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Middle Grand River Chapter |
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Conserving, Protecting and Restoring freshwater ecosystems |
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THE LAST DAM STANDNG |
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A PROJECT FOR THE REMOVAL OF THE WHITEMANS CREEK DAM AND REHABILITIATION AND NATUARLIZATION OF THE AREA |
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The dam at the mouth of Whiteman’s Creek, being in a poor state of repair, has not been functional for some time . It poses a risk to the public, is a barrier to fish movement and negatively impacts the aquatic habitat. The intent of this project is to remove the remnants of the dam structure and to naturalize the stream bed and adjacent riparian areas. The location of this project is Whitman’s Creek approximately 25m upstream from its confluence with the Grand River. Whiteman’s Creek is the most significant cold water tributary of the Grand River between Paris and Brantford |
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Due to both its place in our history and its importance to our future, the Grand River is one of 39 rivers across Canada designated as a Canadian Heritage River. This designation charges us, as stewards, to ensure that the Grand River and its tributaries flow into the future with their features protected for generations to come.
In addition, the section of the Grand River from Paris to Brantford has been designated as “Exceptional Waters". This designation is due to a unique collection of characteristics including the aquatic habitat, many varied fish species, several of which are at risk and a river valley rich in local history which boasts a number of unprecedented features such as a perched fen and Carolinian species of trees , as well as being a source of drinking water for downstream communities.
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In the early part of the last century, as the area was settled, the importance of commerce and growth, coupled with our lack of environmental understanding, saw Whiteman’s Creek hosting 4 dams. It was essentially a slow moving slough between mill wheels. Today, 3 of those dams are gone and with careful stewardship the stream continues to improve. The dam at Five Oaks represents the last remaining vestige of that era. It truly is “the last dam standing”.
The area immediately surrounding the dam has a colorful history including native settlements, agriculture, several grist mills, gypsum mines and a distillery. The current type of use as a park and nature center started in 1935 when Camp Thayendenagea was established. This is the first mention and photo of the dam, built to create a swimming area.
In 1953 the property was purchased by the United Church of Canada which established it as the Five Oaks Christian Workers Center. Today the site hosts activities including retreats, family camps and activities, in addition to a large number of children’s programs, most of which are available to the public. Five Oaks also permits public access to Whiteman’s Creek and the Grand River for fishing and hiking. |
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Whiteman's Creek itself is one of the most productive and unusual coldwater streams within the Grand River watershed. The stream begins just southeast of the town of Tavistock, Ontario and flows southeast into the Grand River. It begins as a warm water stream with intermittent flows, weaving its way across flat farmland. After flowing under Highway 401, the stream leaves the large till plain and begins to carve a path through the Paris Moraine. From this point, downstream to its confluence with the Grand River, the stream continues to deepen into the Paris Moraine and the edge of the Norfolk sand plain. From Bishop’s Gate Road downstream, Whiteman’s increases dramatically in size due to the enormous quantities of groundwater that begin to pump into the stream banks and bed. Unlike other streams whose maximum summer water temperatures increase as they move downstream, the maximum summer temperatures in Whiteman's Creek DECREASE! The coldest summer temperatures are found near its mouth at the Grand River. These major groundwater discharges and cold temperatures, in combination with its abundant gravel substrate and relatively healthy riparian zone through the lower river, make this stream extremely productive. In reaches where all these factors are operating at their optimum, trout production is enormous with large numbers of rainbow trout and brown trout being produced. In studies done by the Grand River Conservation Authority and the Ministry of Natural Resources, Whiteman’s Creek has been found to be, not only one of the top trout streams, but also a stream where growth rates of trout are almost 30% faster than other high quality streams such as the Upper Credit River.
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The provincial Ministry of Natural Resources is encouraging the removal of small inactive dams together with the restoration of those sites to a natural state. Part of that program includes seminars and workshops on dam removal.
Due to the dam’s poor state of repair, Five Oaks is concerned about the safety of program participants, especially children and the public, in the area of the Whiteman’s Creek dam.
They attended a MNR seminar and the project has grown from that point. Five Oaks also recognized that, in addition to the safety issues, the dam also has a significant negative impact on fish movement and aquatic habitat; therefore realizing that its removal would benefit not only the users of the site but, more significantly the community at large, through the restoration of the area to a natural state. Five Oaks then made application for removal of the dam through the MNR program. This essentially allowed MNR and Trout Unlimited to begin the process of having the dam removed. |
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A group including the partners, contributors and sponsors has come together to move the project forward
The partners in the project are · Trout Unlimited Canada (TUC) · The Middle Grand River Chapter of TUC · Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR · Five Oaks, as the owner of the dam · Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA) Brant Resource Stewardship Network · Grand River Fisheries Management Plan Implementation Committee · Grand River Migratory Fish Working Group
Project Plan The first step in the process was the preparation of a geomorphic mitigation and rehabilitation report, in addition to an appropriate, detailed functional design. To that end, MNR issued a Request for Proposals and selected Aquafor Beech to carry out the work.
In essence the report provided that · The dam is in a very poor state of repair, negatively impacting the habitat and restricting the movement of migratory fish species · The dam may be safely removed with the aquatic habitat and riparian zones returned to a natural state · A detailed functional design has been prepared that meets the requirements of all parties · The estimated total cost for this work would be $50,000
The next steps in the plan were to · Secure support for the project in both actual funding and in kind support · Prepare tender documents, call for tenders and select a contractor · Carry out the actual work · Re-commission the site · Provide ongoing monitoring
Financial Commitments The partners and friends of the project committed to the labour required, additionally committing a total of $54,237 to the project.
Construction Tenders were called and a contractor was selected, with the physical work commencing on September 22, 2007.
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At the end of the construction all trace of the dam had disappeared and the area returned to a natural state |
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Tangible Benefits/Impacts
This project is a great example of how groups with individual values can support a project and thus, be woven into a fabric of synergy that ultimately benefits the greater community.
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Environmentally, the completion of the project moved the area toward an intrinsic state. Nature will assume its role by completing the “cosmic process” over the next few years. The upstream area will be freed from accumulated choking silt, allowing aquatic insect life to return to the clean, stony stream bed. Fish will be free to move naturally between the main river and the stream without barriers. The effects of Man’s intrusion of 50 years ago will vanish.
From a community perspective, the main benefit to the area will be the removal of a safety hazard to both guests and staff of Five Oaks. In addition, the public, most especially the children, who as we know are drawn to water regardless of the danger, will be safe as well. In the regional context, the project supports efforts to conserve, protect and restore the Grand River and its tributaries, most especially the “exceptional waters” area. |
