Watershed, River Engineering and Erosion Assessments

Developed with Water's Edge Environmental Solutions Team Ltd., a structure inventory and ranking system for the assessment of 10 Creek systems throughout the City of Burlington. Indicators such as personal safety, risk of Damage to Property, structures, river and slope stability, fluvial processes, material condition and performance, environmental factors were included in the evaluation process. A series of site inspection forms were developed along with the identification of critical areas, to rank and prioritize the various areas. The fluvial and erosion assessments will identify the priority areas of concern and allow the City of Burlington to apply proper management for specific priority sites within the individual creek areas.

River assessment and implementation of erosion control program for 9 years at the Toronto & Region Conservation Authority. Carried out the following; identified problem areas, constraints, provided technical assessment, site inspection and survey, budget requirements, recommend studies and/or solutions. Once project requirements were identified, prepared Terms of Reference, call for proposals, evaluation of proposals, made consultant selection, carried out Class environmental assessments, conducted public meetings, open houses and managed projects.

Project management and on site construction engineer for numerous river and creek erosion control works. Included in these works were the river construction and geotechnical slope stability aspects of the site management and construction supervision.

Criteria design, feasibility assessment and development of Watershed Management Strategies. Major issues were the following.

Water & soil natural processes: Surface, groundwater, hydrology, hydraulics & storm water management. Bank erosion, sediment transport processes and slope stability.

Environmental Issues (e.g., terrestrial and aquatic habitat protection and enhancement, effect of substrate and sediment transport on habitat, connections and linkages increasing ecosystem function)

Tourism & Recreation objectives (e.g., camping, marina expansion, swimming, canoeing, fishing, biking, hiking)

Public Use Strategies (e.g., handicapped access, passive use [natural trails, hiking, bird watching] vs active use [paved trails, biking, roller blading,] private vs public yacht clubs)

Natural & Cultural Heritage (e.g., ANSI, historical buildings, environmentally significant features, archeological sites both in water and on land)

Social and Economic Issues (e.g., eco-tourism, downtown revitalization, recreation programs for youth, theatre needs)

Task Force member involved in the development of the Duffins and Carruthers Creek Watershed Strategies. The development of the Duffins Watershed Strategy went through an extensive, multi-year process with the Communities, Regional Governments, Municipalities, Environmental Groups, Government Agencies (Ministry of Ontario Environment, Ministry of Transportation of Ontario, Ministry of Natural Resources, and Transport Canada), developers, agricultural community, aggregate industry, residents and private agencies (Golfing Industry) involved throughout the Region of Durham. The Strategy was an innovative project which brought all groups of interest together for the development of a unique watershed strategy which is a ‘living’, ‘hands on’, practical document for all agencies.

Carried out a waterfront strategy feasibility study along two river systems (Madawaska and Ottawa rivers). Identification of the needs for the development of a strategy included; natural processes, environmental issues, planning options, tourism, and recreation, natural and cultural heritage, social and economic.

Developed the Provincial Hazards Technical Manual and Guide for River Systems. River processes and slope stability processes were assessed and identified. Methods were developed to evaluate and identify the key physical processes which occur in natural river/stream systems and a procedure was developed to determine setbacks which will address the physical hazards.

Determined and addressed the technical aspects associated with erosion and migration rates of rivers, meandering of river systems, various soil conditions and flows. Developed a landform classification system and a process to relate the physical landforms with criteria for the assessment of river and stream erosion as it relates to the application of the Provincial Erosion Hazard Policy.

Member of a team of intergovernmental agencies, private and public technical experts. The team ensured that linkages, integration and continuity between natural channel, storm water management and natural hazards documents and the various agencies for the Adaptive Management of Stream Corridors in Ontario report were maintained.