Lakehead Conservation's 2003 expenditures totalled one-and-a-quarter million dollars for: administration of flood and erosion control programs; flood forecasting and warning; plan input and review; watershed planning; operation and development of Conservation Areas (CA) and associated lands; Hazelwood Lake Centre; and community relations.

Along the Kam River, staff are using a new monitoring system to track erosion near Victor St. Funding is being sought to build remedial works on parts of the bank close to the road. The Floodway Drainage Study looked at the cause of ponding along the Diversion Channel and how it could be addressed.

Two groundwater initiatives began in 2003. Twelve wells in our watershed will join the provincial Groundwater Monitoring Network and staff will gather long-term data. The Regional Aquifer Characterization Study will show the extent of aquifers and any interactions. Good information is a key tool for those agencies responsible for wisely managing this resource.

Ontario Power Generation funded new entrance signs and rental of a viewing scope at Mission Island Marsh CA, as well as the autumn Waterfowl Viewing Day. This type of corporate involvement in community projects is very much appreciated. Volunteers make a difference in helping with fundraising, special events and Adopt-a-trail. Thanks very much.

Conservation Areas are very popular with the public. A review of our lands carried out this year revealed that 100,000 visitors use our local Conservation Areas each year. Funding for the properties remains troublesome. The new Explorer Card annual pass was launched in 2003 but sales were slow. Fee boxes at the area bring in some money; however, less than one in ten visitors pays the $2 per vehicle fee when they use our lands. On the brighter side, the Lakehead Conservation Foundation contributed $25,000 to Conservation Areas and our municipalities agreed to provide $25,000 toward Conservation Area operations.

We celebrate our fiftieth anniversary in 2004 and look forward to continuing to serve our watershed residents. In September 2004, Lakehead Conservation will host 100 delegates from across Ontario and showcase our beautiful region.

The graphs and chart, at right, show revenue and expenditures for 2003. Watershed management projects and related administrative costs are funded by municipal levy and provincial transfer payment dollars. Please visit our website for further details on Lakehead Conservation's projects.