Category: News Releases
Lake Erie Shoreline Flood Warning (Event Message #2)
December 6, 2021Effective immediately, the Long Point Region Conservation Authority (LPRCA) is upgrading the Shoreline Conditions Statement to a Flood Warning for the entire Lake Erie shoreline within its jurisdiction. This includes Bayham, Norfolk County and Western Haldimand County.
The Ministry of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry (NDMNRF) has upgraded its forecast for Lake Erie. Water levels are now forecasted to rise in Long Point by 0.76 meters above the current level to an elevation of 175.26 meters (IGLD 1985), and 1.36 meters to 175.82 meters (IGLD 1985) along the Haldimand County shoreline within LPRCA’s watershed. Peak levels are currently expected to occur Monday evening. Wave heights are expected to reach 2 meters along the shoreline.
With the forecasted 50 km/h southwest/west winds and gusts exceeding 80 km/h, flooding is expected to impact low lying areas along the Lake Erie shoreline and lower reaches of some tributaries. Norfolk County residents and businesses should be aware flooding could reach Lake Erie Flood Zones 0, with minor flooding of roads in Long Point, Turkey Point, and Port Dover. 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 Zones 2. The public is advised to familiarize themselves with flood warning zones mapping in Haldimand County on their website.
The public is asked to stay away from the Lake Erie shoreline due to strong wave action and elevated water levels and follow the direction of local flood coordinators and emergency officials. Parents are reminded to keep children and pets away from these areas.
LPRCA staff will continue to monitor Lake Erie conditions and will update this message as necessary.
This Flood Warning for the Lake Erie shoreline is in effect until 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, December 7, 2021.
Contact LPRCA at lprca.floodmessage@lprca.on.ca or 519-842-4242 should further information be required.
Shoreline Conditions Statement – Flood Outlook Lake Erie (Event Message #1)
December 5, 2021Effective immediately, the 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 Bayham, Norfolk County and Western Haldimand County.
A low pressure system is forecast to move into the Province Sunday evening bringing strong winds and widespread precipitation. Strong southwest/west winds 50 km/h with gusts potentially exceeding 80 km/h are forecast overnight, Monday and possibly Tuesday. With the forecasted winds, minor flooding is expected to impact very low lying areas along the Lake Erie shoreline. Wave uprush and increased shoreline erosion can be expected from this event. Southwestern Ontario is expected to receive 15 to 30 mm of rain between Sunday evening and Monday from this event.
The Ministry of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry (NDMNRF) is currently forecasting Lake Erie to rise in Long Point by 0.64 meters above the current level to an elevation of 175.16 meters (IGLD 1985), and 1.23 meters to 175.66 meters (IGLD 1985) along the Haldimand County shoreline within LPRCA’s watershed. Peak levels are currently expected to occur Monday evening. Wave heights are expected to reach 2 meters along the shoreline.
Community flood coordinators are asked to monitor road conditions 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 Lake Erie conditions and will update this message as necessary.
This Shoreline Conditions Statement is in effect until 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, December 7, 2021.
Contact LPRCA at lprca.floodmessage@lprca.on.ca or 519-842-4242 should further information be required.
Watershed Conditions Statement – Water Safety Statement (Event Message #1)
October 14, 2021Long Point Region Conservation Authority (LPRCA) is issuing a Watershed Conditions Statement – Water Safety for all areas within its watersheds.
Remnants of Hurricane/Tropical Storm Pamela are expected to travel over southwestern and central Ontario over the next 3 days, bringing widespread rainfall with the potential for embedded thunderstorms.
Rainfall is expected to begin Thursday through the day, starting in the southwest and progressing northwesterly with expected precipitation accumulations of 10 – 20 mm.
The storm will then track northeastward reaching the Great Lakes region on Friday with expected precipitation amounts of 20-30mm with locally heavier amounts of 30-50 mm or more possible.
Due to recent rainfall in the LPRCA watershed, river systems will be moderately responsive to additional rainfall. Rainfall and thunderstorms in the forecast could result in localized high-water conditions through the river system.
Sustained winds from the west-south-west will accompany this system and may induce storm surge and wave conditions on Lake Erie late Friday into Saturday.
As always, the public is reminded to exercise caution around all local waterways, especially as flows and levels are elevated. Banks adjacent to rivers and creeks are very slippery and, when combined with fast-moving water, pose a serious hazard. Parents are reminded to keep their children and pets away from all watercourses.
Landowners are also advised to make sure dams, culverts, and catch basins are free from debris and functioning properly, if safe to do so.
LPRCA staff will continue to monitor watershed conditions and will update this message as necessary.
This water safety statement is in effect until 12:00 p.m. on Monday, October 18.
Flood Watch Terminated; Water Safety Advised (Event Message #2)
September 24, 2021The Riverine Flood Watch for all areas within the Long Point Region Watershed is now Terminated.
Riverine water levels have now declined sufficiently that a flood watch message is no longer necessary. Most watercourses across the LPRCA have peaked and are now declining, however stream levels remain high.
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, September 27, 2021.
Annual Leighton & Betty Brown Conservation Scholarships Awarded
Three students each received a $1,000 scholarship in 2021
Three recent high school graduates in the Long Point Region watershed were selected as recipients of $1,000 Leighton & Betty Brown Conservation Scholarships to support their continuing education in environmental and sustainability-related fields. In a Zoom call on Wednesday, September 15, the Lee Brown Marsh Management Committee congratulated Brendan Sullivan, Emma VandenBroek and Carley Wilson on earning the award.
Brendan, a Holy Trinity Catholic High School Graduate is undertaking post-secondary education at the University of Guelph. Emma and Carley, graduates of East Elgin Secondary School, are pursuing their undergraduate degrees at the University of Guelph and Trent University respectively.
In 2020, no scholarship was presented due to the pandemic. The Lee Brown Marsh Management Committee anticipated awarding two scholarships in 2021 but opted instead to award three due to the quality of the applicants.
“The caliber of those who applied for the scholarship this year was outstanding,” said Tom Haskett, Chair of the Lee Brown Marsh Management Committee. “Our three winners this year are driven local students who have a clear passion for the environment and sustainability initiatives. The Lee Brown Marsh Management Committee is proud to play a part in supporting the education of those who are sure to shape the future of our environment. We wish Brendan, Emma and Carley the very best in their studies.”
About the Scholarship
The Leighton & Betty Brown Conservation Scholarship was established to honour the former LPRCA employee and his wife and their many years of service at the Marsh. Leighton was employed as Marsh Manager for more than 15 years (1974 -1989) and together with his wife, Betty, made significant contributions to waterfowl management.
Each year a scholarship is awarded to a student in the Long Point Region watershed who is graduating from high school and pursuing a degree in an environmental or natural resources field at a post-secondary level.
Learn more about the scholarship on LPRCA’s website at lprca.on.ca/scholarship.
Riverine Flood Watch (Event Message #1)
September 22, 2021Long Point Region Conservation Authority is issuing a Riverine Flood Watch for all areas within its watershed.
An Environment Canada Rainfall Warning for Simcoe – Delhi – Norfolk has been issued. It states:
-
- Significant rainfall expected through Thursday afternoon.
- Showers and isolated thunderstorms are expected to continue today before moving out Thursday.
- Total rainfall amounts of 75 to 100 mm are expected by early Thursday afternoon with a few areas possibly reaching 125 mm.
- This widespread rainfall event is due to a cold front and a moisture laden low pressure system that will arrive from the American Mid-west.
The Long Point Region watershed has received approximately 22-40 mm of precipitation during the last 12 hours and forecasts suggest an additional 75-100 mm will fall over the next 48 hours. Area watercourses are still responding to rainfall from yesterday and water levels are expected to rise with the forecasted precipitation, creating the potential for flooding in flood-prone areas.
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 catchbasins are free from debris and functioning properly, if it is safe to do so.
Water levels are expected to remain high for the remainder of the week. Therefore, this Flood Watch is in effect until Monday, September 27, 2021 at 12:45 p.m. LPRCA staff will continue to monitor conditions throughout the watershed and will update this message as necessary.
Contact Ben Watson at 519-842-4242 ext. 264 should further information be required.
Watershed Conditions Statement – Water Safety (Event Message #1)
June 26, 2021Long Point Region Conservation Authority (LPRCA) is issuing a Watershed Conditions Statement – Water Safety for all areas within its watershed.
Much of the Long Point Region watershed received approximately 50 mm (2 inches) of rain in the last 24 hours, and the current forecasts are calling for additional rainfall this evening and overnight. As a result, water levels have risen and continue to rise throughout the watershed causing nuisance flooding in low-lying areas.
People are warned to stay away from ditches, streams, rivers, and ponds as the combination of slippery banks and 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 catchbasins are free from debris and functioning properly, if safe to do so.
Water levels are expected to continue to rise overnight and into Sunday and remain elevated into next week.
LPRCA staff will continue to monitor watershed conditions and will update this message as necessary.
This Flood Outlook is in effect until 12:00 PM, Monday, June 28, 2021.
Contact Paul Gagnon at (519) 429-4899 should further information be required.
Nightly Camping and Day-Use Access Starts Friday, June 11
June 7, 2021Campgrounds open with restrictions as Ontario enters Step One of the Roadmap to Reopen
Nightly camping and day-use access to Long Point Region Conservation Authority campgrounds begins on Friday, June 11, 2021. With the Province announcing that Step One of the Roadmap to Reopen begins on Friday, LPRCA will be opening Backus Heritage, Deer Creek, Haldimand, Norfolk and Waterford North Conservation Areas to nightly camping and day-use access.
Nightly Camping
Nightly camping, for both trailers and tents, can begin at LPRCA campgrounds starting June 11. Bathrooms, including showers, will be open and thoroughly cleaned often. Reservations for nightly camping can be made online at https://longpoint.goingtocamp.com/.
Pavilion and equipment rentals are not available at this time.
Day-Use Access
Day-use access to Backus Heritage, Deer Creek, Haldimand, Norfolk and Waterford North Conservation Areas begins at 8:00 a.m. on Friday, June 11. To help ensure physical distancing can be maintained, each Conservation Area will have a limit to how many visitors can be present at once; when all parking passes are in use, no additional visitors will be permitted to enter the Conservation Area. Parking passes are $15 per vehicle and can be obtained from the Conservation Area gatehouse or reserved up to seven days in advance by using the ‘Parking’ section of the online reservation system at https://longpoint.goingtocamp.com/.
Frequent visitors may be interested in a Season Pass that will permit them to reserve a parking space through the online system at no additional cost. Season Passes can be purchased for $95 at any of the Conservation Area gatehouses. Season Pass holders then reserve a parking space online using the code on their pass and make sure their pass is visible on the dashboard of their vehicle on the day of their visit.
Whether you’re staying overnight or just visiting for the day, please make sure to follow all applicable Provincial guidelines including physical distancing and group size limits.
Conservation Ontario: Province Releases Consultation Guide on Legislative Regulations Impacting Conservation Authorities
May 19, 2021The following is a media release issued by Conservation Ontario.
NEWMARKET ONTARIO (May 17, 2021) – The Province has begun its broader consultation on the proposed regulations to support conservation authority programs and services under the Conservation Authorities Act.
The Guide is titled REGULATORY PROPOSAL CONSULTATION GUIDE: Regulations Defining Core Mandate and Improving Governance, Oversight and Accountability of Conservation Authorities. Agencies and individuals have 45 days to submit their feedback on the proposed regulations.
“We appreciate the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks engaging a wide range of stakeholders in the development of this regulatory proposal consultation guide and we thank the Working Group members for all their efforts,” said Andy Mitchell, Chair of Conservation Ontario, the umbrella organization for Ontario’s 36 conservation authorities.
Mr. Mitchell explained that Conservation Ontario will be working with its conservation authority members to examine the proposed regulations and will provide comments during the consultation period.
“Our goal is to ensure the regulations facilitate the conservation authorities’ commitment to protect people, property and the environment while demonstrating transparency and accountability,” he said.
A Working Group was established by the Province in January 2021 and their first task included looking at the first phase of proposed regulations that impact conservation authorities and their participating municipalities.
Its membership consisted of representatives from conservation authorities, Conservation Ontario, the Association of Municipalities of Ontario as well as the development and agricultural sectors. Hassaan Basit, President and Chief Executive Officer of Conservation Halton is the Chair of the Working Group.
Conservation Ontario will continue to engage the government as work continues on developing the regulations.
Feedback on the proposed regulations is due June 27, 2021 and can be submitted to the Environmental Registry of Ontario.
Long Point Region Conservation Authority Camping Status Update
April 15, 2021
Seasonal Camping begins May 1, nightly camping and day-use access currently on hold
Long Point Region Conservation Authority’s camping season is approaching quickly but elements of the season are impacted by the Provincial Emergency and Stay-at-Home Order enacted on April 8. Seasonal camping will begin as planned on May 1, 2021 but nightly camping and day-use access to LPRCA’s campgrounds is prohibited while the Provincial Emergency and Stay-at-Home Order is in effect.
Seasonal Camping
The provincial restrictions currently in place permit camping on sites secured with a full season contract. Therefore, seasonal campers with LPRCA are permitted to access and use their seasonal sites beginning May 1. Please note that seasonal campers must have their paperwork and payments processed through the Administration Office before they may access their site, paperwork and payment will not be accepted at park gatehouses. Please contact the Administration Office at conservation@lprca.on.ca or 519-842-4242 if you have not yet completed your seasonal registration.
Nightly Camping
Nightly camping is not permitted under the Provincial Emergency and Stay-at-Home Order. With the restrictions extending into the beginning of May, nightly campsite reservations for the start of our operating season are impacted. Reservation holders for this time period will be notified that their reservation has been cancelled and refunds will be issued automatically through the online reservation system.
Day-Use Access
Under the Provincial Emergency and Stay-at-Home order, campgrounds must be closed to the public. This means LPRCA’s Conservation Areas with campgrounds – Backus Heritage, Deer Creek, Haldimand, Norfolk and Waterford North Conservation Areas – are fully closed to day-use.
Long Point Region Conservation Authority will continue to monitor and follow the latest information from the government and health authorities and will resume nightly camping and day-use access to our campgrounds when it is deemed safe to do so. Updates and changes to offered services will be posted to our website and social media accounts.
Thank you for your support and understanding as we work together to keep our communities safe.