Welcome to Grey Sauble Conservation Authority!

Town of South Bruce Peninsula/Georgian Bluffs

Flood Status: Watershed Rivers

Lake Huron/Georgian Bay

Low Water Status

Forestry Services

Enhance your property with professionally planted trees, maximize your forest’s potential with the Managed Forest Tax Incentive Program, or purchased trees/seedlings and do the planting yourself.

Tree Orders

Our online order form makes it easy to purchase high-quality trees and seedlings to plant on your property at an affordable price.

At the GSCA we believe that time spent in nature has countless benefits for children that will last a lifetime, which is why the program allows campers to be outside exploring the environment around us!

Visit Our Properties

GSCA owns and manages 11,734 hectares (28,995 acres) of land throughout its 3,191 square kilometre (1,983 square mile) jurisdiction.

For information on Pavilion Rentals go here.

Regulation Permits

If you are planning on building, changing the existing grade, adding or removing material if you are near a river, stream, lake, shoreline, wetland or slope, you may need a permit for these activities.

Employment

Check out our employment opportunities.

Fees

GSCA charges fees for various services and programs. These include planning and permit fees, parking fees, mapping and forestry services.

Stewardship Grants

We may have funding available for your farm!

If you're interested in a certain project but are not sure if it qualifies, submit the Stewardship Application Form and our Stewardship Technician will contact you to discuss your plans.

Governance

Get information about Board of Directors members, meeting packages and minutes.

RECENT NEWS

WATERSHED CONDITIONS STATEMENT – FLOOD OUTLOOK (April 30, 2026): Town of South Bruce Peninsula and the Township of Georgian Bluffs

April 30, 2026

Message Number: 2026-14
Issued on: April 30, 2026 (4:30 pm)
Issued by: Ian Eriksen, GSCA Flood Duty Officer

To: The Town of South Bruce Peninsula, the Township of Georgian Bluffs, and Watershed Media

Message:

Due to continued high water levels in the Skinner Marsh and Hepworth areas, as well as at Gould Lake, Grey Sauble Conservation Authority has extended the previously issued Flood Outlook Statement for the Town of South Bruce Peninsula and the Township of Georgian Bluffs.

Water levels in major watercourses have remained stable over the past week. However, water levels near Shallow Lake, Skinner Marsh/Hepworth, and Gould Lake have dropped slightly, but remain high. Some roadways and low-lying lands are still flooded. Residents in these areas are advised to remain on alert and take precautions as necessary. The current forecast calls for occasional showers, but no significant rainfall events are expected for the next week.

Grey Sauble Conservation Authority would like to remind everyone that significant runoff events can lead to unsafe conditions near rivers and streams. Fast moving water and slippery or unstable banks can present significant safety risks. Please stay alert and avoid watercourses when flows are high.

Grey Sauble staff will continue to monitor the weather and water levels and provide additional updates as needed.

Watershed residents can access snow, stream flow and rain gauge data through the Watershed Conditions page on our website: www.greysauble.on.ca/watershed-conditions-maps/

This Statement expires Thursday, May 14, 2026 at 3:00pm unless replaced by further updates.

Contact: Ian Eriksen, Flood Duty Officer, flood@greysauble.on.ca , ph 548-877-0701

WATERSHED CONDITIONS STATEMENT – FLOOD OUTLOOK (April 24, 2026)

April 24, 2026

Message Number: 2026-13
Issued on: April 24, 2026 (4:00 pm)
Issued by: Ian Eriksen, GSCA Flood Duty Officer
To: All Grey Sauble Conservation Watershed Municipalities and Watershed Media

Message:

Following a week with very little rain, Grey Sauble Conservation Authority has downgraded the previously issued Flood Warning for the Town of South Bruce Peninsula to a Flood Outlook Statement for the Grey Sauble watershed.

Approximately 10 to 15 mm of rain is forecast over the next 24 hours and an additional 5 to 10 mm of rain is forecast for Tuesday, but conditions are otherwise expected to remain warm and dry.

Water levels in major watercourses have dropped significantly over the past week. However, water levels near Shallow Lake, Skinners Marsh/Hepworth, and Gould Lake have dropped slightly, but remain extremely high. Some roadways and low-lying lands remain flooded. Residents in these areas are advised to remain on alert and take precautions as necessary, but a significant rise in the water level is not expected over the next 7 days.

Grey Sauble Conservation Authority would like to remind everyone that significant runoff events can lead to unsafe conditions near rivers and streams. Fast moving water, slippery or unstable banks, and melting ice can present significant safety risks. Please stay alert and avoid watercourses when flows are high.

Grey Sauble staff will continue to monitor the weather and water levels and provide additional updates as needed.

Watershed residents can access snow, stream flow and rain gauge data through the Watershed Conditions page on our website: www.greysauble.on.ca/watershed-conditions-maps/

This Statement expires Thursday, April 30, 2026 at 3:00pm unless replaced by further updates.

Contact: Ian Eriksen, Flood Duty Officer, flood@greysauble.on.ca , ph 548-877-0701

MEDIA RELEASE (April 24, 2026): Court Ruling Grants GSCA Full Cost Recovery in Hibou Conservation Area Case

April 24, 2026

For immediate release

Grey Sauble Conservation Authority (GSCA) has been awarded full indemnity costs totaling $22,884.13 following court proceedings related to the ownership of the Hibou Conservation Area. The ruling follows the Court’s earlier decision confirming GSCA’s ownership of the property and addresses GSCA’s request for recovery of legal costs incurred during the litigation.

This decision follows a situation that arose in April 2020 when a “For Sale” sign appeared on the northeast portion of the Hibou property near Leith. The sign raised concerns from local residents and community groups, prompting widespread attention on social media. GSCA staff became aware that another party had registered a title interest in this section of the property and took immediate steps to address the issue. Following legal action to prevent the sale and resolve the title dispute, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice issued a decision on May 27, 2025, declaring that all right, title, and interest in the subject property is vested in GSCA, and that any claim by the respondent or other parties is extinguished.

In its recent decision, the Court reaffirmed that GSCA is the rightful owner of the land in question and that the opposing party did not hold valid title. The Court found that the claim relied on invalid documentation and that the opposing party knew, or should have known, that they did not own the property. The Court also rejected arguments attempting to distinguish between ownership of the land and ownership of the associated Property Identification Number. While legal costs are typically awarded on a partial indemnity basis, the Court determined that higher costs were justified in this case due to what it described as especially egregious conduct. The decision emphasized the seriousness of attempting to appropriate conservation authority land held for public benefit.

“This ruling confirms that GSCA acted appropriately and responsibly to protect public conservation land. The Court’s decision not only reaffirms our ownership of the Hibou Conservation Area but also ensures that the costs of defending that ownership are not borne by local taxpayers,” said Tim Lanthier, CAO of Grey Sauble Conservation Authority.

Hibou Conservation Area consists of approximately 329 acres of land along the shoreline of Georgian Bay. It was acquired by the former North Grey Region Conservation Authority (now GSCA) in the early to mid-1970s, following a successful community fundraising campaign. Since that time, GSCA has maintained Hibou as a public access conservation area.

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For more information:
Grey Sauble Conservation Authority
media@greysauble.on.ca

Background:

Vision: A vibrant watershed, supported by GSCA, where ecosystems thrive, and communities are healthy, safe and prosperous.

Mission: To champion a healthy and safe watershed through innovative conservation efforts, sound planning, and inspiring education initiatives, now and in the future.

FLOOD WARNING – Town of South Bruce Peninsula (April 17, 2026)

April 17, 2026

Message Number: 2026-12
Issued on: April 17, 2026 (2:00pm)
Issued by: Ian Eriksen, GSCA Flood Duty Officer
To: The Town of South Bruce Peninsula and Watershed Media

Message:

While no rain is forecast for today, an additional 5 to 15 mm of rain is expected on Saturday. The water level at Gould Lake and through Hepworth remains high and is expected to remain high for several days or more. In addition, flooding is reported to be actively occurring. As a result, Grey Sauble Conservation Authority (GSCA) has upgraded to a Flood Warning for the Town of South Bruce Peninsula, specifically for the areas in and around Gould Lake and Hepworth.

Water levels in the major watercourses across the watershed are dropping and are expected to continue to drop over the next week. As a result, the Flood Watch for the remainder of the watershed has ended.

Bruce County and the Town of South Bruce Peninsula are aware of the extremely high water levels and will continue efforts to improve the situation. However, if residents notice the situation getting worse or any significant changes, they can call the Town Hall at 519-534-1400 to report these changes. If changes are noticed after hours, please follow the phone system prompts.

Flood Warnings are issued when flooding is imminent or already occurring. Landowners within these areas should monitor their situation and be prepared to evacuate if necessary. While the situation is generally improving in both areas due to 24 hours without rain, it is still critical.

GSCA reminds everyone that significant runoff events can lead to unsafe conditions near rivers and streams. Fast moving water and slippery or unstable banks can present significant safety risks. Stay alert and avoid watercourses when flows are high.

Grey Sauble staff will continue to monitor the weather and the flows and provide additional updates as needed. Watershed residents can access stream flow and rain gauge data through the Watershed Conditions page on our website: www.greysauble.on.ca/watershed-conditions-maps/

This Statement expires Friday, April 24^th, 2026 at 4:00pm unless replaced by further updates.

Contact: Ian Eriksen, Flood Duty Officer, flood@greysauble.on.ca; ph 548-877-0701