Environmental Projects and Studies

In 2008, the town completed a Flood Prioritization Study looking at major open-channel waterways, streams, rivers and lakes to identify flood-sensitive areas in Oakville. 

One of the objectives of this study was to see all flood-sensitive areas in relation to one another and categorize areas as low, medium or high risk of flooding.

Now that the study is complete, the town is in a position to take advantage of provincial, federal or private flood reduction/mitigation funding programs should they come available.

• 2008 Flood Study Report (pdf)
• Flood Study Area (pdf)

The town is carrying out a Municipal Class Environmental Assessment evaluate mitigation and flood reduction options for Fourteen Mile Creek and McCraney Creek from Lake Ontario to Dundas Street. 

The study, which began in 2011, is being completed at a master plan level and is nearing completion, having detailed information of creek flood-prone sites and recommended options to help mitigate flood risk in these areas. These options include the following solutions:

• culvert/bridge upgrades – replace/supplement at select creek crossings
• flood proofing buildings through the use of flood protection berms
• flow diversions
• flood control via stormwater storage measures
• combination of measures above

Next steps include finalizing the master plan and initiating site specific studies for the preferred solutions through the Class Environmental Assessment process. Timing is subject to budget approval and other town-wide priorities.

We are nearing completion of the Joshua’s Creek Flood Mitigation Opportunities Study which has assessed flood risks along Joshua’s Creek south of Upper Middle Road to Lake Ontario. The study is being conducted in compliance with a Schedule ‘B’ Municipal Class Environmental Assessment.

Building upon the recommendation of the town-wide Flood Prioritization Study, the current Flood Mitigation Opportunities Study provides a detailed evaluation of flood prone sites within the Joshua’s Creek watershed and assesses possible mitigation measures to help reduce flood risk.  

Next steps include issuance of the Notice of Study Completion and preparation of the Project File for public review (anticipated summer 2024).

Presentation slides

An overview of the issues, alternatives, evaluation, and preliminary preferred alternatives solutions presented at the October 14, 2021, Public Information Center (PIC):

• Presentation slides - Part One (pdf)
• Presentation slides - Part Two (pdf)
• Presentation slides - Part Three (pdf)
• Presentation slides - Part Four (pdf)

Development design

All new development must be designed to ensure that there is no increased risk to flooding. This is carried out by ensuring that flows from a site are controlled through stormwater management best management practices such as incorporating on-site ponding areas and detention tanks into the design.

All new and future development north of Dundas Street must meet the requirements dictated in the North Oakville Creeks Subwatershed Study. Stormwater for development uses end of pipe controls such as stormwater management ponds that are sized to control the Regional storm peak flows which are roughly two times greater than 100 year peak flows. This provides protection to prevent any increases in flooding as a result of the development in the north. Stormwater management ponds also provide water quality treatment and erosion control measures to prevent impacts downstream.

Addressing debris jams

Routine maintenance of town owned creek blocks are carried out throughout the year, including removal of debris jams resulting from woody debris from fallen trees, debris and garbage. 

If you see concerns with debris jams in the creek, you can report this information to Service Oakville by email at service@oakville.ca or by phone at 905-845-6601. 

Erosion issues

The town carries out creek inventories to assess conditions and identify risks to infrastructure and property to develop implementation plans and prioritize erosion mitigation works on town-owned watercourses. The last inventories were conducted in 2015 and 2021. 

Contact

Diana Michalakos
Project Leader, Capital Projects
diana.michalakos@oakville.ca

The town is carrying out a Municipal Class Environmental Assessment for a detailed assessment of mitigation and flood reduction alternatives for Lower Morrison and Lower Wedgewood Creeks. This study builds upon the recommendations of the town-wide Flood Prioritization Study.

This Flood Mitigation Opportunities Study provides a detailed evaluation of flood-prone sites to determine the degree of flooding and assess the most effective flood mitigation options. The study also evaluates stormwater management design criteria for the planned growth of Midtown Oakville.

The study is being conducted in compliance with Schedule 'C' of the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment Process, which is approved under the Ontario Environmental Assessment Act.

Next steps include issuance of the Notice of Study Completion and preparation of the Environmental Study Report (ESR) for public review (anticipated summer 2024).

We have completed the Munn's Creek Flood Mitigation Opportunities Study. 

The study area included lands south of Upper Middle Road to the Morrison Wedgewood Diversion Channel. The purpose of the study was to assess impacts from riverine flooding, assess potential risks, and develop mitigation options.

The recommended solution to reduce flood risk includes the replacement of existing culvert crossings with larger structures, once the culverts have reached their end of service life.   The structures recommended for upgrades include:

• McCraney Street West culvert
• Miller Road culvert
• Oakdale Drive to Onslow Court pedestrian culvert crossing.

The recommended culvert upgrades will also be designed to improve fish habitat and wildlife passage and enhance the ecological function of the Munn's Creek corridor.

• Staff Report to Council (September 16, 2019)

The goal of the Saville Area Stormwater System Improvement Study is to identify drainage deficiencies, explore opportunities for stormwater system improvement, and develop preferred options to improve drainage.

Learn more about the Saville Area Stormwater System Improvement Study.

We have completed the Sheldon Creek Flood Mitigation Opportunities Study to identify flood-prone sites to determine the most practical and responsible options to reduce flood risk.

Several alternatives were evaluated based on environmental, physical, social, and economic considerations. The options selected are a combination of berm construction and emergency preparedness.

The study was carried out in accordance with the requirements as described in the Municipal Engineers Association’s Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (EA) document, approved under the Ontario Environmental Assessment Act. 

• Staff Report to Council (November 15, 2021)

The town is carrying out a Municipal Class Environmental Assessment to identify erosion risks, define erosion hazards, and develop preferred options to mitigate erosion for East Morrison Creek. 

Visit the East Morrison Creek Erosion Mitigation Study page to learn more.

We are currently in the detailed design and approval phase to rehabilitate a section of Sixteen Mile creek valley slope located just upstream of the Rebecca Street west bridge abutment. Work is anticipated to include sheet pile wall installation.       

Construction is planned for Fall/Winter 2024-2025 (subject to permit timing, harbour operations, and weather conditions). Works will be carried out in conjunction with the Sixteen Mile Creek Outfall Repairs.

We are currently in the detailed design and approval phase to carryout repairs to three existing stormwater outfalls located along Sixteen Mile Creek (Lawson Street, Randall Street and, Forsythe Street. Works include concrete headwall repairs and creek bank stabilization.   

Construction is planned for Fall/Winter 2024-2025 (subject to permit timing, harbour operations, and weather conditions). Works will be carried out in conjunction with the Rebecca Street Bridge Valley Slope Rehabilitation.

Funding

The project received funding from the Canada Community Building Fund (CCBF). The CCBF provides direct, permanent, stable funding to help each municipality in Ontario address local infrastructure priorities. Its purpose is to grow the economy, promote a cleaner environment, and build stronger communities all by investing in local infrastructure.

The town has completed the Shorewood Promenade Shoreline Rehabilitation Study. The purpose of the study was to assess the problem of shoreline erosion and evaluate alternatives to reduce risk to public and private property. 

The recommended solution to reduce erosion risk within the study area includes construction of an armour stone revetment to protect the toe of the natural bluff. The recommended solution addresses the long-term sustainability of the shoreline and considers such factors as lake levels, wave events, ecological function, tableland uses and impacts on adjacent shoreline sites.

The presence of bank swallows, which are designated under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and Species at Risk Act (SARA), were confirmed during the course of the study.

Town staff and our consultants are working closely with the Ministry of Environment Conservation and Parks (MECP) to obtain the necessary approvals for this project to demonstrate an overall net benefit to banks swallows, subject to the ESA and SARA though compensation works planned at South Shell Park (See South Shell Park Shoreline Rehabilitation)

Detailed design and permitting process is underway. Construction is planned for Summer/Fall 2024 (subject to permit timing)

We currently in the detailed design and approval phase to carryout shoreline repairs to the the existing armour stone wall and stone/mortar wall located at South Shell Park (east of the pier).   

As part of the project the town will be incorporating artificial nesting habitat features for bank swallows with opportunities for on-site interpretive public education for this endangered species.

Construction is planned for Summer 2024 (subject to permit timing).