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Brantford Ice Jam Mitigation Feasibility Study - Project Overview
We are undertaking a feasibility study to investigate methods to reduce ice jam potential on the Grand River in Brantford. The study is being carried out in partnership with the City of Brantford and Ecosystem Recovery Inc. has been retained as the study consultant.
In February 2018, a major ice jam set in place in Brantford on the Grand River in the area of Gilkison Flats. The ice jam and flood resulted in overtopping and circumventing flood protection along portions of the dike system through the central portion of the City. The event required evacuation of thousands of residents, caused extensive damages and cost to private holdings and public infrastructure, and required extensive emergency service operations from agencies.
The Gilkison Flats reach of the Grand River has a history of ice jam occurrences and a major ice jam with similar conditions occurred in 1996. An Ice Jam Study was completed by KGS Group for the GRCA following the 2018 ice jam. The study documented the technical aspects of the ice jam and identified a number of mitigation options at a high level.
We have retained Ecosystem Recovery Incorporated to carry out an ice jam mitigation feasibility study in partnership with the City of Brantford. The intent of this feasibility study is to further develop concepts and costs for potential mitigation options, as well as identifying implementation considerations, which would be addressed in a future environmental assessment.
The objectives of the proposed study are to:
- Develop and refine a list of potential mitigation options for ice jams.
- Determine flood damage costs for overtopping or failure of the dike and damages avoided by maintaining the dike system through Brantford.
- Carry out public consultation regarding the ice jam event and mitigation options.
- Develop design concepts for select mitigation options and preliminary costing.
- Facilitate discussions and make recommendations for mitigation measures to be advanced or eliminated from further consideration.
Public Information Centres (PICs)
A key component of the study will be consultation with interested stakeholders (public, landowners and agencies). The intent of this feasibility study is to lay the groundwork for future Environmental Assessment (EA) studies to further evaluate alternatives and select a preferred management strategy.
| PIC #1 - Notice of Commencement and Virtual Public Information Centre |
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Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the GRCA is hosting a virtual Public Information Centre (PIC). This PIC is to share information with interested community members, to inform and identify priorities and interests that should be considered in project planning and execution. Please note the following documents may not be accessible to people with disabilities. If you have a disability and require a document in an alternate format, please contact us. |
| PIC #2 - Results of Work |
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We want to hear from you
We are requesting public input and comments. If you wish to submit comments, please fill out a comment sheet (394KB PDF) and submit it using one of the following methods:
By Email: brantfordicestudy@grandriver.ca
Gus Rungis, Senior Engineer, GRCA or Chris Moon, Senior Project Manager, Ecosystem Recovery Inc.
By Mail:
Grand River Conservation Authority
Attention: Gus Rungis
400 Clyde Road, PO Box 729
Cambridge, Ontario N1R 5W6
Background Information
Please note the following documents may not be accessible to people with disabilities. If you have a disability and require a document in an alternate format, please contact us.
- GRCA Ice Jam Study Presentation to Board (April 2020) (2.8MB PDF)
- KGS Ice Jam Study Presentation (2019) (5.0MB PDF)
