HCA Funding Information

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HCA Funding Information and Financial Statements

User and membership fees help pay for trail maintenance, emergency services, property taxes, insurance and all those little things we need to keep our conservation areas open. Just as important, these dollars directly contribute to important conservation work throughout our watershed and preserve heritage sites on HCA lands.

For almost 50 years, financing conservation authority work was a provincial-municipal partnership. However, conservation authorities have seen dramatic reductions in provincial funding, but must still carry out their mandated work.

To meet their most pressing responsibilities, conservation authorities have restructured, streamlined, refocused priorities and stretched available resources. Some have reduced services; most have increased other sources of revenue to focus on the highest priorities. Generally, self-generated revenue and municipal levies cover the bulk of the cost of the work.

The Hamilton Conservation Authority receives a levy from the City of Hamilton and also the Township of Puslinch that forms part of our budget. The remainder of the budget is funded through user fees, membership fees, grants and donations. Our financial statements, which are audited annually, are available to the public once approved by the Board of Directors.

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Current Water Levels

Water Level Explanations

Flood Status Explanations

	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.