IDENTIFY THE SOURCES OF WATER FLOWING ONTO BRUCE BEACH RD.

I have been a resident for over 70 years, and have full year access to my property, although I do not live there full time. Hence, I drive along the road year round. Over the years, the amount of water on or overflowing the road has varied greatly, even in the same location. At times the road is dry, and at other times or years, it is very wet. In short, the problems are diverse and the source of problems in one area differs from that in another area. If nothing else, this study must identify the sources of excess water arriving on Bruce Beach Rd. and seek ways to stop the flow at these sources.

There is definitely more water along the road in recent years due to the development of more homes along Lake Range, and on Highland Dr. The problems below Highland Dr. have increased as the owners have clear cut the hill to gain access to the road from their property. In short, the owners of property on Bruce Beach Rd, and those who travel this increasingly busy road, are victims of those living above the road.

When I was President of the Bruce Beach Association, I had a great working relationship with the then Director of Public Works. One August afternoon about 5 years ago ,I invited him down to view the pooling of water on the east side of Bruce Beach Rd behind cottages 118-120. We climbed the hill and discovered a pipe at the top edge of the hill behind a Lake Range residence that was spilling water onto the hill, and then down the hill to the road. The owner was required to cap this pipe. Around the same time, the Director recommended that the Township build French Drains along the east side of Bruce Beach Rd between cottages 118 and 126 (beyond the tennis courts). These French drains have reduced or eliminated water on the road at all times of the year. This was done about 5 years ago, and perhaps it is time for these French Drains to be revitalized and built up with fresh material.

At a minimum, this study must do a house to house investigation of all homes on Lake Range and Highland Dr to ensure that none of the residences are draining water onto the hill—from eaves, from sump pumps, from pools or hot tubs, or from by-passing septic tanks with fresh water. Similarly, deeper drainage ditches and French drains should be installed along the west and/or east side of Lake Range to catch drainage from the fields. And, drainage ditches and French drains should be installed along Highland Dr. Has Saugeen Valley Conservation Authority been consulted about the excessive building on the Highland plateau, and the clear cutting of trees and brush? I wonder if SVCA would even allow the building of homes on Highland Dr if the project were starting today. Most of the rest of the hill above Bruce Beach Rd is zoned as EP.

In summary, rather than spending a lot of time and money finding ways to get rid of the water, more time needs to be invested in finding the source of the water (beyond snow melt), and eliminating these sources. Creating more drainage avenues into the lake is not a long term solution, nor a climate friendly solution.

Barry McPherson