South Nation

Ontario has extended Family Free Fishing to July 19^th, and South Nation Conservation (SNC) is encouraging families from across Eastern Ontario to get out fishing along the South Nation River.

The South Nation River is 175 kilometres long, beginning north of Brockville and empties into the Ottawa River near Plantagenet.

Through various monitoring initiatives, SNC has determined that there are at least 72 species of fish in the River, including smallmouth bass, pike, crappie, walleye, muskie, catfish and carp.

The South Nation Conservation (SNC) Water Response Team has upgraded the Level I (minor) low water conditions issued on June 29^th to Level II (moderate) low water conditions for the Upper South Nation Subwatershed.

The Upper South Nation Subwatershed includes portions of Augusta, Edwardsburgh/Cardinal, Elizabethtown-Kitley, South Dundas, South Stormont, North Grenville, North Dundas, North Stormont, Russell, Casselman, and Nation. The remainder of the South Nation Watershed will remain in Level I (minor) low water conditions.

South Nation Conservation (SNC) is restoring the J. Henry Tweed Conservation Area in Russell thanks to a new 3-year partnership with Ontario Power Generation (OPG).

Main restoration activities throughout 2021 and 2022 will include native tree and shrub planting, repairing existing erosion and streambank stabilization, and restoring in stream habitat to increase biodiversity.

Due to a drier than usual spring, persistent hot temperatures, and lack of precipitation, South Nation Conservation (SNC) has declared a Level I Low Water Condition for its watershed in Eastern Ontario.

Low water conditions are determined based on data collected from precipitation and stream gauges across the watershed. Records indicate that precipitation over the past three months was at least below 80% normal.

A partnership between South Nation Conservation (SNC) and the City of Ottawa is helping to curb the spread of the invasive Emerald Ash Borer across Canada’s capital through an Ash Tree Replacement Program.

City of Ottawa property owners could be eligible to receive up to $500 in cost-share funding towards the removal and replacement of an infected ash tree on their property this year, up to a maximum of $5,000 (10 trees). The City of Ottawa funding is limited to a first-come, first-serve basis.

South Nation Conservation’s (SNC) popular Community Environmental Grants Program has traditionally encouraged and supported community events across the Conservation Authority’s Eastern Ontario watershed jurisdiction that promote recreational use of our rivers, protect the environment, or celebrate our natural heritage. 

Since 2015, SNC has awarded over $25,000 through its Grant Program to community groups and non-profit organizations, helping to host various fundraisers, river races, community clean-ups, environmental fairs, and fishing derbies.

South Nation Conservation (SNC) has downgraded the Flood Watch for the St. Lawrence River issued on April 12, 2020, to a Water Safety.

Weather Forecast:
No significant rainfall is currently in the weather forecast.

Environmental Conditions:
According to the International Lake Ontario – St. Lawrence River Board, Lake Ontario’s water levels remain above average for this time of year but have peaked and are declining. Levels are expected to continue declining in the coming weeks depending on weather conditions.

South Nation Conservation (SNC) will be developing its first public Conservation Area in Augusta Township this year thanks to a municipal and federal partnership to protect local natural spaces and provide new outdoor recreational opportunities.

The park will be located on a 9-acre parcel of land along the South Nation River on McCrea Road. This property was previously owned by the municipality who decided to donate the land to SNC for conservation and recreational use. The Augusta Township Council voted in favour of the land donation and project in February.

A municipal and Conservation Authority commitment to improve local forest cover saw both the South Nation (SNC) and Raisin Region (RRCA) Conservation Authorities partner with municipalities from across their watershed jurisdictions to safely distribute 17,500 free trees to local residents through May.

This is an update to the Flood Watch statement issued by South Nation Conservation (SNC) for the St. Lawrence River on May 15, 2020.

Weather Forecast:
General rainfall up to 5 to 10 mm with a chance of moderate thunderstorms are in the forecast for Eastern Ontario starting Friday, May 29^th into Saturday, May 30^th. More rainfall is expected later next week.