They also take extra readings on request. These observers are all on a voluntary 

 basis. 



Weather radar is also used to assist the flood forecaster in locating the 

 rainfall centres and the extent and movement of the storm. This has proven to 

 be a very valuable tool. At present there is only one installation in Toronto, 

 about the centre of the forecast area. 



Information on river stage is obtained from the gauge readers at the obser- 

 vation stations. However, in those regions where flooding is a recurrent problem, 

 particularly during spring runoff, a corps of observers is organized. These persons 

 are located at strategic points along the river and supply regular readings of the 

 river stage during floods. 



Flood forecasts are issued to commercial radio and television stations for 

 broadcast on receipt. The forecasts are also telephoned directly to the Field 

 Officers in the region affected, and to the local police and other organizations 

 directly associated with protection. In several towns and cities flood organiza- 

 tions have been established which include the police departments, fire departments, 

 Red Cross, Emergency Measures Organization, welfare agencies and private 

 citizens. 



During severe flood conditions, units of the Canadian Army are placed on 

 stand-by on receipt of a flood forecast in order to be of assistance should the 

 local agency be unable to handle the emergency. 



The effectiveness of the Ontario Flood Warning System is maintained by the 

 Conservation Authorities Branch primarily through co-operation with the Meteor- 

 ological Branch, Canada Department of Transport, which is the agency 

 responsible for issuing weather forecasts. The Conservation Authorities Branch 

 is the agency responsible for watershed management in the Province of Ontario. 



Water Control Projects in the Late Planning Stage 



Several Conservation Authorities have water control projects for multiple 

 purposes in the final planning stages and on which initial construction is expected 

 to start during 1962. These include the Upper Thames River Conservation 

 Authority, the Metropolitan Toronto and Region Conservation Authority and 

 the Ausable River Conservation Authority. These three Authorities have signed 

 agreements with the Government of Ontario to carry out water control projects 

 in their watersheds, and also receive Federal financial assistance under The 

 Canada Water Conservation Act, These agreements are similar to those under 

 which dams were constructed on the Grand and Thames Rivers. Cost of most 

 of the projects will be borne by the Government of Canada, the Province of 

 Ontario, and the Authorities, on a 37 1/2, 37 1/2, 25 per cent basis. 



The Metropolitan Toronto and Region Conservation Authority drew up an 

 over-all plan for water conservation and flood control on the watersheds under 

 its jurisdiction. In 1959 and 1960, the plan was approved first by the 23 

 member municipalities within the Authority, and then by the Provincial Govern- 

 ment. The plan was submitted to the Federal Government and, in June 1961. 

 an agreement was signed between the Authority and the Province of Ontario, 

 and another agreement between Ontario and the Government of Canada for carry- 

 ing out this Authority's ten-year plan for the control of water. The Federal Gov- 

 ernment will share 37 1/2 per cent of the cost of acquiring reservoir sites, construc- 

 tion of the major dams, and channel improvements. This cost-sharing arrangement 

 is available on an estimated expenditure of $24,000,000, Other aspects of the plan 

 in which the Government of Canada does not participate include flood land 

 acquisition, several smaller reservoirs, and extension of the flood warning system. 



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