Cartographie et études

Wetlands are the most biologically diverse kind of ecosystem, as they support both aquatic and terrestrial plant and wildlife species. These ecosystems provide a range of benefits, such as flood management, water quality improvement, groundwater replenishment and climate resilience, as well as recreation and economic opportunities, such as for timber, hunting and fishing.

Conservation Halton uses wetland mapping to identify potential wetlands and to determine if a property may be regulated by Conservation Halton. Conservation Halton regulates all watercourses, valleylands, wetlands, Lake Ontario and Burlington Bay shoreline, and hazardous lands, as well as lands adjacent to these features. Up-to-date mapping supports the delivery of our regulatory and planning programs and helps ensure wetlands are protected.

A report was brought to the Conservation Halton Board of Directors on June 23, 2022. The engagement period began July 13, 2022 and closed on September 13, 2022.

The following are next steps that will be taken for this project:

• Staff is currently reviewing all comments received and is making edits to the mapping, where necessary.
• Where requested, staff is completing site visits to ground truth the mapping.
• Final draft mapping will be taken to the Board of Directors for approval in the new year.

Updates to the Regulatory Status of Lower Rambo Creek

The City of Burlington recently completed a Phase 1 Flood Hazard and Scoped Stormwater Management Assessment for downtown Burlington and the Burlington GO Major Transit Station Area (MTSA). The Phase 1 study revealed a flood hazard in the Lower Rambo watershed that is greater than previously understood. A Phase 2 study is currently underway to further refine the flood hazard mapping, but the Phase 1 study is considered the best available information for decision making when development is contemplated in hazardous areas.

Under Ontario Regulation 162/06, Conservation Halton regulates all watercourses, valleylands, wetlands, Lake Ontario and Burlington Bay shoreline, and hazardous lands, as well as lands adjacent to these features. The purpose of the regulation is to protect people and property from the risks associated with natural hazards and to prevent worsening of existing hazards or the creation of new hazards. Conservation Halton’s regulation now applies to identified flood (i.e., floodplain and spill areas) and erosion hazards, as well as a 7.5 metre regulatory allowance, in the Lower Rambo Creek watershed. Permission is required from Conservation Halton to develop in these areas.

For more information about Phase 1 or Phase 2, please contact City of Burlington staff.

Conservation Halton (CH) is updating flood hazard mapping for Tuck, Shoreacres, Appleby, and Sheldon Creeks in your community.

Flood hazard mapping is an important tool that supports CH’s regulatory, planning and flood forecasting and warning programs, as well as municipal emergency management, flood mitigation, and infrastructure design.  Advances in technology allow us to understand flood risks and develop better flood hazard mapping.

Flood hazards include floodplains and spills.  A floodplain is an area of land that is flooded with water by a nearby creek or lake during large storms. Spills occur when flood waters leave the valley and floodplain and “spill” into surrounding lands, rejoining the watercourse at a distance downstream or moving into another watershed.

One of CH’s top priorities is to protect life and property from natural hazards and updating hazard mapping is one of the ways we do that.

In 2021, CH retained the engineering consulting firm WSP, to update the flood hazard modelling and mapping for Tuck, Shoreacres, Appleby and Sheldon Creeks which cross through parts of east Burlington and southwest Oakville (referred to as ‘East Burlington Creeks Flood Hazard Mapping Study’).  Updated mapping and modelling provides CH, municipalities, the public, and stakeholders with a current understanding of the magnitude and extent of riverine flood hazards in this area.   The study also provides background information and technical details about how the riverine flood hazard modelling and mapping was updated.

In Octobre 2021, CH hosted a public engagement session to provide notification of study commencement and provide an opportunity for property owners, residents, and other stakeholders to ask questions and share feedback.

Public Engagement Session #2

To learn more about the study and updated draft flood hazard mapping, you are invited to join us for a virtual public engagement session on June 6, 2023 at 7:00pm.  This is an opportunity for those looking for further information to learn more and ask questions.  To register for the virtual public engagement session, please click here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_sl19iHNURcerow1W3mK8PQ

If you are unable to join us, draft mapping and reports, as well as a recording of the public engagement session, will be available online for comment until July 6, 2023.  CH will review all feedback and make any necessary revisions to the draft flood hazard mapping.  It is anticipated that the final draft mapping and study will be presented to CH’s Board of Directors for their approval and inclusion in CH’s Approximate Regulation Limit (ARL) mapping later this year.

Should you have any questions about the study or upcoming Public Engagement Session #2, please contact us via email at floodplainmapping@hrca.on.ca or call (905) 336-1158 ext. 2296.

Information will be collected in accordance with the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. With the exception of personal information, all comments will become part of the public record.

Conservation Halton has retained consulting and engineering company, Greck and Associates, to update flood hazard mapping and modelling for the West Branch of Sixteen Mile Creek in the Town of Milton. Advances in technology allows us to better understand flood hazards and to develop more accurate floodplain mapping. One of Conservation Halton’s top priorities is to protect life and property from natural hazards and updating flood hazard mapping is one of the ways we do that. An important part of the process of updating flood hazard mapping is to inform and engage with residents and other stakeholders in the study area.

Flood hazard mapping is used by Conservation Halton and municipal partners to identify areas that may be susceptible to riverine or shoreline flooding, and to inform flood forecasting, emergency response, community planning, infrastructure upgrades and other flood prevention efforts. Flood hazards include floodplains and spills.  A floodplain is an area of land that is flooded by a nearby creek or lake during large storms. Spills occur when flood waters leave the valley and floodplain and “spill” into surrounding lands, rejoining the watercourse at a distance downstream or moving into another watershed.

Conservation Halton hosted the second public engagement session for the Urban Milton Flood Hazard Mapping Study in March 2020. A summary of the study and draft mapping presented at that time can be found here: Urban Milton Flood Hazard Mapping.

Public Engagement Session 3

To learn more about the Urban Milton Flood Hazard Mapping Study and updated draft flood hazard mapping, Conservation Halton staff held a virtual public engagement session on February 22, 2023.

(You can also click here to download the presentation slides.)

Information will be collected in accordance with the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. With the exception of personal information, all comments will become public record.