Debris removed from sluice gate in Stratford

Victoria Lake in Stratford, Ont. was photographed on July 29, 2025. (Karis Mapp/CTV News)

A sluice gate that had been stuck in the open position since a storm is once again working.

The Upper Thames River Conservation Authority said the sluice gate at RT Orr Dam in Stratford, Ont. was opened to release water and prevent flooding during a storm on July 24. However, something became lodged under the sluice gate, preventing it from closing again.

On Thursday, the conservation authority announced the debris that had been causing the issue was safely cleared and the sluice gate was able to close.

Now that the mechanical issue has been solved, Lake Victoria, which had been slowly draining while the sluice gate remained open, is refilling.

“How quickly the reservoir fills, and normal recreational activities can resume, will depend on rainfall,” a news release from the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority said.

It is welcome news for many of the business owners who rely on the lake for their livelihoods and for the locals and tourists who enjoy the natural beauty of the water.

For now, the conservation authority will be keeping a close eye on the water levels in the area, including along the Avon River.

“Water levels may be lowered in the channel between the dam and John Street to maintain flows downstream. It is also possible that Lake Victoria may go down slightly as discharge from the dam is fine-tuned but it is not expected to fall significantly,” they said.

People in the area are also asked to keep an eye out for turtles that may be on the move due to the changing water levels.