- Low Water Level Status:
- Flood Status:
Flood Notices:
Green: NORMAL: Conditions are within NORMAL limits. No flooding is expected.
Yellow: HIGH WATER WATERSHED CONDITIONS BULLETIN: unsafe lake, river and channel conditions exist.
Orange: FLOOD ADVISORY: potential for flooding exists within specific watercourses.
Red: FLOOD WARNING: flooding is imminent or occurring within specific watercourses.
More information about flood notices.
Low Water Conditions:
Green: Conditions are normal
Yellow: Level I
Level I is the first condition of a potential water supply problem.
Orange: Level II
Level II indicates a potentially serious water supply problem.
Red: Level III
Level III indicates the water supply has already failed, or will fail, to meet the water demands.
Status indicator
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
Status indicator
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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. |
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HIGH WATER SAFETY BULLETIN is a general notice that indicates conditions exist that could pose a risk to personal safety. High Water Safety Bulletins may be posted when streams are flowing at or near bankfull levels, when ice conditions are unsafe, or when stream banks are icy, soft and/or slippery. |
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FLOOD ADVISORY is a notice of potential for flooding to occur in the near future and that measures should be taken to prepare for a possible emergency. Flood Advisories may be updated depending upon the weather and runoff conditions, and will be followed by a notice of cancellation once the potential for flooding has passed. |
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FLOOD WARNING is a notice that flooding is imminent or occurring and that action is required by municipalities and emergency services. Flood Warnings may be updated depending upon weather and runoff conditions, and will be followed by a noticed of cancellation once the potential for flooding has passed. |
News & Events
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Job Openings Ecological Land Classification Positions
In 1993 and again in 2003, the Hamilton Conservation Authority and its partners hired contract staff to inventory natural areas in the City of Hamilton. After ten years, it is…
Written on Wednesday, 01 February 2012 16:53
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Board of Directors Agenda for Feb. 2
AGENDA FOR BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING FEBRUARY 2, 2012 February 2012 Board PackageMeeting minutes in this package are not yet approved and subject to change. CALL TO ORDER - McHattie …
Written on Friday, 27 January 2012 13:59
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Valens Icefest 2012
Come celebrate the winter season at Valens Conservation Area, on Sunday February 19th. Participate in activities and games, grab a hot lunch from the Strabane Optimists Club, and sweeten your…
Written on Thursday, 19 January 2012 15:32
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2012 Summer Positions in Conservation Areas now Posted
Please note we are having technical difficulties with our Online Application Form...Sorry for any inconvenience Join our team this summer and contribute to the environment and your community. Life in…
Written on Friday, 13 January 2012 20:00
The Hamilton Conservation Authority, headquartered at the western end of Lake Ontario, is the region's largest environmental management agency. For over 50 years it has spearheaded grassroots environmental efforts to help ensure a safe and sustainable community.
The HCA owns, leases or manages about 4,400 hectares (10,900 acres) of environmentally significant land. Much of it is home to rare plants, birds and mammals whose existence depends on an environment that is not pressured by human activity.
Our comprehensive, coordinated approach to watershed management is supported by a broad range of activities which include the following:
Flood Forecasting and Flood Control
As mandated by the province, the HCA is the lead flood forecasting and control agency in the City of Hamilton region. As part of this responsibility, the HCA operates dams at the Christie Lake and Valens Conservation Areas, and manages natural flood-control areas such as wetlands and floodplains. Additionally, the HCA reviews all applications for fill and construction within defined floodplains, and provides plan review comment to identify regulated areas floodplains and susceptible areas where development is proposed. This service plays an integral role in protecting infrastructure, industry, property and natural lands.
Environmental Planning & Watershed Management
Today, it is widely recognized that effective planning controls must be in place to prevent, or regulate new developments in or near natural areas and flood plains. The HCA provides valuable planning and technical assistance in this regard to local municipalities by recommending land use policies and reviewing development applications with potential impacts to wetlands, floodplains and watercourses. The HCA also remains an important commenting agency to the City of Hamilton, providing valuable planning and technical advice on environmental matters.
For more information on how the HCA protects water, please browse the links in this section.
