COFFER DAM REMOVAL BEGINS ON JACKSON CREEK

MOVE IS PART OF LONG-AWAITED JACKSON CREEK FLOOD REDUCTION THAT INCLUDES BETHUNE STREET RECONSTRUCTION

The City took a major step toward its planned Jackson Creek Flood Reduction project on Monday (March 20) as workers used a crane to begin removing sections of the coffer dam in front of a new flood spillway off Stewart Street.

In July, 2004, Peterborough was hit by a severe rainfall event that caused significant flood damage. Shortly after the flood, the City retained an engineering firm to investigate the causes and determine measures to improve the operation of the drainage system and reduce the risk of damage from future flooding.

In 2016, council approved a plan that would change the streetscape from Bethune Street to Dublin Street, and at the same time address potential flooding issues along

the same route.

A study was completed in December 2014 that had recommended the construction of a large, buried storm sewer connecting Jackson Creek to the Otonabee River to divert high flows in Jackson Creek, thereby mitigating potential flood damage around the downtown core.

It said the placement of a large new storm sewer under Bethune Street would divert huge amounts of water alleviating the burden on the area's aging linear infrastructure allowing the corridor's existing homes, businesses, and historic assets to be protected.

JUST THE FACTS:

• In just over 24 hours, up to 240 mm of rain fell on the city during the 2004 flood with 150 mm of rain being recorded in only two hours. Flood damage was reportedly more than $100 million in direct physical damages to private and public property.

• The new 1,600-metrelong box culvert sewer connects Jackson Creek, north of Brock Street, to Townsend Street following the Bethune Street right-ofway to Townsend Street and then to the Otonabee River. Flow constraints from Jackson Creek running under George Street will be removed.