On the Flood related work in the Region page you saw how much is already being done to make Durham more resilient to flooding. You can learn more from a few case studies for flood resilience below.
Using Low Impact Development for Flood Resilience at UOIT
The University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) in north Oshawa is located near the Oshawa Creek ravine. The site was designed with several Low Impact Development (LID) technologies including bioretention, linear wetlands, green roofs, and rainwater harvesting, all designed to reduce runoff volumes and pollutant loads to the adjacent ravine. The LID features also helped to improve the campus' aesthetics and passively promote green initiatives.
You can learn more about the LID features by clicking the photo to read a short case study prepared by the Sustainable Technologies Evaluation Program.
Town of Ajax Rain Gardens Retrofit
In 2014, the Town of Ajax constructed three bioretention areas. The rain gardens are designed to provide effective water quantity management and improve the water quality by intercepting and treating stormwater runoff, all while enhancing and complimenting the surrounding neighbourhood.
You can learn more about the project by clicking the photo to read a short case study prepared by the Sustainable Technologies Evaluation Program.
The Ganaraska Forest Centre
The Ganaraska Forest Centre is a multi-use facility located in the heart of the 11,000-acre Ganaraska Forest. The Centre is owned and operated by Ganaraska Conservation and has an emphasis on watershed management and outdoor education. The Ganaraska Forest Centre adheres to a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) system of construction and incorporates environmentally friendly wood species, green roof areas, solar energy, recycled roof tiles, and other materials made of recycled rubber, wood, and ceramics; all to demonstrate Ganaraska Conservation Authority's leadership in solid conservation strategies. When you visit the Centre, look for the infiltration trench and rainwater collection systems to learn more about how these systems can be used to get Flood Ready.
Rouge Beach Improvements Project in Rouge National Urban Park
Rouge National Urban Park is North America's largest urban park. Parks Canada is currently undertaking a project to revitalize the Beach Day Use Area and develop new trails. As part of this project, extensive public engagement was undertaken. This project has included emphasis on climate change, flooding, and erosion and is an excellent example of steps currently being taken in the Region to get flood ready. The objectives of the project are to:
- Mitigate the impacts of climate change, flooding and erosion;
- Improve safety, inclusivity, stewardship and connectivity for all visitors and residents;
- Restore ecosystems and improve ecological integrity;
- Respect the rights of neighbouring residential communities.
Infrastructure enhancements will improve the natural environment by addressing climate change, flooding, erosion, species-at-risk, invasive species, and ecological restoration. Improvements will also provide safe visitor access to the waterfront trail areas to create better connections and access to nature in Region of Durham.
Learn more about the Rouge Beach Improvements Project
Learn more about shoreline remediation work at Rouge Beach
Learn more about climate change at Rouge National Urban Park
Clarington Flooding Preparedness Guide
In 2017, Clarington experienced heavy flooding due to high water levels on Lake Ontario. After these events, the municipality and Clarington residents mobilized to create more resources and tools to better prepare for the next flood. One resource was the Flooding Preparedness Guide, released in 2019.
This Guide includes information on:
- How to interpret and monitor Flood Forecasting
- Where to access emergency resources
- Understanding flood risks in Clarington
- How to contact conservation authorities
- How to prepare for a flood:
- Before
- During
- After
