Stormwater Management Facility Improvements

Stormwater ponds help reduce possible flooding caused by rain, protect the natural environment and surrounding lakes and rivers from contaminants and pollutants, and create a natural habitat for wildlife. The City of Vaughan is committed to keep these ponds functioning through the Stormwater Management Facility Improvements Program. Currently, infrastructure improvements are underway at various stormwater pond locations across the city.

Two virtual sessions were hosted in March for citizens to learn more about four upcoming stormwater pond projects, including proposed work, design options, construction impacts, benefits and timelines.

The virtual sessions were held on Wednesday, March 30 and Thursday, March 31. The Public Information Center (PIC) presentation slides, comment sheets and questionnaires can be found under the "Newsletters and Notices" section.

 

What is a stormwater management facility?

A stormwater management facility reduces volume, flow rates or pollutants from stormwater runoff. Examples of a stormwater management facilities include wet ponds, dry ponds, wetlands, underground storage chambers or other stormwater infrastructure implemented to reuse, collect, convey, detain, retain, or provide a discharge point for stormwater runoff. Learn more about the stormwater management facilities.

The following stormwater ponds will be improved in 2022 through the Stormwater Management Facility Improvements Program:

 

Villa Park Pond

Villa Park Pond is a dry pond facility located at the northwest corner of Villa Park Drive and Pine Valley Drive. The pond receives stormwater from two inlets – one located at the north end and the second at the northeast corner of the pond. Water is discharged to an existing outlet culvert that crosses the south end of Villa Park Drive. The following work is proposed:

• Pond excavation to convert the facility into a wet pond and include a permanent pool.
• Realignment of existing inlet channel so it is separated from the pool.
• Installation of access roads for maintenance purposes.
• Modifications to existing outlet, including adding a low-flow structure, to increase flood control performance.
• Installation of stone inlet spillways, retaining walls and shield structures to improve sediment retention.
• Further vegetation management and landscaping features.

 

Accumen Investments Pond | Site 5 

Accumen Investments Pond is a dry pond facility located east of Kaiser Drive and north of the Partridge Crescent cul-de-sac. The facility provides flood control for the contributing catchment area. The following work is proposed:

• Pond excavation to convert the facility into a wet pond and include a permanent pool.
• Installation of access roads for maintenance purposes.
• Modifications to existing outlet culvert, including adding a low-flow structure and channel, to increase water quality and flood-control performance.
• Installation of stone inlet spillways and retaining walls.
• Further vegetation management and landscaping features.

Harmonia Pond | Site 8
Harmonia Pond is a dry pond facility located southeast of Harmonia Crescent and northeast of Dunstan Crescent. The facility provides flood control for the contributing catchment area. The following work is proposed:

• Pond excavation to convert the facility into a wetland and include a shallow, permanent pool.
• Realignment of existing inlet storm sewer and sanitary sewer line.
• Installation of access roads for maintenance purposes.
• Installation of a low-flow outlet structure to improve flood control performance.
• Installation of stone inlet spillways, retaining walls and shield structures to improve sediment retention.
• Further vegetation management and landscaping features.

Saddle Tree Crescent Outfall | Site 12
Saddle Tree Crescent Outfall is situated to the northeast of Saddle Tree Crescent and St. Ives Court. The area is a park with open space adjacent to Robinson Creek. The existing outfall structure discharges directly to the creek without any control. The following work is taking place:

• Construction of a wetland area within the park to provide water quality benefits to stormwater prior to discharge into Robinson Creek.
• Installation of access roads for maintenance purposes.
• Installation of a flow splitter to redirect water quality flows towards the wetland.
• Installation of a wetland inlet, inlet spillway, outlet structures and outlet channel.
• Further vegetation management and landscaping features.

Construction for all four stormwater ponds is anticipated to take place from fall 2022 to fall 2023. Fencing will be installed along the perimeter of the facility while work takes place.

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The projects noted below are partially funded by the federal government’s Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund, and are anticipated to take place between January 2022 and August 2022. Timelines are subject to change.

 

Blackburn Pond

Blackburn Pond is a large open area located east of Balding Boulevard, south of Blackburn Boulevard and north-west of Bell Harbour Place. The area is currently designed as a dry pond facility and provides flood control for the contributing catchment area. The existing pond will be further excavated and converted into a wet pond with the addition of a permanent body of water. The project will improve the functionality of the existing stormwater management facility and incorporate water quality benefits. In addition, the proposed new design will provide water quality benefits, maintain existing flood control performance and improve access to the area for inspections and maintenance.

The Blackburn Pond project will include:

• pond excavation and incorporation of a permanent body of water
• the installation of access roads and retaining walls
• modifications to the existing outlet structure from where the water flows out
• the installation of armour stone
• plant life management and landscaping features

While work takes place, access to the area will be impacted. The site will be accessed from Blackburn Boulevard, on the north edge of the pond block. Increased truck traffic is expected during working hours. Traffic control requirements will be confirmed with the contractor. Access to existing trails within the pond will be blocked during construction. Access to existing properties/driveways will be maintained at all times.

Fencing will be installed along the perimeter of the pond block to impede public access to construction site. All construction activities will be carried out within the fenced area as to avoid public exposure to any construction equipment or materials. Should traffic control be required, all necessary measures will be taken to guarantee safe traffic at the access point.

 

Franklin Pond and Pondview Pond

 

Franklin Avenue Pond and Pondview Pond are undergoing upgrades to improve the functionality of the existing stormwater management facility and incorporate measures to solve historical flooding issues observed in the area. Franklin Pond is situated between Hefhill Court and Franklin Boulevard, and Pondview Pond is located within Hefhill Park. Both facilities are dry ponds, which means they provide flood control for the contributing catchment area, but local flooding issues have been identified in neighbouring properties. The proposed new design intends to address flooding issues and proposed solutions from past studies will be implemented.

The proposed design combines different measures that together will help manage flooding in the future and:

• increase in the storage capacity of Pondview Pond
• redirect excess flows from Franklin Pond to Pondview Pond through a pipe to be installed within Hefhill Park connecting both ponds
• modify the existing outlet configuration of both ponds to provide proper flow control for the proposed conditions
• redirect flow from three existing catch basins located on Franklin Avenue to bypass the existing sewer network and discharge directly to Pondview Pond

While work takes place, access to the area will be impacted. Traffic control requirements will be confirmed with the contractor. Increased truck traffic is expected during work hours. Access to existing park amenities, including playground areas and tennis courts, will be limited or restricted during construction. Access to adjacent properties and driveways will be maintained at all times, however should disruptions occur, they will be addressed with the individual landowner.

As an increased safety measure, fencing will be installed along the perimeter of the pond block and along Hefhill Park to prevent public access to the site. All construction activities will be carried out within the fenced area to avoid public exposure to any construction equipment or materials. Access to Hefhill Park will be limited during construction.