WROXETER – Continuing dry conditions have prompted the Maitland Valley Conservation Authority to step up its notice of low water flow across its watershed from a Level 1 to a Level 2 today.

In July, a Level 1 Low Flow Bulletin was issued for the Maitland watershed. Continuing dry conditions across the watershed and declining flows in the river system have caused the local Water Response Team to upgrade the bulletin to a Level 2 Low Flow Bulletin.

Level 2 bulletins are issued when stream flows are approximately 50 per cent of their normal flow or the watershed’s precipitation for one month falls below 60 per cent of average.

The Lower Maitland River sub-basin is being particularly hard hit by low flows.

The long-term average flow at Benmiller is 9.2 cms (cubic metres per second) but during the first eight days of August the flow rate averaged 1.9 cms, according to a press release issued today.

On Aug. 8, the flow rate was just 1.49 cms.

This may have a significant impact on water quality in the area and is detrimental for aquatic species. Levels this low make it very difficult for fish to move freely and may restrict their ability to find food and shelter. Lower water levels also leads to higher water temperatures and this in turn may create algae blooms in the river.

With the implementation of the Level 2 Low Flow Bulletin, watershed residents are strongly encouraged to reduce activities that remove water directly from watercourses. In a Level 2 situation, municipalities and the provincial government may implement or increase restrictions on non-essential water use.

The Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources has developed a Low Water Response Strategy to assist areas experiencing low water conditions. Under the strategy, Water Response Teams are formed so local communities can carry out actions to reduce and better manage water use.

The Water Response Team in the Maitland watershed includes representatives from municipalities, agricultural groups, Ministries of Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, and the MVCA.

The MVCA monitors precipitation, stream flow and water levels in order to recognize and measure the severity of low water conditions. Staff at the MVCA is working to develop a more comprehensive understanding of flow levels in dry conditions. It would like to get a more accurate picture of how landowners are using river water. For example, it would like to learn more about how much water is being used and when it’s being used.

In addition staff would like to hear how shallow wells are holding up during this dry period.

Anyone who would like to share information about low flows in their area is asked to contact Mat Shetler at [email protected] or call 519 335-3557.

Walkerton Toyota donated $3,000 to construction of an outdoor classroom at Brookside Public School.

Brookside Public School is one of ten finalists in a nationwide school competition for $20,000 in funding for an outdoor classroom.

But it needs the public’s assistance to come out on top.

Until May 11, Brookside needs people to vote on-line at least once a day at the Majesta Tree of Knowledge website.

The schools that submitted applications were judged on their essays about why they should be selected, plan for the classroom, and community funding partners.

The nine runners up will receive $1,000.

The goal of the competition is to generate inspiring, creative ideas where students can learn “outside the traditional classroom.”

For more information, and to view a promotional video created by students, visit the Avon Maitland District School Board’s website.

LUCKNOW – Seventy-three dogs were removed from a property near Lucknow yesterday during a follow up investigation by the Ontario SPCA.

Based on advice from a veterinarian, it removed dogs ranging from shar peis and basset hounds to pugs and bulldogs, among others.

The dogs will remain in the care of the Ontario SPCA while the investigation continues.

On Feb. 27, the Ontario SPCA executed 16 warrants following an investigation into multiple animal cruelty complaints. Onsite investigations revealed dogs in need of medical treatment for conditions related to eyes, ears and teeth. There was also inadequate housing. As a result, a number of orders were issued.

Photos of the animals are not available because they are considered to be evidence, according to an official at the Ontario SPCA.

Ontario SPCA Peace Officers returned to some of the properties yesterday morning, as mandatory follow up to ensure orders were being met and standards of care as defined by the Ontario SPCA Act were provided and maintained.

In some cases, orders have been met with compliance.

In other cases, where compliance was not achieved, animals have been removed.

Ontario SPCA responds to all animal cruelty complaints with a formal investigation process.

For more information about the investigation process, please visit its website.

At centre, Goderich Fire Cpt. John Dobie receives Firefighter of the Year for 2011.

HEATHER BOA Bullet News CLINTON – Volunteer Fire Cpt. John Dobie was first to arrive at the Goderich firehall on Aug. 21, responding to what he thought was an alarm coming from the humane society on East Street.

In the absence of the chief and deputy chief, he took charge of the crew and rode to the call in Pumper 11. As the firefighters turned onto Victoria Street, they knew it was more than just an alarm.

“I can only imagine how overwhelming it must have been,” Goderich Fire Chief Steve Gardiner told Huron County Council yesterday, in presenting Dobie with Firefighter of the Year for 2011. Gardiner, along with fire chiefs from Central Huron and Huron East, nominated Dobie for the award, which is one of the 2011 Emergency Services Awards issued by the Warden’s Task Force.

Const. Patrick Armstrong received Police Officer of the Year for 2011.

Huron OPP Const. Patrick Armstrong received Police Officer of the Year for 2011 and Gary Renauld was awarded Paramedic of the Year for 2011.

Dobie took command at the five-points traffic lights in Goderich and began to assign duties to 25 volunteer firefighters who fanned out across town to check on residents in the aftermath of the tornado. They relayed messages back to Dobie, who tracked progress in marker on the side of the pumper. Along the way, they discovered one fatality had occurred and many were injured. As well, there were blocked roads, gas leaks, onlookers unaware of the dangers and poor communications to deal with.

“Firefighters reported to me later of the amazing job he did with so much going on,” said Gardiner.

Huron OPP Const. Patrick Armstrong received Police Officer of the Year for 2011 for the role he has played in established the Dave Mounsey Memorial Fund, which was created to carry on Mounsey’s commitment to community by honouring emergency services professionals who have died in the line of duty and donating defibrillators in communities.

Armstrong was partner to Huron OPP Const. Mounsey, who died as a result of a motor vehicle accident while on duty five years ago. He was also friends with Cpl. Matthew Dinning, who also died five years ago while serving on the Close Protection Team in Afghanistan.

The memorial fund organizes gala events, road races, motorcycle rides and the annual Dancing with the Stars of the OPP, which pairs OPP officers for dance competition.

Since it was established in 2009, a core of committed volunteers has raised more than $100,000 and donated 13 defibrillators through Huron County and the province.

“Constable Armstrong has clearly dedicated himself not only in 2011 but during the past five years to all of the fallen emergency workers and military officers and forever keeping community spirit alive and ensuring life-saving devices are distributed throughout our community,” said Huron OPP Staff-Sgt. Shawn Johnson.

“It doesn’t start when you put on the uniform, it doesn’t stop when you take off the uniform, it’s how you represent the community,” said John Cain, who is the OPP Western Region Commander.

At centre, Gary Renauld receives Paramedic of the Year for 2011.

Huron County Paramedic Gary Renauld, of Goderich, was also honoured for his commitment to community during a career that has spanned nearly four decades.

Renauld has served countless hours volunteering to provide para-medicine and First Aid at local events that include hockey games, track and field events, parades, camps and music festival. This past summer, he served six weeks at Galilean Bible Camp in Blind River.

He has instructed and trained in First Aid for more than 36 years, providing service to organizations such as Canadian Heart and Stroke, and the Red Cross.

He has also gone beyond the boundaries of Huron County to help in projects and provide medical care in third world countries. In January 2012, he will make the trek to Costa Rica for the sixth year in a row, assisting on a medical team that expects to treat over 1,000 patients.

Word is getting out that there’s new Mennonite-run produce auction for farmers in Huron and Bruce, says a rural Ontario blogger who writes under the pseudonym “Ferdzy.”

Ferdzy has been writing about seasonal Ontario food since 2007. She spent a day at the Bruce-Huron Produce Auction, located near Holyrood, watching people bid on produce ranging from beans to tomatoes, corn to squash recently.

“Right now, for anyone who is able to do the driving to get there, it’s likely that bargains can be found,” she wrote on her blog, noting the auction is in its first year of operations and just beginning to grow in popularity.

Owned and operated by members of the farming community, the auction supports local growers by creating a new market for regional produce grown within a 75-km radius of Lucknow. Top quality and full range of seasonal fruit and produce sold is in wholesale lots, starting from a half-bushel. Cash or approved cheque.

The auction is located at 733 Kairshea Avenue, Holyrood, 2 km east of Bruce Rd. 1.

The remaining 2011 wholesale auctions will be held: Sept. 30, Oct. 3, 7, 14, 21 and 28; and Nov 4. Sales start at 3 p.m.

To read the blog in its entirety, click here.