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Punisher Adventure Race
Camping
Summer Day Camps
Crooks Hollow
Annual Pass
Planning & Permits
Christie Antique Show
Punisher Adventure Race

Looking for a new challenge, or a new adventure? Challenge yourself with The Punisher Adventure Race at Christie Lake on Saturday June 16th. This five kilometre adventure race features 10 military style obstacles, a perfect opportunity for experienced and beginner adventure racers alike. Try and escape the 5 kilometers of open and groomed trails with moderate elevations while challenging yourself with 10 military obstacles along the way, which includes: Cargo Net Climbs, Wooden Hurdles, Wooden Wire Reel Climb, Balance Beam traverse, Mud Valleys, Hay Bale Pyramids, Combat Wall with Rope, Tire Hazards, Mud Pit Crawl, and a Fire Hose Gauntlet or take a Sissy Pass and walk the plank for a time penalty instead.  Learn more about Punisher Adventure Race.

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Camping

Enjoy some early camping at Valens Lake Conservation Area this spring.  Our sites offer the best in natural surroundings, modern facilities, service and value. Located near Cambridge in the headwaters of Spencer Creek, Valens Lake is a 300-hectare paradise for outdoor lovers; featuring more than 200 campsites with a northern feel close to home.  Call 905-525-2183 to book.

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Summer Day Camps

HCA offers a variety of summer day camp programs at the Dundas Valley Conservation Area, Fifty Point Conservation Area and Valens Conservation Area. Programs are for children ranging in ages from 6 to 14. If your child wants to learn to fish, have adventures in the Dundas Valley, take a hike or learn more about the species of animals and insects found in the area, we have the perfect program for you!

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Crooks Hollow

The Crooks’ Hollow Conservation Area is undergoing some changes this year. After numerous studies, the dam, constructed nearly a century ago to supply the community of Dundas with drinking water, was deemed unsafe. The dam is to be removed this winter in the interest of public safety. As part of the decommissioning and restoration plan, sediment within the stream behind the dam will be removed, and the stream will be restored close to pre-dam conditions. A new pedestrian bridge will be installed, and the cultural heritage features found on the site will be recognized and incorporated into the new design for the area.

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Annual Pass

HCA Membership Passes allows driver and all passengers to HCA conservation areas for one year from date of purchase. Enjoy Valens, Christie Lake, Dundas Valley, Fifty Point, Spencer Gorge and Webster's Falls, Eramosa Karst, Tiffany Falls and Westfield Heritage Village. HCA Membership Pass holders also receive discounts on camping and your choice of one of six Nature's Rewards - such as free canoe rental for a day or two tickets to Wild Waterworks.  NEW - passholders now receive special discounts from community partners, adding even more value to your pass.  Click here for more information on discounts.

Buy your pass online
Planning & Permits

If you have a stream on your property or if your lot backs onto a ravine, wetland, steep slope or the Hamilton Harbour/Lake Ontario, you are probably affected by HCA Development, Interference with Wetlands, and Alterations to Shorelines and Watercourses Regulation 161/06. Construction and development in these areas are regulated to control changes to watercourses, floodplains, wetlands and steep slopes, in order to prevent flooding and erosion problems. They are also in place to conserve the environment and its associated natural features. 

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Christie Antique Show

Hundreds of Canada's top antique dealers and collectors display and sell an unparalleled variety of treasures. With 10 acres of vintage items waiting to be discovered, there are items to please both the novice and the most experienced collector. Furniture, architectural antiques, stoneware, Native artifacts, folk art, rugs, jewellery, sports memorabilia, scientific instruments, textiles, cut glass-if you can imagine it, you can find it in one of the 1,200 collecting categories featured at the show.

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Purchase annual membership

Our annual membership pass $99.95 plus HST gives you access to all HCA lands for one full year, giving you and your passengers easy entry to our conservation areas.  Get ready to hike, swim, boat, fish, picnic or soak up the sun. Buy your pass online and save!.  Buy your pass online.

Conservation Areas

Hamilton conservation areas have something for everyone: hiking, camping, fishing, boating, cycling, swimming, picnicking, disc golf, ball hockey, waterfalls, open fields, deep forests and more. Learn more about our conservation areas. View photo galleries of our conservation areas.

Programs & Services

As the areas largest environmental agency, Hamilton Conservation Authority is dedicated to the conservation and enjoyment of watershed lands and water resources.  There are four main sections ...

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News & Events

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WaterLevel

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Low Water Level 1 - May 9, 2012

As of May 8, the Hamilton Conservation Authority's Low Water Response Team has declared a Level 1 Low Water Condition for the HCA watershed.

Based on criteria set out by the provincial government in its Low Water Response Plan, the conditions established are: Level I for the entire Hamilton area watershed, which includes Spencer Creek, Red Hill Creek, Stoney Creek and Battlefield Creek as well as all of their tributaries and other minor watercourses.

The 3 month average precipitation across the watershed is between 40% and 60% of normal for the period of February - April. This follows a winter with a significantly reduced snowpack which reduced the contribution of snow melt to spring flows. Flow stations on Spencer Creek, Ancaster Creek, and Red Hill Creek are indicating average monthly flows below normal for this time of year.

At this time we are requesting all users reduce their water use by 10%, and to forward this message on to other water users in their sectors. Strategies for reducing water use can be found on the Low Water Condition Factsheet.

The Low Water Response Team is made up of water users in the watershed including agricultural representatives, golf courses, nursery operators, quarry operations, and industrial users as well as provincial, municipal, and HCA representatives. For more information please connect with us socially @Hamilton_CA or Patrick.Ragaz@conservationhamilton.ca

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Status Indicator

Normal Normal
Generally indicates low flow to base flow conditions. It should be noted that during Normal flow conditions, the inherent risk to personal safety associated with flowing water still exists.
Level 1
Flows are below 70 percent of their normal summer low flow. Water users are asked to reduce their consumption by 10 per cent.
Level 2
Flows are below 50 percent of their normal summer low flow. Water users are asked to reduce their consumption by 20 per cent.
Level 3
Flows are below 30 percent of their normal summer low flow and there is potential for economic harm to water takers and/or significant harm to the ecosystem. The Water Response Team may ask the province to impose mandatory restrictions on those holding Permits to Take Water.

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Status Indicator

Normal Normal
No flood conditions exist.
High Water Safety Bulletin Watershed Conditions Statement - Water Safety
 High flows, unsafe banks, melting ice or other factors that could be dangerous for recreational users such as anglers, canoeists, hikers, children, pets, etc. Flooding is not expected.
High Water Safety Bulletin Watershed Conditions Statement - Flood Outlook
Early notice of the potential for flooding based on weather forecasts calling for heavy rain, snow melt, high wind or other conditions that could lead to high runoff, cause ice jams, lakeshore flooding or erosion.
Flood Advisory Flood Watch
Flooding is possible in specific watercourses or municipalities. Municipalities, emergency services and individual landowners in flood-prone areas should prepare.
Flood Warning Flood Warning
Flooding is imminent or already occurring in specific watercourses or municipalities.

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