waterford Trout Pond
All Canoe Launch Sites

On March 17, LPRCA closed facilities and CAs with campgrounds to the public:

Backus Heritage Conservation Area
Deer Creek Conservation Area
Haldimand Conservation Area
Norfolk Conservation Area
Waterford North Conservation Area

LPRCA asks that the closure of these CAs be respected and that no one accesses the land for the purposes of hiking, fishing or any other activity. Updates and changes to LPRCA services and facilities will be posted to www.lprca.on.ca and our social media accounts.

Conservation Areas Update – LPRCA monitoring COVID-19 situation, will assess Conservation Area opening date

March 27, 2020

Long Point Region Conservation Authority (LPRCA) is following the evolving situation with COVID-19 closely. We take the health and safety of our customers and staff seriously. As the situation with COVID19 continues to unfold we will be evaluating the necessity to delay the opening of our Conservation Areas. Updates will be posted to the LPRCA website and social media feeds. Any delay will also be communicated to our seasonal campers through email and phone. If you are a seasonal camper with LPRCA please ensure we have up-to-date contact information. You can reach us at conservation@lprca.on.ca or by phone at 519-586-2201 ext. 221.

Haldimand County Campgrounds

On March 25, Haldimand County issued an order permitting seasonal trailer parks to open earlier than usual to accommodate residents returning to Haldimand after wintering abroad. These temporary measures are to provide self-isolation accommodations to those who use seasonal trailer parks as their primary Canadian residences. As LPRCA seasonal sites are not primary residences, LPRCA will not be opening the Haldimand Conservation Area campsite early.

At this time, LPRCA facilities including Backus Heritage Conservation Area, Deer Creek Conservation Area, Haldimand Conservation Area, Norfolk Conservation Area and Waterford North Conservation Area remain closed. We thank you for your patience during these difficult times.

Long Point Region Conservation Authority – Updated Response to COVID-19

March 24, 2020

LPRCA facilities closed, flood forecasting continues and certain services available remotely

Long Point Region Conservation Authority (LPRCA) closed facilities at 4:30 p.m. on Monday, March 23, in accordance with direction from the provincial government. Flood forecasting and warning services will not be disrupted, and other Authority services, such as planning and permit review, will continue remotely while staff work from home.

LPRCA will continue to follow the guidance of the government and health professionals to help ensure the safety of all.

Closed Facilities

The closed LPRCA facilities are:

LPRCA Administration Office, Tillsonburg
LPRCA Workshop, Waterford
Backus Heritage Conservation Area, Port Rowan
Deer Creek Conservation Area, Langton
Haldimand Conservation Area, Nanticoke
Norfolk Conservation Area, Simcoe
Waterford North Conservation Area, Waterford

For everyone’s safety, please respect the closures and do not visit LPRCA facilities at this time.

Continuing Services

LPRCA will continue flood forecasting and warning services with staff working remotely.

Similarly, planning services will continue operation remotely, with planning applications being accepted digitally. Applications and inquiries can be submitted to planning@lprca.on.ca.

General inquiries can be sent by email to conservation@lprca.on.ca. The latest information will be shared through www.lprca.on.ca and LPRCA’s Facebook and Twitter feeds.

Further service disruptions and changes will be communicated through the LPRCA website and social media accounts.

Long Point Region Conservation Authority – Response to COVID-19

March 17, 2020

LPRCA Administration Office closed to public, services remain accessible by phone, email & web.

Long Point Region Conservation Authority will be closing the Administration Office, the Conservation Education Centre at Backus Heritage Conservation Area and the Waterford Workshop to the public as of 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 17, 2020. Authority services will remain accessible through phone, email and the LPRCA website.

The health and safety of Long Point Region Conservation Authority (LPRCA) staff, clients and communities is at the forefront of all work done by LPRCA. As the COVID-19 situation has been progressing, LPRCA has been carefully monitoring information shared by public health authorities and adopting recommendations to best protect the health and safety of all.

In addition, LPRCA’s five Conservation Areas with campgrounds – Backus Heritage CA, Deer Creek CA, Haldimand CA, Norfolk CA and Waterford North CA – are closed to the public as LPRCA maintenance staff are working on the premises. All other LPRCA conservation areas, those without campgrounds, remain open for the public to access for passive day use such as hiking.

Anyone looking to speak with LPRCA staff can contact the front desk by phone at 519-842-4242 or through email at conservation@lprca.on.ca, or can contact staff or departments directly using contact information from the Staff Directory.

Planning applications will continue to be accepted digitally. Applications can be submitted to planning@lprca.on.ca.

LPRCA will continue to monitor the latest information from health authorities and will adjust services as required. Further service disruptions and changes will be communicated through the LPRCA website and social media accounts.

Lake Erie Flood Watch (Event Message #1)

March 12, 2020

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

Environmental Canada is forecasting sustained strong southwesterly winds with gusts up to 75 km/h Friday morning and continuing into the afternoon. Winds are expected to ease early evening on Friday.

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) is currently forecasting Lake Erie to rise in Long Point by 0.3 meters above the current level to an elevation of 175.2 meters (IGLD 1985), and in Port Colborne by 0.68 meters above the current level to an elevation of 175.54 meters (IGLD 1985). Strong winds are expected to cause wave heights to reach up to 1.73 meters in the Long Point area and up to 1.65 meters towards the eastern limits of the watershed. Forecast models are currently forecasting water levels to remain elevated from Friday morning until Friday evening.

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 9:00 AM, Saturday, March 14th.

Contact Craig Jacques, Water Resource Specialist at 519-842-4242 ext. 265, or after hours at 519-429-2738 should further information be required.

Watershed Conditions Statement – Flood Outlook – Lake Erie

March 6, 2020

The Long Point Region Conservation Authority is updating the Flood Outlook for all areas along the Lake Erie shoreline. This message is intended to raise attention to the current high static water levels of Lake Erie and the potential for flooding as we move through the winter months.

The National Hydrological Services Great Lakes Water Levels Information Memorandum from March 5, 2020 reports that:

Lake Erie’s level was 90 cm above average, the highest February mean level on record and 12 cm above the previous record high of 1987.
Lake Erie remained stable last month, on average it rises by 3 cm in February.
At the beginning of March, Lake Erie’s level was 86 cm above average, 25 cm higher than last year, the highest on record and 9 cm above the previous record-high beginning-of-March level set in 1986.

The current Lake Erie static water level (calm) is approximately 174.92 m. Water supplies over the last three months were generally above average throughout the Great Lakes, with the exception of Lake Erie which have been near average. Assuming average water supply conditions, Lake Erie water levels are expected to increase into May.

Due to the combination of above average static water levels, lack of ice cover and strong southwest winds typical of the winter/early spring months, 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 Flood Outlook is in effect until further notice.

Contact LPRCA at 519-842-4242 should further information be required.

Lake Erie Flood Watch (Event Message #1)

February 26, 2020

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

Weather forecasts are calling for sustained 45-55 km/h west winds gusting up to 80 km/h starting Thursday morning and continuing into the early hours of Friday morning.

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) is currently forecasting Lake Erie to rise in Long Point by 0.3 meters above the current level to an elevation of 175.2 meters (IGLD 1985), and in the Port Colborne area 0.65 meters above the current level to an elevation of 175.55 meters (IGLD 1985). Strong winds are expected to cause wave heights to reach up to 1.7 meters in the Long Point area and up to 1.5 meters towards the eastern limits of the watershed.

The lake surge models are currently showing water levels to remain elevated from Thursday morning until Thursday late evening.

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

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 9:00 AM, Friday, February 28th.

Contact Matt Churly at 519-842-4242 ext. 226 should further information be required.

Watershed Conditions Statement – Water Safety

February 21, 2020

LPRCA is issuing a Watershed Conditions Statement – Water Safety bulletin for the Lake Erie shoreline in its jurisdiction.

Weather forecasts are calling for 40-50 km/hr sustained southwest winds beginning this afternoon and continuing into Saturday. LPRCA is not expecting major flooding with the current lake surge models at this time, however significant wave action and minor lake surge along the shoreline is expected.

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. Additionally, there is a chance for some freezing spray off the lake as temperatures are expected to remain below zero.

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

Lake Erie is expected to remain elevated until around noon hour Saturday. This message is in effect until 4:00 PM Saturday, February 22nd, 2020.

Contact Matt Churly at 519-427-4423 should further information be required.

Lake Erie Shoreline Flood Warning Termination (Event Message #3)

January 19, 2020

The Flood Warning issued on Saturday, January 18, 2019 for the Lake Erie shoreline is being returned to the standing Watershed Conditions Statement – Lake Erie Flood Outlook.

Lake Erie water levels have receded since last night. Standing water, erosion, property damage and other impacts from yesterday continue to affect areas along the shoreline. Lake Erie static water levels are expected to remain very high over the coming months. High static water levels increase the risk of flooding when moderate to severe wind-driven surge events occur. Strong lakeshore surge events typically occur from fall through spring.

At this time, LPRCA reminds everyone to stay away from areas affected by recent shoreline flooding due to erosion, instability and other damage. Parents are especially reminded to keep children away from these areas.

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

Contact Paul Gagnon at 519-429-4899 should further information be required.