Update to Sherwood Creek-Burke Brook Fish Passage Restoration Study

The study report is available for a 30-day review period from May 1 to May 30. View the study report in the tab below. Interested persons can provide written comments to the City at the contact listed.

The City of Toronto has completed an update of the Sherwood Creek-Burke Brook Fish Passage Restoration, originally completed in 2006. Since the study’s completion, a number of large storms have caused significant stream erosion and increased the risk of damage to City sewer infrastructure in Burke Brook. This update assessed the potential hazards due to erosion and developed solutions to protect the sewer infrastructure in Burke Brook, located east of Bayview Avenue (north of Glenvale Boulevard) to the confluence at West Don River.

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

To protect the City’s sewer infrastructure, the updated recommendations include:

restoration of stream segments to protect the City’s sewer infrastructure that are at high risk of exposure due to erosive forces; and
construction of infrastructure protection and stream restoration work within the existing stream corridor.

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)

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 updated Project File has been placed on public record for a 30-day review period starting May 1, 2023 and ending May 30, 2023. View the Notice of Completion for details on providing written comments.

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