Restoring Local Creeks: North Strasburg Creek
We are changing North Strasburg Creek to restore its natural flow and reduce erosion. The creek is currently lined with concrete between McIntyre Place and Strasburg Road. We will remove the concrete lining and replace it with natural materials.
The City of Kitchener has hired Aquafor Beech Limited, an engineering consulting firm, to restore this section of the creek. We are designing a solution that:
- Reduces future flood risks,
- Protects and improves water quality,
- Addresses erosion,
- Restores habitat for fish, amphibians, and birds, and
- Protects infrastructure near the creek
These changes will support the brook trout and other diverse species in North Strasburg Creek. Brook trout is a species of fish found in more sensitive cold-water creek systems. They are rare in Kitchener. Though North Strasburg is not a cold-water creek, we manage it as if it is to protect the cold-water species that live there. We have already improved three stormwater ponds along this creek’s path to help with cooling, water quality and flood risk. This project will further our work to protect and restore this important creek.
For more information on this project, please read the project background and the Frequently Asked Questions.
Construction is expected to take place in 2025.
Stay Informed
If you have any questions or comments about the project, please use the Questions tool or contact the project team.
Subscribe for updates and be the first to know about news and information about this project. Add your email to the Stay Informed box on this page and click ‘Subscribe’.
We are changing North Strasburg Creek to restore its natural flow and reduce erosion. The creek is currently lined with concrete between McIntyre Place and Strasburg Road. We will remove the concrete lining and replace it with natural materials.
The City of Kitchener has hired Aquafor Beech Limited, an engineering consulting firm, to restore this section of the creek. We are designing a solution that:
- Reduces future flood risks,
- Protects and improves water quality,
- Addresses erosion,
- Restores habitat for fish, amphibians, and birds, and
- Protects infrastructure near the creek
These changes will support the brook trout and other diverse species in North Strasburg Creek. Brook trout is a species of fish found in more sensitive cold-water creek systems. They are rare in Kitchener. Though North Strasburg is not a cold-water creek, we manage it as if it is to protect the cold-water species that live there. We have already improved three stormwater ponds along this creek’s path to help with cooling, water quality and flood risk. This project will further our work to protect and restore this important creek.
For more information on this project, please read the project background and the Frequently Asked Questions.
Construction is expected to take place in 2025.
Stay Informed
If you have any questions or comments about the project, please use the Questions tool or contact the project team.
Subscribe for updates and be the first to know about news and information about this project. Add your email to the Stay Informed box on this page and click ‘Subscribe’.
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Virtual Open House now available!
Share Virtual Open House now available! on Facebook Share Virtual Open House now available! on Twitter Share Virtual Open House now available! on Linkedin Email Virtual Open House now available! linkThe virtual open house with information about upcoming changes to North Strasburg Creek is now available! Watch the pre-recorded presentation or view the presentation boards to learn more about the project and the final design.
Share your feedback by emailing your comments and questions to StrasburgCreek@kitchener.ca.
From Nov. 29 to Dec. 6 we will respond to your emails within two days. After that, we will still respond, but it may take a little longer to hear back. We would love to hear from you!
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Virtual open house available Nov. 29
Share Virtual open house available Nov. 29 on Facebook Share Virtual open house available Nov. 29 on Twitter Share Virtual open house available Nov. 29 on Linkedin Email Virtual open house available Nov. 29 linkWe are hosting a virtual open house to talk about upcoming changes to North Strasburg Creek. We want to hear from you! We invite you to participate by watching a pre-recorded presentation. The video will feature project information and the details about the final design.
The presentation will be posted on November 29, 2024. Staff and consultants will be available to respond to questions promptly from November 29 to December 6.
Share your feedback by emailing your comments and questions to StrasburgCreek@kitchener.ca. Your feedback is highly welcome and valued.
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One week left to give your feedback!
Share One week left to give your feedback! on Facebook Share One week left to give your feedback! on Twitter Share One week left to give your feedback! on Linkedin Email One week left to give your feedback! linkThank you again to everyone who participated in our virtual open house.
There is one more week to share your comments and questions. Email us at StrasburgCreek@kitchener.ca or submit your questions to the project page until July 22, 2024.
The virtual open house pre-recorded presentation is still available for your review.
The presentation boards are also available from our online virtual open house.
We would love to hear from you!
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Share your feedback by July 22
Share Share your feedback by July 22 on Facebook Share Share your feedback by July 22 on Twitter Share Share your feedback by July 22 on Linkedin Email Share your feedback by July 22 linkThank you to everyone who has provided feedback and joined our open house online. The virtual open house pre-recorded presentation is still available and will remain posted for the duration of the study.
The presentation boards are also available from our online virtual open house.
Share your feedback by emailing your comments and questions to StrasburgCreek@kitchener.ca or by submitting questions to the project page until July 22, 2024.
We would love to hear from you!
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Virtual open house now available, comment until July 22
Share Virtual open house now available, comment until July 22 on Facebook Share Virtual open house now available, comment until July 22 on Twitter Share Virtual open house now available, comment until July 22 on Linkedin Email Virtual open house now available, comment until July 22 linkWe’re restoring part of North Strasburg Creek to improve water quality and reduce flood risks.
Instead of hosting an open house in-person, we invite you to take part by watching a pre-recorded presentation. The presentation gives an overview of the project and the proposed final design. You can also view the presentation boards.
Your feedback is welcomed and valued. Share your feedback by emailing us your comments and questions to StrasburgCreek@kitchener.ca. You can also submit questions through the Questions tool.
We can accept feedback until July 22, 2024. The presentation will remain available for the duration of the study.
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Virtual open house starts June 24
Share Virtual open house starts June 24 on Facebook Share Virtual open house starts June 24 on Twitter Share Virtual open house starts June 24 on Linkedin Email Virtual open house starts June 24 linkWe invite you to take part in our upcoming virtual open house.
Watch a pre-recorded presentation featuring a project overview and the proposed final design then email us your comments. The presentation will be posted on this page on June 24, 2024, and the link will remain active for the duration of the study. To be included in this stage of the design process, you'll need to send your comments no later than July 22, 2024.
Your feedback is highly welcome and valued. Email your comments and questions to StrasburgCreek@kitchener.ca
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Open house materials available, share your feedback
Share Open house materials available, share your feedback on Facebook Share Open house materials available, share your feedback on Twitter Share Open house materials available, share your feedback on Linkedin Email Open house materials available, share your feedback linkThank you to everyone who attended our Virtual Open House on April 4. Check out the presentation materials and tell us what you think! The presentation materials include:
- Project background and timeline
- Three alternative solutions for channel design
- Evaluation criteria that will be used to assess the alternatives
Whether you attended the open house or not, we want your feedback through our online survey. Please fill out our survey so we can hear what you think about the design options.
The survey closes May 3, and we would love to hear from you!
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Join the Virtual Open House on Apr. 4
Share Join the Virtual Open House on Apr. 4 on Facebook Share Join the Virtual Open House on Apr. 4 on Twitter Share Join the Virtual Open House on Apr. 4 on Linkedin Email Join the Virtual Open House on Apr. 4 linkThe City of Kitchener is hosting a live virtual open house. Staff and consultants will present proposed designs for restoring North Strasburg Creek. We want to hear from you!
When: Thursday, Apr. 4 at 6:30 p.m.
Where: Via Zoom. You must register for the Zoom meeting to receive the direct link and Meeting ID.
Alternate formats, communication supports, and accommodations are also available. If you require an accessible document or support to participate in this event, please inform Michaela Jennings at StrasburgCreek@kitchener.ca or 519-741-2600 x 4057 (TTY:1-866-969-9994)/
How To Join
Online
Register for the meeting any time before the start of the meeting
You will receive a meeting link from Zoom once you register and will automatically be reminded by email about the event.
You may join the meeting as early as 15 minutes before it is scheduled to start.
You can still attend the meeting after it starts. You will still be required to register to receive the meeting link to join.
By Phone
You do not need to register in advance if you join by a traditional phone call. Joining this way will only allow you to hear the meeting, you will not be able to view the presentation.
To join by phone call +1 647 374 4685 followed by the webinar ID 642 1558 1878.
You will be admitted to the meeting when it is scheduled to start.
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Project background
Share Project background on Facebook Share Project background on Twitter Share Project background on Linkedin Email Project background linkIn 2016, the City of Kitchener Council approved a stormwater master plan. This plan created a strategy to manage stormwater for the next 15 years. This plan showed us that only 25 percent of runoff in the city is managed through stormwater facilities. This means that 75 percent of runoff from heavy rainfall and snow melt flows into storm sewers, contaminating local creeks.
The master plan identified initial concepts for the installation of projects across Kitchener. We consulted city-wide on the stormwater master plan. That consultation met the needs of the master plan. But as we look closer at specific projects, we need to consult further with the community.
The Government of Canada awarded us nearly $50 million through the Disaster Mitigation Adaptation Fund. Access to this funding means we can make stormwater improvements at a reduced cost to the community. And we can do this much sooner than possible without the funding. We need to comply with funding requirements, which places an extra constraint on these projects.
Follow Project
Lifecycle
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Field assessments and monitoring
Restoring Local Creeks: North Strasburg Creek has finished this stageWe are doing background work to better understand the park's conditions. Please subscribe for updates.
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Design consultation
Restoring Local Creeks: North Strasburg Creek has finished this stageWe are looking for your questions and comments in response to the initial design concept for the creek.
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Under review
Restoring Local Creeks: North Strasburg Creek has finished this stageConsultation is closed while we review your feedback. The project team will prepare the final design.
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Design complete
Restoring Local Creeks: North Strasburg Creek is currently at this stageThe final design is documented on this page and you can learn more at our open house or on this page.
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Under construction
this is an upcoming stage for Restoring Local Creeks: North Strasburg CreekConstruction is now underway.
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Construction finished
this is an upcoming stage for Restoring Local Creeks: North Strasburg CreekThis project is now complete.
Key Dates
FAQs
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Project Questions
- Why is this project important?
- What are the supporting studies that led to this project, and are they available for public review?
- How will this project address invasive species, and native species?
- What can I do to support the health of the watershed on my property?
- What does a typical creek restoration project design look like
- How will this creek restoration affect my property taxes?
- Engagement Questions
Who's Listening
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Phone 519-741-2345 (TTY:1-866-969-9994) Email sarah.anderson@kitchener.ca -
Design and Construction Project Manager (Sanitary and Stormwater)
(TTY:1-866-969-9994)
Phone 519-741-2345 Email StrasburgCreek@kitchener.ca
Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund
This project is funded in part by the Government of Canada. For more information about the City of Kitchener's partnership with the Government of Canada through the Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund, visit kitchener.ca/Stormwater
Free landscaping consultation
Our partner Reep Green Solutions can help you beautify your yard while reducing runoff to Schneider Creek. Find out if you qualify for a free, on-site consultation with a landscape designer. Visit Rain Smart Neighbourhoods reepgreen.ca/rain-smart