Newtonbrook Creek Geomorphic Systems Master Plan

The City of Toronto has initiated a study to identify sewer and watermain infrastructure within Newtonbrook Creek and Blue Ridge Creek that is at-risk of erosion from high flows dues to storms and snow melt.

This study will look at how the current stream conditions are impacting the storm sewer and watermain infrastructure within the creeks and identify solutions to help reduce or prevent future impact to ensure the City’s water and sewer infrastructure can continue to operate and service residents and businesses.

It will follow the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment process, an approved planning process under the Ontario Environment Assessment Act. A Master Plan is a long range plan that examines the needs within a geographic area and provides a framework and vision to implement recommended improvements.

The study will not examine trail conditions or recommend improvements to trails, forestry or ravine amenities. The City may undertake separate efforts in the future to address these features.

The map below shows the location of Newtonbrook Creek and Blue Ridge Creek and the area under study.

Map of Newtonbrook Creek Study Area following Newtonbrook Creek at Willowdale Ave to Bayview Avenue and Finch Avenue to the CN Rail path to the East. Please contact Tracy Manolakakis for more information at newtonbrook@toronto.ca or 416 392 2990.

The City will notify and consult residents on the study and its recommended solutions.  To stay informed about the study’s progress, please contact us and we will add you to our email list for updates.

September 2022

During storm events, rain water or snow melt runoff enters underground pipes via drains and catchbasins on streets and in parks and is discharged from storm sewer outfalls into watercourses that flow to Lake Ontario.  At times these flows can be high, resulting in erosion damage. High flows from past storms have caused substantial erosion damage to sewers and watermains located in and near the City’s ravines and watercourses.

This erosion damage can:

  • destabilize the soil near sewers and watermains
  • expose or break buried sewers and watermains
  • damage storm outfalls, erosion control structures, the bottom or banks of the watercourse and aquatic habitats

In Newtonbrook Creek, the following City infrastructure is at-risk of erosion:

  • 16 storm outfalls
  • 17 sanitary sewer crossings
  • 38 maintenance holes
  • one watermain

In Blue Ridge Creek, the following City infrastructure is at-risk of erosion:

  • Four storm outfalls
  • Two sanitary sewer crossings
  • Twenty maintenance holes

Image Exposed manhole in the bank. Please contact Tracy Manolakakis for more information at newtonbrook@toronto.ca or 416 392 2990.

Exposed manhole in the bank.

Image of significant erosion between exposed sewer crossing and downstream manhole. Please contact Tracy Manolakakis for more information at newtonbrook@toronto.ca or 416 392 2990.

Significant bank erosion between the exposed sewer crossing and downstream manhole.