Category: News Releases
Long Point Region Conservation Authority – Updated Response to COVID-19
March 24, 2020LPRCA 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, 2020LPRCA 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, 2020Effective 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.
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.
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, 2020The 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, 2020Effective 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.
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.
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, 2020LPRCA 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, 2020The 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.
Lake Erie Shoreline Flood Warning (Event Message #2)
January 18, 2020Effective 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 wind warning, forecasting strong southwesterly winds increasing to 74 km/h this evening and overnight.
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) is currently forecasting Lake Erie to rise in Long Point by 0.67 meters above the current level to an elevation of 175.57 meters (IGLD 1985) and in the Port Colborne area 1.15 meters above the current level to an elevation of 175.84 meters (IGLD 1985). Strong winds are expected to cause wave heights to reach up to 2.3 meters in the Long Point area and up to 1.8 meters towards the eastern limits of the watershed.
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.
Haldimand County residents and businesses within LPRCA’s watershed should be aware flooding could reach Lake Erie Flood Zone 1.
Community flood coordinators are asked to monitor road conditions along the lakeshore and warn those residents and businesses in the very 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.
LPRCA staff will continue to monitor conditions throughout the watershed and will update this message as necessary.
This Flood Warning for the Lake Erie shoreline is in effect until noon, Sunday, January 19th, 2020.
Contact Paul Gagnon at 519-429-4899 should further information be required.
Lake Erie Flood Watch (Event Message #1)
January 17, 2020Effective immediately, the Long Point Region Conservation Authority is issuing a Flood Watch for the Lake Erie shoreline.
Environment Canada has issued a wind warning for tomorrow, forecasting strong southwesterly winds Saturday afternoon and increasing to 74 km/h Saturday evening.
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) is currently forecasting Lake Erie to rise in Long Point by 0.66 meters above the current level to an elevation of 175.34 meters (IGLD 1985), and in the Port Colborne area 1.14 meters above the current level to an elevation of 175.80 meters (IGLD 1985). Strong winds are expected to cause wave heights to reach up to 2.3 meters in the Long Point area and up to 1.8 meters towards the eastern limits of the watershed.
With the forecasted winds, flooding is expected to impact low-lying areas of the Lake Erie shoreline and lower reaches of some tributaries. Wave uprush and increased shoreline erosion can be expected from this event.
Community flood coordinators are advised to prepare and monitor forecasts and stand by for further information.
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.
LPRCA staff will continue to monitor forecasted conditions and will update this message as necessary.
This Flood Watch is in effect until noon, Sunday, January 19th, 2020 or until further updated.
Contact Paul Gagnon at 519-429-4899 should further information be required.
Flood Warning Terminated; Water Safety advised (Event message #5)
January 14, 2020The flood warning message for Vienna is now Terminated.
Water levels in Big Otter Creek through Vienna have now declined sufficiently that a flood warning message is no longer necessary.
Most watercourses across the LPRCA have peaked and are now declining. However stream levels remain high and are still running out of their banks in some areas affecting low-lying areas.
Due to these conditions, LPRCA is issuing a Watershed Conditions Statement – Water Safety for all watercourses within its jurisdiction. 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.
LPRCA staff will continue to monitor watershed conditions and will update this message as necessary.
This water safety message is in effect until noon, Monday, January 20, 2020.
Contact Ben Hodi, 519-842-4242 ext. 264 should further information be required.