Project background

The background work for this project was part of the city's Stormwater Management (SWM) Master Plan study. Public consultation for the study happened throughout 2017 and 2018, and the plan was completed in 2020. The plan is a very large document, and has been split into several sections on the city's website to help make it more accessible.

The part of the SWM Master Plan that relates to this project can be found on page 215:

12.4.2.7 Clair Creek Tributary 1, Site CLR-T1-E1 The preferred alternative at this site is full channel restoration. The existing gabion baskets will be removed and replaced with armourstone walls.

Gabion baskets are the metal baskets filled with rocks, and they are more prone to shifting and movement than armourstone, which are large, solid rectangular chunks of rock.

A creek lined with rock walls in a warped, slumping metal cage to form the creek bank. The bank and nearby building looks unstable due to the warped rock containment.

Creek bank gabion basket

While this replacement will help prevent the further risk of erosion and help to protect the creek bank and nearby properties, another concern with this section of Clair Creek is flooding. In the full erosion report included as Appendix L for the study, the portion related to this project also notes:

City to consider additional hydraulic study at erosion site CLR-T1-E1 to investigate flow diversion options through storm sewer for alleviating future flood and erosion risks.

As part of the work on Clair Creek at Keats Way, the project team will evaluate the option for putting in a storm sewer bypass along Keats Way to help manage peak waterflow in the creek, and reduce the risk of flooding. This will be evaluated during the design stage of the project.