CLOSED: This discussion has concluded.

Thoughts on the Concepts presented by DEL

This is a note from Peter, Huron-Kinloss taxpayer at Bruce Beach.  Based on a conversation with his son David (who will eventually be a Huron Kinloss taxpayer).  David is a professional engineer and has over 10 years’ experience in an urban drainage setting. 

Good Morning:

Below are my thoughts on the issue and the various alternatives proposed by the Township through DEL.

Very little has changed physically on the beach (from the bottom of the hill to the Lake) in the last 20 years that would contribute to the increased occurrence and magnitude in flooding events on the beach, so this leads me to believe that causes of the flooding events are external to the Beach. Causes could be the installation of drain tiles in the farmers’ fields or the cutting of trees on the hill or new development on Lake Range Road.

What has changed on the beach is the number of full time residents on the beach and who are not necessarily accustomed to having to accommodate significant weather in a rural environment. For example - the spring melt has occurred every spring but only in the last few years are there more people it affects since previously there were few on the beach to experience or be affected by the event.

That being said, I have the following comments/concerns on each of the alternatives outlined in the presentation.

Concept 1:

The elevation difference between the Bruce Beach Road and the lake water level is minimal. What slope will the drains/sewers be installed at to ensure that the pipes are self-flushing from any sediment and debris that enters into the system? Whether or not the road is paved (which I believe should NOT occur) and measures are implemented to limit sediment entering the system at catch basins etc., sediment from the hill will likely make its way into the system requiring regular maintenance and flushing.

Concept 2:

Similar concerns as Concept 1 but magnified as the outlet is 2 km away from the start of the sewer/drain at Highland Drive. Any blockage in the drain/sewer will just back up and flow out of any of the catch basins and flood that particular section of Bruce Beach Road which may not be experiencing any current issues.

The added concern is the new outlet location at the 8th Concession - with the number of daily visitors to the beach in this area, there will be a safety issue with the outlet area. Kids trying to enter the outlet pipe or the rip rap or other erosion resistant installation from the outlet pipe to the lake that will be required which will create a new safety hazard to people walking and playing on the beach.

Concept 3:

This option looks to solve the issue in the area closer to where the issue is created by cutting off the storm water before it reaches the Bruce Beach Road. Again, the outlet on the 8th Concession is problematic for the reasons stated in Concept 2 but it seems the majority of the solution is on Lake Range Road which would likely be easier to construct and maintain in the future.

Concept 4:

The Stormwater Management Pond is an easy solution to construct and maintain, and it works to alleviate the issue closer to the source of the issue (increased water flow). The challenge is that constructing a municipal facility on private land will require the landowners’ permission to do so. Will the potentially lost acreage be accepted by the landowner? The pond can be graded to allow access for agricultural activities but the issue is that when crops need to be planted is likely when the pond will be full of water and by the time the pond is empty, it may be too late to plant.

Concept 5:

The infiltration gallery option I believe to be a very expensive and problematic alternative. Many of these systems have been installed in urban environments on private lands (shopping mall parking lots) but I do not know of any that have been constructed in a municipal right of way. Some of these systems have also failed (collapsed) which is likely not a risk the municipality is willing to accept. Cost for this option is significant in the range of $350 to $500 per cubic meter of storage. What is the volume proposed for this alternative? Is it the same as the pond volume (6900 cubic meters) outlined in Option 4? That is a very expensive infiltration gallery.

I have not provided solutions but identified concerns in my comments. There is not a best solution to this issue since all concepts present a balance of good and bad issues.

I believe the solution needs to be closer to the source of the issue (proactive) rather than father away (reactive) as the benefits of the solution will be more effective. This has been the objective of all the Low Impact Development initiatives over the past 10 years.

In the last 20 years (or more likely 40 years) very little has changed physically on the Bruce Beach Road that would cause the flooding currently experienced. If the changes have occurred elsewhere then the solutions should be implemented elsewhere.

These comments are not intended to be confrontational, since DEL is likely an expert in the Drainage Act - but only to raise concerns and questions that require answers.

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