State of the River 2005-2006

Thames River (Ontario)
“Canada’s Deep South”
Designated 2000

The Thames River’s heritage values remain strong, despite it’s situation in a heavily developed part of Canada. 

In the spring of 2005 the Thames Canadian Heritage River Committee hosted the 5th Annual Thames River Symposium in Stratford, Ontario.  About 75 people from across the watershed gathered to hear speakers on such topics as tourism, river restoration and water stories.   The Committee also produced a  fall edition of the Thames River Happenings newsletter which was circulated to watershed groups, clubs, libraries and agencies.

Natural Heritage Values

On April 22nd (Earth Day), over 1,000 people from the Thames watershed participated in the 6th Annual Thames River Cleanup.  This volunteer-driven effort has grown consistently over the years. 

Watershed farmers received about $400,000 in grants through the Clean Water Project to make changes in their operations to improve water quality.  The landowners pitched in another $600,000 of their own money for these projects.

Two small weirs were removed from tributaries of the Thames in 2005 to improve water quality and allow fish passage.  The Dingman and Oxbow weirs were no longer serving a function, so the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority and several partners orchestrated their removal.  Future removals are planned. 

Cultural Heritage Values

Several annual living history events were celebrated across the watershed in 2005 including the Faire at the Forks in Chatham, Fairfield Comes Alive in Fairfield (near Thamesville), the Battle of Longwoods southwest of London, and a Civil War Re-enactment at Wildwood Conservation Area near St. Marys.

The Fairfield Museum near Thamesville received a grant to naturalize part of their property to tallgrass prairie, a once widespread but now rare plant community of southwestern Ontario.  The Museum, in partnership with Ridgetown College, also developed a trail leading down to the Thames River to connect with the river heritage.

Many art venues have used taken inspiration from the river.  In London, artists used maps to create an exhibit focusing on the Thames and displayed at 1 Dundas Street at the Forks.  Stratford’s Gallery 96 sponsored an exhibit for young artists to respond to the contemporary significance of the Avon River, a tributary of the Thames, in their community. 

Recreational Values 

The Thames was the setting for several dragon boat races in 2005 including events in Stratford, London, Woodstock and St. Marys.  Watershed canoe clubs, rowing clubs, sailing clubs, hiking associations and others continue to make excellent use of the river, the reservoirs and the adjacent lands.  July 8th was Family Fishing Day, a popular event held at three Conservation Areas in the watershed.

Doors Open Ontario has created great opportunity for the public to tour various heritage buildings and sites not normally open to the public.   London and Chatham-Kent hosted numerous sites including the caverns of the Fanshawe Dam and the restored Chatham Capital Theatre.

The Town of Ingersoll installed a new walking trail linking the Cheese Factory Museum and Sports Hall of Fame to other trails along the South Thames.  

Areas of Concern

Since the Thames is situated in a highly developed part of Ontario, conflicts between preservation and growth and development arise.   The City of London completed Phase I of a Thames Corridor Plan to plan for future growth and protection along this very important feature.

Heritage buildings in small towns and cities continue to face challenges as maintenance costs climb and the structures age.

Monitoring of the invasive zebra mussel, first  recorded in 2003, has shown that these mussels have expanded their range in the Upper Thames to several sites, but no major disruptions have been seen yet.  Invasive species monitoring is needed to keep an eye on the ever growing list of plants and aquatic organisms that threaten the ecological diversity of this most biologically rich region of Canada.

For more information, contact Cathy Quinlan (519 451- 2800 ext. 234; quinlanc@thamesriver.on.ca)