Welcome to the

Hamilton Conservation Authority

Hamilton Conservation Authority, located at the western end of Lake Ontario, is the area’s largest environmental management agency, and is dedicated to the conservation and enjoyment of watershed lands and water resources.

Permits & Regulation

FAQ’s, links, property mapping, information and advice regarding permits, fees and regulations with regards to the Hamilton Conservation Authority.

Conservation Areas

Plan your visit to the Hamilton Conservation Area and discover the many attractions and conservation areas available in the Greater Hamilton region.

Stewardship Program

The Hamilton Watershed Stewardship Program (HWSP) works with landowners in the Hamilton Conservation Authority watershed region.

Activities & Recreation

Boating

Hiking

Camping

Ice Climbing

Equestrian

Picnicking

Fishing

Swimming

GeoCaching

Winter Activities

and much more...

Current News

2023 updated banners for website- NOTICE-01

Citizen Opportunity – HCA Conservation Advisory Board

Current HCA News

Citizen Opportunity – HCA Conservation Advisory Board

HCA is seeking up to 3 watershed residents to join the Conservation Advisory Board (CAB) The Hamilton Conservation Authority (HCA) is one of Ontario’s 36 Conservation Authorities dedicated to protecting, […]

Spencer Gorge to begin daily advance reservations on September 23

Alerts, Current HCA News

Spencer Gorge to begin daily advance reservations on September 23

Spencer Gorge Conservation Area, which includes Dundas Peak, Tew Falls and Webster Falls, will require an advanced reservation seven days a week, beginning September 23, to accommodate the fall colour […]

Monitoring Technologist

Job Opportunities

Monitoring Technologist

The Hamilton Conservation Authority is hiring a Full Time Monitoring Technologist Reporting to the Manager Water Resources Engineering, the Monitoring Technologist is responsible for data collection, data processing, data analysis, identification […]

Reservations now open for Westfield’s Halloween Pumpkin Party

Current HCA News

Reservations now open for Westfield’s Halloween Pumpkin Party

Join us for Westfield’s Annual Halloween Pumpkin Party, on Saturday, October 28 and Sunday, October 29 from 10 AM to 4 PM. Visitors, young and old, are encouraged to wear […]

Volunteer sought for General Public Representative on the Halton-Hamilton Source Protection Committee

Current HCA News

Volunteer sought for General Public Representative on the Halton-Hamilton Source Protection Committee

The Halton-Hamilton Source Protection Region invites eligible candidates to fill one General Public vacancy on the Halton-Hamilton Source Protection Committee. If you are a collaborative, solutions oriented individual, with an […]

2023 updated banners for website – board meeting cancelled-01

October 12 Conservation Advisory Board Meeting Cancelled

News Archive

October 12 Conservation Advisory Board Meeting Cancelled

The October 12, 2023 Conservation Advisory Board Meeting has been cancelled. For a full schedule of meetings, click here.

HCA TERMINATION OF WATERSHED CONDITIONS-03

Termination of Updated Flood Watch – Watercourse Flooding – August 21, 2023

Current HCA News

Termination of Updated Flood Watch – Watercourse Flooding – August 21, 2023

The Hamilton Conservation Authority (HCA) is advising that the Updated Flood Watch – Watercourse Flooding message issued on August 16 has now been terminated. For further information or questions regarding […]

Fairies in the Forest at Westfield: Sept 3 & 4

Current HCA News

Fairies in the Forest at Westfield: Sept 3 & 4

Join us for another magical fairy event for every age at Westfield Heritage Village on Sunday, September 3 and Monday, September 4 from 10 AM to 4 PM. Discover the […]

HCA Board appoints Councillor Brad Clark as new Chair

Current HCA News

HCA Board appoints Councillor Brad Clark as new Chair

Councillor Brad Clark was acclaimed the new Chair of the Hamilton Conservation Authority Board of Directors during its annual general meeting on August 3. Susan Fielding was acclaimed Vice Chair. […]

Passholders can use alternate entrance on Kelson Road for Fifty Point access

Current HCA News

Passholders can use alternate entrance on Kelson Road for Fifty Point access

Fifty Point Conservation Area now features an additional seasonal entranceway. The entrance is located off Kelson Road. The additional entrance is hoped to ease the traffic concerns at the main […]

HCA Now Offering Advanced Day Passes

Current HCA News, News Archive

HCA Now Offering Advanced Day Passes

Love getting outdoors, but hate the line? Hamilton Conservation Authority’s (HCA) new advanced day pass lets visitors skip the line for smooth entry into their favourite HCA conservation area! Just […]

Wild Waterworks is set to open for the season on June 24

Current HCA News

Wild Waterworks is set to open for the season on June 24

Wild Waterworks is excited to announce that its opening day will be Saturday, June 24, 2023. Staff are preparing the park to welcome guests back to enjoy our attractions this […]

HCA Contributes Large Natural Areas to Canada’s Protected Areas Target

Current HCA News

HCA Contributes Large Natural Areas to Canada’s Protected Areas Target

Hamilton Conservation Authority (HCA) and Ontario Nature are pleased to announce that three of the conservation authority’s properties totaling 2,239 hectares now officially contribute towards Canada’s goal of protecting 30 […]

Long Weekend Reservation system begins May 20 at Dundas Peak, Tew Falls, and Webster Falls

Current HCA News

Long Weekend Reservation system begins May 20 at Dundas Peak, Tew Falls, and Webster Falls

Beginning May 20, Spencer Gorge Conservation Area, including Dundas Peak, Tew Falls and Webster Falls, will have an advanced long weekend and fall colour reservation system for a 2-hour hike […]

Forest Bathing Walks

Take a break from the stresses of daily life and bathe your senses in the Dundas Valley forest, with HCA’s Forest Therapy Guide, at one of our upcoming sessions. Forest […]

Funding to Decommission Abandoned Water Wells

News Archive

Funding to Decommission Abandoned Water Wells

Are you a property owner in the City of Hamilton that has an unused or abandoned well on your property? Property owners in the City of Hamilton may be eligible […]

Federal Funding Success for Saltfleet Conservation Area Wetland Restoration Project

Current HCA News

Federal Funding Success for Saltfleet Conservation Area Wetland Restoration Project

Hamilton Conservation Authority (HCA) is pleased to announce funding of $1,250,000 towards the cost of the 50-acre parcel of land that HCA acquired in July 2022 that forms part of […]

Termination of Watershed Conditions Statement (Water Safety)

Current HCA News

Termination of Watershed Conditions Statement (Water Safety)

The Hamilton Conservation Authority (HCA) is advising that the Watershed Conditions Statement (Water Safety) message issued on April 6 has now been terminated.

Termination of Level 2 & Level 1 Low Water Conditions for the HCA watershed

Current HCA News

Termination of Level 2 & Level 1 Low Water Conditions for the HCA watershed

Due to increased amounts of precipitation over the last few months, the previously declared Level 2 & Level 1 Low Water Conditions for the HCA watershed have been terminated. The […]

2022 Annual Report released

Current HCA News

2022 Annual Report released

We are pleased to present our annual report for 2022. We have so much to celebrate in terms of what we accomplished last year in all of our strategic plan […]

HCA releases 2023 Watershed Report Card

Current HCA News

HCA releases 2023 Watershed Report Card

Conservation Authorities across Ontario have just launched a third set of watershed report cards (WRCs) coinciding with World Water Day. This is an important project reporting on environmental conditions in […]

Adventure is coming to the Dundas Valley!

Current HCA News

Adventure is coming to the Dundas Valley!

Get your kids outside this summer with an Adventure in the Valley! Join the Hamilton Conservation Authority’s (HCA) Environmental Education team for a week of outdoor fun in the Dundas […]

Fifty Point Gate Staff Person

Job Opportunities

Fifty Point Gate Staff Person

Gate Staff Person Fifty Point Conservation Area (Part time Casual position) Fifty Point Conservation Area is approximately 98 hectares in size and is located in Stoney Creek (formerly Winona). The […]

Termination of Flood Watch – Lake Ontario Storm Surge

Current HCA News

Termination of Flood Watch – Lake Ontario Storm Surge

The Hamilton Conservation Authority (HCA) is advising that the Flood Watch – Lake Ontario Storm Surge message issued on March 2 has now been terminated. For further information or questions […]

Reservations for the Valens Lake Drumlin Cabins open to the public on February 8

Current HCA News

Reservations for the Valens Lake Drumlin Cabins open to the public on February 8

HCA is now offering a new and exciting overnight accommodation, the Drumlin Cabins! These cabins are the first of their kind at HCA and are located at Valens Lake Conservation […]

HCA Main Office Service Notice

Alerts, Current HCA News

HCA Main Office Service Notice

The HCA Main office is open to the public. Many staff are working hybrid schedules and may not always be in the office. Meetings and appointments should generally take place […]

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Wild Waterworks Summer Positions

Current HCA News, Job Opportunities

Wild Waterworks Summer Positions

Make your summer job a summer to remember! Wild Waterworks outdoor waterpark has begun accepting applications for the 2023 summer season. Experience huge waves of Wild Waterworks’ amazing employee perks […]

Heavy Equipment Operator/AZ Driver

Current HCA News, Job Opportunities

Heavy Equipment Operator/AZ Driver

The Hamilton Conservation Authority currently has a Full-time opportunity for a Heavy Equipment Operator/AZ Driver Job Summary The position assists with a wide range of restoration and construction projects within […]

Current Impacts of Bill 23

Current HCA News

Current Impacts of Bill 23

Monday December 12, 2022 – With the recent passing of Bill 23, More Homes Built Faster Act, there are several changes that may have an impact on our permitting role, […]

Dear Premier Ford: Let’s reconsider Bill 23

Current HCA News

Dear Premier Ford: Let’s reconsider Bill 23

Hamilton Conservation Authority (HCA) is asking the Ford government to pause and reconsider Bill 23, the More Homes Built Faster Act, which has already received second reading. Its broad goals […]

	Normal No low water conditions exist.
	Level 1 Water users are asked to voluntarily reduce consumption by 10 percent. Precipitation totals are less than 80 percent of long-term averages and/or 30-day average streamflows are less than 100 / 70 percent (springtime / otherwise) of the minimum of the long-term average monthly flows for summer months.
	Level 2 Water users are asked to voluntarily reduce consumption by 20 percent. Precipitation totals are less than 60 percent of long-term averages and/or 30-day average streamflows are less than 70 / 50 percent (springtime / otherwise) of the minimum of the long-term average monthly flows for summer months.
	Level 3 There is also potential for economic harm to water takers and/or significant harm to the ecosystem. The Hamilton Water Response Team may ask the province to impose mandatory restrictions on those holding Permits to Take Water. Precipitation totals are less than 40 percent of long-term averages and/or 30-day average streamflows are less than 50 / 30 percent (springtime / otherwise) of the minimum of the long-term average monthly flows for summer months.

	Normal No flood conditions exist.
	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.
	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 Watch Flooding is possible in specific watercourses or municipalities. Municipalities, emergency services and individual landowners in flood-prone areas should prepare.
	Flood Warning Flooding is imminent or already occurring in specific watercourses or municipalities. Municipalities and individuals should take action to deal with flood conditions. This may include road closures and evacuations.

Welcome to the

Hamilton Conservation Authority

Permits & Regulation

Conservation Areas

Stewardship Program

Activities & Recreation

and much more...

Current News

Join Our Mailing List!

Current Water Levels

Water Level Explanations

Flood Status Explanations