Belle Aire Creek Diversion and Wetland Creation

For many years, residents who live in the Belle Aire and Little Cedar Creek watersheds of south Alcona have had to manage the concerns associated with annual seasonal flooding. We know that this is frustrating and we’re working on improvements.

What is the Town doing to address issues associated with flooding?

We started by partnering on an environmental study with the Lake Simcoe Conservation Authority (LSRCA) and Greenland International Consulting Ltd. to complete a Conservation Authority Class Environmental Assessment (EA). The EA covered:

• Approximately 350 hectares bounded by 6th Line to the north;
• Belle Aire Beach Road to the south;
• The rail line to the west and the shoreline of Lake Simcoe to the east;
• A small subdivision in the southeast corner north of Belle Aire Beach Road;
• Low-density housing along the Lake Simcoe Waterfront, and
• Approximately a dozen rural houses along the Study area limits.

A map of the study area has been provided below and attached under "Documents".

Proposed Solutions

When the EA was completed, the following two solutions were identified:

Preferred Conveyance Solution

Upgrade Belle Aire Creek Channel and Culverts Capacity to Convey 2-yr Storm. This would include the re-shaping and cleanout of about 670m of Belle Aire Creek through the existing community north of Belle Aire Beach Road. Culvert replacements and improvements have also been recommended at the intersections of Temple Avenue and Maple Road.

Preferred Storage Solution

By-Pass Flows Above 2-year Storm to Existing Wetland via New Green Infrastructure Bypass/ Storage Channel in 30m Buffer and Construct Earth Berms in 30m Buffer. The preferred storage/ by-pass solution includes a flow split for storms above the 2-year storm event directed into a green infrastructure bio-filtration channel located at the south edge of Little Cedar Creek Wetland, with berming to increase/ facilitate wetland storage for storage up to the 100-year storm event. The solution also includes a dual outlet system with most flows entering Little Cedar Creek and an emergency discharge through a high flow outlet on municipal property directed towards Maple Road and outlet to Lake Simcoe.

Anticipated Benefits

A list of anticipated benefits is provided below. Please note, as the detailed design progresses there is potential for these benefits to change:

• Reduction in annualized flooding events. This may help mitigate the current annualized damages by up to 91%;
• Water quality benefits including a net total phosphorous reduction to Lake Simcoe of approximately 10.3kg per year (assuming zero "treatment");
• Enhance and maintain the natural characteristics of the tributary area;
• Maximize erosion control; and
• Integrated stormwater management and quantity control.

Implementing a Solution

In 2021, the Town secured an Engineering Consultant to provide a detailed design based on the preferred solutions. We’re also working on coordinating with area landowners to ensure that the preferred solutions can be implemented.

Stay in the Loop!

Please follow the project to ensure you remain up to date on the current status of the project and to participate in any public engagement events and activities.