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Home My WebLink AboutINS-13-085 - Kolb Creek Class Environmental Assessment Staff Re r InfrastructureServrresC9epartment www.kitrhenerra REPORT TO: Environment Committee DATE OF MEETING: September 19, 2013 SUBMITTED BY: Steve Allen, P.Eng., Manager Engineering Design and Approvals (519-741-2200 x7584) PREPARED BY: Steve Allen, P.Eng., Manager Engineering Design and Approvals (519-741-2200 x7584) WARD(S) INVOLVED: Ward # 1 DATE OF REPORT: September 5, 2013 REPORT NO.: INS-13-085 SUBJECT: KOLB CREEK—CLASS ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT RECOMMENDATION: For Information BACKGROUND: The Kolb Creek watershed is located in the north eastern part of the City of Kitchener. The Kolb Drain lies within a predominantly urban watershed with an area of approximately 455 hectares. The creek was originally constructed as a drain in 1944 when the watershed was mostly rural. Kolb Creek has been identified as cold water fish habitat. A drainage study was completed in 1977 and updated in 1991 to define the effect that existing and continued urbanization will have on the Kolb Drain. These studies concluded that increased urbanization has created the potential for flooding on adjacent properties. The studies also identified potential channel erosion. Improvements to the creek over the past 15 years have included channel naturalization downstream of Smetana Drive. In 2001, the City of Kitchener developed a Stormwater Management (SWM) Policy in order to ensure that the most effective approach to SWM will be provided across the City. The 2001 Policy identified Kolb Creek as first priority for stormwater management and stream restoration within the City of Kitchener due to the effects of urbanization impacting the watercourse. The increased urbanization within the Kolb Creek drainage area and presences of undersized culverts and crossings along the watercourse has created a potential for flooding on adjacent properties and the potential for erosion. The downstream portion of the channel is tightly confined between private properties, and contains a series of abrupt alignment changes with hardened bed and banks. A portion of the study reach is channelized and even flows beneath a parking lot and building upstream of the Natchez Rd. crossing. The purpose of this Class EA and preliminary design is to generate and evaluate a series of alternatives to improve the flooding issues found within the Kolb creek system while considering environmental and aquatic improvements. 2 - 1 Staff Re r InfrastructureServrresC9epartment wwkitchenera Portions of Kolb Creek are confined to a narrow right of way, while other portions are contained in a closed pipe system, a portion of which is located on private property. The primary objective of the study is to determine a preferred alternative to alleviate local flooding issues on the portion of Kolb Creek extending from Matthew St. to the existing SWM facility east of Manchester Rd. The study will also evaluate the opportunities to retrofit an existing stormwater management (SWM) facility within Forfar Park to improve water quality within Kolb Creek. The study area is depicted in Figure 1. tr........... Figure 1 — Kolb Creek Study Area REPORT: The objective of the study is to determine a preferred alternative to alleviate local flooding issues on the portion of Kolb Creek extending from Matthew St. to the existing SWM facility east of Manchester Rd. The study will also evaluate the opportunities to retrofit the existing stormwater management (SWM) facility within Forfar Park to improve water quality within Kolb Creek. Six alternatives to address the flooding problem along Kolb Creek were identified and are described as follows: Alternative 1 — Do Nothing Kolb Creek remains in its current state and alignment. 2 - 2 Staff Re r InfrastructureServrresC9epartment www.kitrhenerra Alternative 2 — Overflow Sewer along Rothsay Avenue This option involves the diversion of flows above approximately 7.5 cros* (1-in-5 year event) to be conveyed along the North side of Rothsay Avenue within a subsurface circular pipe or box culvert (approx.. 300m length). A new outlet would be required upstream of the existing pedestrian bridge. All works are to be completed within City lands. 0, ------------- __________ OVERFLOWSEWER ,rig, �c,��^�� m� ��°w�u� �E¢� �u��:��;;��ua�o-• .w��.��:: 00. rw,... a; a d r, dr user 1s � r h.nllhU-1, hi l ristruutures Sure-ary. rcCs 1 IY A l l V Y y -, �I )I.:ldv oo,, tr.r Llihlr - J y� w I 1a,6 n W a�ru r a,/'r Pn . Mi'd ,iW .. r. Y e i6 0-11 wSv r.1 o€Gic Ul vu,A, }aag uvWl - �u�+) y �qq�$ I • yi. W u Intl .RBI i uatun tlni v r11i �.. y 1ti P drJ i a,i,r�IL", l rc rl I v c a N ru IL { P al oar In idp, `r tlnf n uumtrcr u..�,. SCALE 1 1 79 0 49 W 15 A 76 15R 'S'SB 'p' � � r�u v Y'•. METRES 1 2 - 3 Staff Re r InfrastructureServrresC9epartment wwkitchenera Alternative 3 — Increase Existing Capacity This option involves increasing the existing stream capacity through replacement of the Rothsay Avenue culvert, 'boring and jacking' beneath 1263-1271 Victoria St. N building to widen the culvert (approximately 8 times the existing width of 2.6m to ultimate width of 20.8m), construction of a new wider crossing along Natchez Road and increasing channel width east of the Natchez Road crossing to upstream of the existing pedestrian bridge. Acquisition of one private property and removal of one existing building is required. Works required on private property and City lands. �Oe�, rY R MMENE ALTERNATI VE NO- 3- 1N0,kEAS11,1, .NC S'11 ING S FREAM KO LB(RJTK 00 GRANDWWR MHMARY rmrlk -1-1 All 00, K,Ah C—k Cr s,fi,g R,M (0—( )u).a u,,noil Wxdk,Put 0- ,PWI S�Ilfilll, 1,pn Q hw—1 widfl,If,, SCALE 1:1500 .... ...... 76 90 OS 20 16 0 76 ISO 22fi �ITSI,S 2 - 4 Staff Re r InfrastructureServrresC9epartment wwkitchenera Alternative 4— Reroute Stream along Rothsay Avenue This option involves the realignment of Kolb Creek adjacent to Rothsay Avenue by extending the downstream easement along Rothsay Avenue up to and including the replacement of the Rothsay Avenue culvert. Portions of existing channel would be filled-in and the box culvert beneath 1263-1271 Victoria St. N building and Natchez Road crossing would be decommissioned. Works are required on private property and City lands. Acquisition of two private properties and a portion of one property which fronts Rothsay Avenue would be required. The removal of three existing buildings and establishment of a new outlet to the existing 600mmstorm sewer would be required. 71 .......................... Reclaim (Ffll•m channell Abandon� claim decornaIission Al,'FERNAWIVE NOA ill4nCharmal) REROUTE SHMEAM ALONG ROTHSAY AVE KLB C R U (iRAND R OIVH� K FARY M K11h C-1-9 R,All. 4% Y-4-�,P- "'Z Kolb Ceeh ing S Iry A-1-d"IL lh,ihlhr,g 4 ki,fl"g 1014, R 'J(�J , Abk & h i,. � k md,,:u pit, Nold—Rd lJ n.......r S,-,-h1k,, 1 A TK M,Ck R W-V Hoh, A- M 3,0 al p,y,r,1 2, A & " (1 SCALE 1160C ✓5 60 45 30 15 0 76 1S0 225 MEIRES ..........................:::..1 _ ..................... 2 - 5 Staff Re r InfrastructureServrresC9epartment wwkitchenera Alternative 5— Reroute Stream between buildings This option involves the realignment of Kolb Creek along Rothsay Avenue between existing buildings. Portions of the existing channel would be filled-in and the box culvert beneath 1263- 1271 Victoria St. N and Natchez Road crossing would be decommissioned. Works required would be conducted on private property and City lands. Acquisition of one private property and a portion of one property which fronts Rothsay Avenue would be required as well as the removal of two existing buildings and establishment of a new outlet to the existing 600mm storm sewer. , VOA Re6airn (Fill-in channeit) TMT_ Tr- Ab,andord NL. decminiission A I I EANATWE'NM5- RERO tiTE STREAN111 BEMEFN (FllH6C4ann0) 4, r^ BUILDINGS KOLB CREEK "0 CRAND R NERTI�]J'w Tma pS Kolb(".k h'fi'a�wueh�S mu- 5. NC Mohlo 'P6 NzICJRd C)ih oj Alxiildd)o Do,11,o1il,i-I NWn ho,Hd Sdw-141-im tilt. d bho 6 MAI,c 1.1-RIT111111 Ift—D 11611�hAIN111 M h—h— f I AhA 2 lit it,im,11 ,,k1h,p 60(M,,i pip, SCALE 1AGOO 75 M 45 30 15 0 75 11" M METRE 4 2 - 6 Staff Re r InfrastructureServrresC9eplartment wwkitchenera Alternative 6 - Reroute Entire Stream within Sub-surface Sewer along Rothsay Ave. This option involves the diversion of all flows along the North side of Rothsay Avenue subsurface within circular pipe or box culvert (approx.. 300m in length). A new outlet would be required upstream of the existing pedestrian bridge. All works would be completed within City lands. Conflict with an existing 600mm o storm pipe would require it's relocation. Conservation Authority and Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) approvals may be difficult due to the loss of open channel. (FUlAn channel Ah..d mn1 KdCHL_�ER ALTERNATIVE NO.6- Rec, m Ilp'Ito1jrj�,j�EN H RF�SYSr FEM Fill-In cha nnell WITHIN SUR-SURFACE SEWER "SDI ON ROTHSAY AVE KO Id(REEK GRAN 1)RIVER I 12.1811 J LA RY 1000 "00 Kolb(,.ek h1fia,0-tices Sur nwuy: VX 1, 4 ;� 7 W dg,N ' SCALE 11W 7S 60 46 M 15 0 T5 ISO 3Z5 METRE S I Feasibility Screening The Alternatives were assessed using a two (2) phase process: 1. Feasibility Screening - used to evaluate the "pros and cons" and identify alternatives to be carried forward 2. Detailed evaluation using twenty-three (23) criteria within the four (4) main environmental assessment categories including Physical/Natural Environment, Social, Economic and Technical/Engineering considerations. The feasibility screening is used to identify alternatives that are more likely to be implementable and only carry those through to the second phase, detailed assessment, and to eliminate 2 - 7 Staff Re r InfrastructureServrresC9epartment wwkitchenera alternatives that for various reasons would not be feasible to implement. The feasibility of each alternative was reviewed in terms of: • Ability to meet study objectives • Technical & Physical Feasibility • Estimated Costs • Landowner Acceptance • Municipal/Agency Acceptance • Environmental Impacts • Social Impacts As a result of the Feasibility Screening the following alternatives were removed from the detailed evaluation. Alternative 3 — Increase Existing Capacity - not carried forward due to high risk and lack of feasibility. Alternative 6 - Reroute Entire Stream within Sub-surface Sewer along Rothsay Ave. - not carried forward due to anticipated lack of agency support and feasibility. The remaining alternatives were evaluated with a consistent methodology. The four evaluation criteria (technical, economic, environmental and social) have been used to allow an alternative- to-alternative comparison Preferred Alternative — Kolb Creek Flooding and Erosion To select a preferred alternative, alternatives 1, 2, 4 and 5 were evaluated using the criteria listed in the table below. Environmental Criteria 0 Ease of Implementation Technical/Engineering 0 Agency and Municipality Acceptance Considerations 0 Policy/Bylaw Requirements • Technical Feasibility Natural/Physical 0 Potential Aquatic Habitat Benefit Environment ((a).water temperature, (b). fish Considerations passage) • Potential to reduce erosion ((a).public lands, (b). private lands) • Potential to Reduce Streambank & Bed Erosion • Potential to Reduce Flooding • Potential to Enhance Groundwater • Potential to Improve Terrestrial Habitat • Integration with Existing Environment • Integration with Existing Environment 2 - 8 J � Staff Re r Social/ Cultural 0 Aesthetic/ Recreation Considerations 0 Landowner Acceptance 0 Potential Increase in Property Value 0 Compatibility with Adjacent Land Use 0 Community Disruption Economic Considerations 0 Construction Costs 0 Long-term Operation & Maintenance 0 Infrastructure Protection Through the evaluation of the alternatives using these orbeha, the preferred alternative is Alternative 2 — Overflow sewer along Rothsay Avenue Pond 6 Retrofit— Preferred Alternative Following the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment process, the alternative solutions developed tD fulfill the study objectives and identified problem are evaluated using a set Df evaluation criteria. The Pond 8 Retrofit Alternatives were assessed using a detailed evaluation process made upDf eighteen (18) criteria within the four (4) main environmental assessment categories including Physical/Natural Envi[Dn08nt,SDCia|, Economic and Tech niCa|/EnAin8e[inA considerations. Kdb ClLA Ja 2013 2 - 9 Staff Re r InfrastructureServrresC9epartment www.kitrhenerra IMPLEMENTATION: It is anticipated that the implementation of the recommended alternatives will be completed during the 2015 construction season, subject to funding and council approval COMMUNICATIONS: Two Public Information Centres (PIC) were held (February 5th, 2013 and July 12th, 2013). The public, agencies, stakeholders, interested and affected parties were provided with an opportunity to review and comment on the study findings including preferred alternative, along with the other alternatives considered. The direct mail-outs, along with the newspaper advertisement advising the public and property owners of the project and the Public Information Centre, provided a project overview, as well as contact names and information for those interested. Furthermore there were many project meetings with Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA) to co-operatively select the preferred alternatives. The Preferred Alternatives will be presented to INS committee on September 30, 2013. FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS: The anticipated cost for implementing the preferred alternatives are: Kolb Creek—Alternative 2 —Overflow sewer along Rothsay: $4,000,000 est. Pond 6 Retrofit: $500,000 2 - 10