Update to Sherwood Creek-Burke Brook Fish Passage Restoration Study

The City of Toronto has initiated an update to the Sherwood Creek-Burke Brook Fish Passage Restoration, a Municipal Class EA study completed in 2006. This update will assess the potential hazards due to erosion and develop solutions that will protect the City of Toronto’s water and sewer infrastructure in Burke Brook located east of Bayview Avenue (north of Glenvale Boulevard) to the confluence at West Don River.

This study will include the outfalls, sanitary sewers and maintenance holes related to the City’s stormwater and sanitary system. This study will not examine trail conditions or recommend improvements to trails, forestry or ravine amenities.

Please see the consultation summary.

To receive updates by email, please contact burkebrook@toronto.ca to be added to the project contact list.

 

Notice of Public Consultation (April 11, 2022)

Comments closed on April 25, 2022.

 

Notice of Study  (February 26, 2021)

Consultation Summary (May 2022)

Map of Burke Brook Addendum from east of Bayview Avenue to confluence with West Don River
Map of Burke Brook from east of Bayview Avenue to confluence with West Don River

The following components of the City’s infrastructure that will be assessed in this study include:

  • Three (3) storm outfalls
  • Ten (10) parallel sanitary sewers
  • Three (3) sanitary sewer crossings
  • Six (6) maintenance holes

Common Risks to Storm and Sanitary Sewers in Our Ravines and Watercourses

A number of severe storm events since the completion of the 2006 study have caused significant erosion within Burke Brook. The City’s infrastructure at risk of this erosion includes:

  • One (1) storm outfall
  • Ten (10) parallel sanitary sewers
  • Three (3) sanitary sewer crossings
  • Six (6) maintenance holes

The potential risks to City infrastructure as a result of erosion:

  • Destabilizing the soil near sewers and watermains
  • Exposing or breaking previously buried sewers and watermains
  • Damage storm outfall structures, erosion control structures, watercourse bed (bottom of the watercourse), watercourse banks and aquatic habitats

Some photos that illustrate the risks include:

Photo of Burke Brook showing a sanitary sewer that runs to the left of the trail and parallel to the watercourse. The sewer is at risk of exposure.
Photo of Burke Brooke showing a sanitary sewer that runs to the left and parallel to the watercourse
Photo of Burke Brook showing significant bank erosion around a sanitary sewer and a maintenance hole (bottom right corner of photo).
Photo of Burke Brook showing significant downcutting within the drainage feature, which lead to the exposure of sanitary sewer crossing (bottom left corner of photo)
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Study Objective

This study will investigate and analyse the stream processes and current conditions impacting the stormwater and sanitary sewer infrastructure within the Burke Brook and undertake forecasting work to help predict future scenarios and/or impacts. Solutions can then be developed to help mitigate or prevent those future scenarios and ensure the City’s water and sewer infrastructure in Burke Brook can continue to operate and service residents and businesses.

Study Process

This study is being completed as an update to the Sherwood Creek-Burke Brook Fish Passage Restoration Municipal Class Environmental Assessment. This study follows Phases 1 and 2 of the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (MCEA) process including the following steps:

  • Analyze existing conditions and identify the problem or opportunity to be addressed
  • Develop and evaluate a range of alternative solution(s) that will address the effects of unstable channel dynamics and erosion process on the City of Toronto’s water and sewer infrastructure
  • Identify preferred solutions and develop conceptual plans
  • Issue Notice of Filing

The short URL to this webpage is toronto.ca/burkebrook