Partner: Toronto and Region Conservation Authority

Location: Brampton

This 500m section of Spring Creek within the Etobicoke Creek Watershed originally consisted of a degraded and failing concrete lined, straightened channel void of natural morphology or habitat features. This project  provided a unique opportunity to remove an engineered channel for restoration, conveyance, enhancement of floodplain and water balance.

Natural channel design methods were employed, with a focus on channel habitat and floodplain enhancement. This project was also designed to reconnect the Creek back to the floodplain to assist in dissipating the stress to the channel during high flows by allowing it to spill into associated wetlands with the added benefit of a healthier riparian corridor and terrestrial habitat.

The Alfred Kuehne realignment project is multi-phased. Since 2010, ~500m of concrete channel has been removed and 10,000 native tree and shrubs have been planted. Intact is funding the 2014-2015 phase, which consists of restoration plantings and post project monitoring.

Learn more about the Alfred Kuehne Channel Naturalization Project

Project update (July 2014)

• staff has initiated the post project monitoring program for the channel naturalization work and the 2013 plantings
• Conducted some maintenance work on the site following the spring flooding activity. Maintenance work included the removal of debris from the site and replacement newly planted trees/shrubs that did not survive due to winter kill, wildlife browse and/or flooding activity.
• Finalized restoration planting plan details for the remainder of the site – an additional 1000 native trees/shrubs