A Watershed for Life
The Need for Change! The Lake Simcoe story
Steve Auger – SWM Specialist
May 22, 2015
Proud winner of the International Thiess Riverprize Member of Conservation Ontario Need for Change: Current SWM Practices
• Since 1995, SWM requirements have often stipulated new development needs to meet: • pre-development peak flow conditions; and • Enhanced Protection reduction of average TSS removal quality targets.
Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority A Watershed for Life Need for Change: Current SWM Practices
• Despite this the health and quality of many urban rivers and streams continues to decline.
• In 2010 a study was conducted to answer the question: Are stormwater ponds working?
Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority A Watershed for Life Are Stormwater Ponds Working? Maintenance • Lack of pond maintenance decreases the available storage volume increasing the risk of flooding.
• 56 of the 98 ponds require maintenance at an estimated cost of $18.5 million.
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Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority A Watershed for Life Nutrient Attenuation Anoxic Nutrient Release • Lack of maintenance • Under low oxygen soluble results in 1.1 T/y loading phosphorus can be released increase, 1.5% of total from the sediment turning annual phosphorus load. stormwater ponds into nutrient sources.
8 40
7 35
6 30
5 25
4 20
3 15
2 10
DO (mg/L) DO 1 5
0 0
Chlorophyll (ug/L) Chlorophyll
1-Jul 3-Jul 5-Jul 7-Jul 9-Jul
27-Jun 29-Jun
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Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority A Watershed for Life Are Stormwater Ponds Working? Groundwater Recharge • Increased impervious area and conventional stormwater end of pipe BMP’s reduces groundwater recharge. • Water balance for the site is not being maintained potentially impacting aquatic habitat and future potable water supplies.
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Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority A Watershed for Life A Closer Look…
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Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority A Watershed for Life Tale of Two Rivers
Aurora
Ballantrae
Musselman Lake
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Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority A Watershed for Life Tale of Two Rivers
0.06 Tannery Creek - (Urban)
East Holland River at Vandorf 0.05 (Rural)
Storm Event 0.04
0.03 River Flow River
0.02
0.01
0.00 10-19-2010 10-21-2010 10-23-2010 10-25-2010 10-27-2010 10-29-2010 10-31-2010 Date 9
Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority A Watershed for Life Are Stormwater Ponds Working? Geomorphic Impacts • Increased runoff volume and flow duration is resulting
in increased streambank erosion and sedimentation. Flow
Time
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Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority A Watershed for Life Future Growth within the Lake Simcoe Watershed
Existing urban area 2010 = 22,793 ha Future urban area at 2031 = 35,028 ha Total Change in the Watershed = 12,235 ha
Source: Berger Assimilative Capacity Report (2010)
Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority A Watershed for Life The Need for Change • Can we achieve our water quality, quantity and aquatic targets and accommodate new urban growth? No! Change is necessary…. • More green infrastructure: Low Impact Development. • New policy, regulation and enforcement. • Explore other end-of-pipe controls.
Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority A Watershed for Life Legislative support - Municipalities are to develop policies that encourage a treatment train approach to stormwater (Policy 4.7)
- All major developments require a stormwater plan that uses an integrated treatment train approach (Policy 4.8)
- The MOECC and LSRCA will promote, conduct, and support scientific research on the effectiveness of the treatment train approach to stormwater management (Policy 4.23)
- The MOECC will review standards and best management practices for site-level stormwater control (Policy 8.11)
13 Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority A Watershed for Life Where to Start? (MIDS)MIDS
Acts
Lake Simcoe Protection Plan
Policies
Bylaws
Guidelines
Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority A Watershed for Life MIDS Adaption to ON
Minimal Impact Design Standards Ontario translation (MIDS) (Preliminary thoughts) Key Items for LID SWM Ontario Where we are going Practical ‘MIDS Adoption in Ontario’ . Requirements . Criteria (LID SWM) . Municipal and CA Guidelines Design Storms . Conditions of Draft Plan Approval (Post to Predev., Infiltration) . Tools . Design Standards (Dwgs,Specs) . Municipal and CA Standard Design Beta LID Workshop Tool . Appropriate LID Modeling drawings BMPs Summary Sheets . Tool (Model) Useful?
. LID SWM Credits . Consideration for LID SWM Credit . SWM Utility Fees . Phosphorus Off-Setting . Quantity Control . Inspection and Evaluation . LID SWM is constructed properly . Conditions of Draft Plan Approval and will operate effectively Interim as-built certification for LID SWM features(s) Securities withheld until certification is complete
. Enforcement . Enforcement . Site Plan Alterations Enforcement (Municipal) Securities withheld and/or fines Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority A Watershed for Life Low Impact Development Education and Outreach
LID Municipal Implementation Support Workshops / LID Prioritization Design Charrettes Pre-submission consultation Funding opportunities (LEAP, CNSRVs, RainScaping)
Private / Stakeholder Support Design Charrettes Pre-submission consultation Funding opportunities (ICI Grant Category)
Public Outreach Neighbourhood Consultation Public Information Sessions / Centres
Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority A Watershed for Life Low Impact Development Municipal Demonstration Projects • Aurora (Aurora Community Centre) • East Gwillimbury (Sharon Boulevard) • Newmarket (Woodland Court and Forest Glen Rd) • Innisfil (Fire Hall) • Barrie (Sunnidale Park) • Uxbridge (Ice Arena) • Bradford West Gwillimbury (Drury and Mary Street Car Park) • Georgina (Ice Palace) Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority A Watershed for Life Thank you… Q & A, Comments, and other input…
Source of Photos: TL - CVC/TRCA; C – Steve Auger, UofGuelph –USED / SOE; TR - LSRCA ; BL - CVC/TRCA; BR - Schollen & Co. Inc.
Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority A Watershed for Life