Latest news with #GrandRiverConservationAuthority
Hamilton Spectator
10-07-2025
- General
- Hamilton Spectator
GRCA program offers grants to tackle phosphorous runoff
New grant funding aims to prevent phosphorus runoff, which will support environmental protection projects and also assist farmers in their stewardship efforts. The Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA) is now taking applications for its Grand River Priority Watersheds Phosphorus Reduction Program, which is targeted at farmers in the Nith River and Fairchild Creek subwatersheds to manage phosphorus losses from their fields. Phosphorus is one of the most important nutrients for plant growth, but excessive amounts can pollute waterways and trigger excessive algae growth. Phosphorus originates from both natural and human sources, including wastewater treatment plants, urban stormwater and agricultural runoff. 'With 70 per cent of our watershed in agricultural production, GRCA works with farmers to help them keep sediment nutrients in their fields and out of waterways,' noted the GRCA's Louise Heyming. The program will provide cost-sharing for several projects, including erosion control structures, retiring marginal land, planting stream buffers (trees) or fencing livestock out of watercourses. The funding is provided by the Canada Water Agency's Great Lakes Freshwater Ecosystem Initiative and focuses on preventing toxic and nuisance algae blooms in Lake Erie. 'While reducing phosphorus is the primary focus, this program has multiple benefits,' said Heyming. 'Projects to manage runoff and help maximize nutrient use efficiency will also help improve soil health, biodiversity and flood mitigation. What's good for farm productivity and sustainability is also good for landscape resilience and watershed health.' This will help farmers with stewardship and soil testing, as well as offset the costs of fertilizer. 'Fertilizer is costly, so helping them invest in and try out new practices that allow them to either test their soils more frequently, to see what's actually needed, and what nutrients are actually needed in the soil to balance with crop uptake,' she said. One farm participating in this program is Heritage Hill Farms, a dairy farm in New Dundee. Mary Ann Dore from the farm told The Observer that the funding will not only support new projects but also enhance the work they already do. 'Our agronomist is the one who brought the funding to our attention. We've been soil sampling for years, but with this funding, we could hire a company to do way more sophisticated scans of the fields,' said Dore. 'Now we have very detailed maps of our soil quality and can make better decisions on not only fertilizer application but seed rates when planting.' Dore noted that they were very interested in these scans of the field. 'It has been very helpful in making decisions going forward. Also, having funding for our agronomist to take that information and give us advice was also great because data is only helpful if you know how to use it.' Heritage Hill Farms has always kept an eye out for grants like this and has also implemented many that help with erosion. They have one of their fields that has a steep slope that now has berms and catch basins to help with erosion. 'Which has been amazing to see in action during a big spring rain/snow melt, as it manages the water and doesn't create large ruts in the fields like it did before.' They have also planted many trees on the edge of the field, while also working with Ducks Unlimited to dig two ponds in wet corners of the fields to create wetland spaces, added Dore. 'Farmers pride themselves as stewards of the land, but time and funding is always in short supply. Having not only the funding but also the advisors to help with the project is a key aspect of the project's success.' 'It would be very daunting for me to go out and decide to plant 300 trees. But a little funding, along with a tree specialist and a crew of tree planters to come and do the job, makes it a much easier decision to go ahead with the project,' said Dore. 'All of the staff that I've worked with over the years at GRCA and Ducks Unlimited have been great at setting us up for success, and I appreciate not only the funding but the support.' GRCA, with this round of grants being targeted towards the Nith River and Fairchild Creek, also has a municipal program that addresses sediment and nutrient loss from fields. If you are interested in the grants or the municipal program, go to . Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
CTV News
27-06-2025
- General
- CTV News
Wellington Street Dam reservoir reopening for recreational use
Royal City Park in Guelph is pictured on Friday, June 29, 2018. Recreational use of the Wellington Street Dam reservoir in Guelph is resuming. The Grand River Conservation Authority left the gates to the dam at Royal City Park open in May 2025 while the city completed a construction project near Eramosa River. However, when the in-water portion of the work was done, the conservation authority discovered a bird had moved in and set up a nest. The new resident delayed refilling the reservoir because the nest was protected by the Canadian Migratory Birds Conservation Act and Regulation. In a news release on Friday, the conservation authority said the birds have now fledged and are no longer at risk of being flooded. The reservoir will be refilled over the weekend. Once it's done, recreational use can resume.
CTV News
12-06-2025
- CTV News
Two of Canada's largest outdoor pools opening for the season in Brantford and Dunnville
Swimming fans may want to head to Brantford or Dunnville this summer to enjoy two of Canada's largest outdoor swimming pools. According to the release on Thursday from the Grand River Conservation Authority, they will be opening the pools in the Brant Conservation Area and the Byng Island Conservation Area on June 14. 'A low slope entry, all the way around the pool, means that there is plenty of water frontage for people of all ages to enjoy,' Pam Walther-Mabee, the conservation authority's Director of Conservation Area Operations, said. 'The large pools and expansive Byng Island and Brant Conservation Areas allow us to accommodate many guests comfortably.' Up to 1,000 people at a time can enjoy the two-acre pool at Byng Conservation Area. Meanwhile, the pool in Brantford measures 1.25 acres. Both sites also offer splashpads for younger children or others who don't want to take the plunge.
CBC
01-04-2025
- Climate
- CBC
Freezing rain and slippery conditions expected Wednesday in Waterloo region and area
Freezing rain 'will not be nearly as significant as the ice storm from this past weekend,' statement says People are being warned about freezing rain and slippery conditions, followed by significant rainfall, in Waterloo region, Guelph and Wellington County this week. Environment Canada has issued a special weather statement for the area saying freezing rain will begin Wednesday morning and stretch into Thursday. The statement notes, however, that the freezing rain "will not be nearly as significant as the ice storm from this past weekend." The freezing rain may also bring ice pellets and winds of up to 50 km/h. It means surfaces such as sidewalks and roads may become slippery and ice build-up on branches could cause them to break. "As temperatures rise above the freezing mark, freezing rain will transition to rain over southwestern Ontario through Wednesday afternoon and across central and eastern Ontario Wednesday night," the statement says. Up to 40 mm of rain is expected in some areas, but that could increase if thunderstorms develop, the statement says. Environment Canada says the increase in rain could lead to some flooding. On Monday, the Grand River Conservation Authority issued a flood warning for West Montrose after rain over the weekend. The authority says local water levels are expected to remain high throughout the week. "River flows will remain elevated as runoff from rain and any remaining snow melt drains through the river system," the conservation authority said. The West Montrose flood warning remains in effect until Saturday at noon. Along with the rain, temperatures are set to increase at the last part of the week. The Environment Canada forecast says: Wednesday will be rainy with a high of 2 C. Showers are expected through the evening and the temperature will rise to 6 C. Thursday will cloudy with a chance of rain and a high of 18 C. Friday, sunny with a high of 15 C. Saturday, cloudy with a chance of showers and high of 5 C. Geoff Coulson, a meteorologist with Environment Canada, told CBC News the rollercoaster of weather is not unexpected at this time of year because early April is still "very much a transition month" between winter and spring. He says early April has "the possibility of temperatures bouncing around, storm systems coming up from the American west and southwest bringing moisture with it with temperature flirting with the freezing mark. At this time of year, it's still quite possible to get snow, ice pellets or freezing rain."
CBC
06-03-2025
- Climate
- CBC
Increased risk of ice jam along Grand River, flooding could happen 'without warning': Conservation authority
Social Sharing A flood watch for the entire Grand River watershed has been extended through the weekend because there's an increased risk of ice jams, which could cause flooding. The Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA) extended the flood watch issued earlier this week on Thursday. It is now set to expire on Monday. The authority says up to 20 mm of rain fell in parts of the watershed on Tuesday and Wednesday. Warm temperatures also led to melting snow. Both of these have caused increased water levels in local rivers and streams. "A substantial amount of ice is still present in watercourses and some small ice jams have been observed upstream of Brant Conservation Area and upstream of Veterans Memorial Parkway in Brantford, as well as in the community of York," the GRCA said on Thursday. "Elevated flows may cause the ice to break up and start moving, which raises the risk of ice jam formation and associated flood potential." Be prepared for flooding: GRCA Each municipality has flood co-ordinators who monitor their areas and will send out alerts to residents if it appears an ice jam or flooding is possible. But the GRCA also said people should prepare now for possible flooding. "Residents who typically experience flooding should be prepared as conditions can change quickly and without warning," the GRCA said. People are also being reminded to stay away from bodies of water because banks and shores may be slippery due to mud or ice. "As many students head into the March break, parents are reminded to keep their children and pets away from all watercourses. "Winter activities, including ice fishing, are now closed at all Grand River Conservation Areas. River ice cover is unstable due to thawing conditions and fluctuating water levels. The public is reminded to stay off of all ice-covered waterbodies, due to unsafe conditions." Warmup expected next week Environment Canada issued a winter weather travel advisory for Waterloo region, Guelph and southern Wellington County on Thursday. Up to five centimetres of snow are possible, but the wind could cause blowing snow, making driving difficult at times. The forecast shows temperatures will remain just below freezing until Sunday and snow is likely. On Sunday, the temperature rises to just above freezing, then the early part of next week will see it rise further to nearly 10 C.
