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Keats Way: Tributary Channel to Clair Creek restoration & storm sewer bypass

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Keats Way Storm Sewer Bypass Installation (Keats/Karen Walk to Clair Creek) and Restoration of Tributary Channel to Clair Creek

In 2020 the City of Waterloo completed the Stormwater Management (SWM) Master Plan. As part of this process a tributary channel to Clair Creek beginning near Keats Way and Keats Walk and ending at Clair Creek near McDougall Road was identified as a priority area for erosion control and bank stabilization, especially with respect to failing gabion walls (wire mesh baskets filled with rocks). The rehabilitation and stabilization of the channel’s bank will reduce the risk of further erosion and bank failure that would result in flooding and damage to private property in this area.

In addition to the need for bank stabilization, the SWM Master Plan also identified a need for a new storm sewer along Keats Way that will allow a portion of the stormwater flow to bypass the channel and discharge directly into Clair Creek at the concrete box culvert that conveys Clair Creek under Keats Way. This bypass sewer will lessen the peak flows of stormwater in the tributary channel that has resulted in frequent rear yard flooding of adjacent properties.

If you have any questions our project team is happy to take them.

Keats Way Storm Sewer Bypass Installation (Keats/Karen Walk to Clair Creek) and Restoration of Tributary Channel to Clair Creek

In 2020 the City of Waterloo completed the Stormwater Management (SWM) Master Plan. As part of this process a tributary channel to Clair Creek beginning near Keats Way and Keats Walk and ending at Clair Creek near McDougall Road was identified as a priority area for erosion control and bank stabilization, especially with respect to failing gabion walls (wire mesh baskets filled with rocks). The rehabilitation and stabilization of the channel’s bank will reduce the risk of further erosion and bank failure that would result in flooding and damage to private property in this area.

In addition to the need for bank stabilization, the SWM Master Plan also identified a need for a new storm sewer along Keats Way that will allow a portion of the stormwater flow to bypass the channel and discharge directly into Clair Creek at the concrete box culvert that conveys Clair Creek under Keats Way. This bypass sewer will lessen the peak flows of stormwater in the tributary channel that has resulted in frequent rear yard flooding of adjacent properties.

If you have any questions our project team is happy to take them.

  • Project update December 2021

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    Thank you to everyone who took the time to complete the survey regarding Clair Creek and the nearby properties. This information will be very helpful to the project team as we move forward. The City of Waterloo is now working with AECOM as the consultant on this project. AECOM will be responsible for the project site investigations, engineering analysis and detailed design work. More information on these stages, as well as a project contact from AECOM will be provided once available. In the meantime, if you have any questions, you can continue to reach out to our city project contacts.

    During the course of this project, city staff and our consultants and contractors may need to enter onto private property to conduct a number of tasks related to the design and construction of the creek restoration. Access will always be through properties that currently contain an easement, and properties with an easement have been contacted via mail.

  • Project background

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    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.


Page last updated: 17 Dec 2024, 01:40 PM