The Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority

Riverine Flood Status
Normal
Lake Simcoe Shoreline Status
Normal
Low Water Status
Normal

Low Impact Development Case Study

Forest Glen Road

The neighbourhoods in and around Newmarket’s Western Creek are aging and roads are in need of scheduled repair. With extensive development in this section of Newmarket, properties downstream are prone to flooding during intense storm events. Both the Town of Newmarket and LSRCA were looking at locations that could benefit from improved stormwater management. Forest Glen Road north of Queen Street was in need of a road reconstruction (i.e., re-surfacing and utility upgrades), and identified as an ideal LID retrofit site since the segment of road requiring the upgrade outlets directly to Western Creek.

Features such as bioswales including red-sand absorptive media in the subsurface filter layer, curbcuts, plantings and stream erosion protection were used to sustainably manage stormwater. The Town of Newmarket, LSRCA, and local residents worked together to reduce costs and increase resident ownership, participation, and satisfaction. This location will be used as a demonstration for future projects.

LID can help keep our neighbourhoods safer and our rivers and Lake Simcoe cleaner.

Stormwater runs off hard surfaces into storm sewers and rivers, which often over flow and cause flooding. With LID, residents will experience less flooding as water is stored in soil and gravel underground. Pollutants in stormwater are also filtered out naturally before the water reaches our rivers and Lake Simcoe. 

Find out more about the Forest Glenn project:

What are the lessons learned from the project?

  • Curbcuts are an effective compromise to maintain a natural swale feature on a curbed street. Curbs are highly desired by residents and curbcuts provide an opportunity for water conveyance into the LID feature.  
  • Concrete Inlet Aprons allow the stormwater loadings entering from the curbcuts into the bioswale to have an effective transition to the feature that support initial sediment deposition and ease for regular maintenance and removal. 
  • Create resident ownership – A street BBQ event galvanized support for the project and brought the project details to the residents allowing for direct feedback at the project location. 
  • Aesthetics of plants – LIDs can improve a home’s curb appeal. Allowing residents to work with industry experts to choose plants increases community engagement and provides an opportunity for input from property owners.
  • Working together for success – Both the town and the authority worked together to reduce costs and increase resident participation and will use the site as a demonstration for future projects.

phone icon   Who to Contact 

Steve Auger

Stormwater Management Coordinator
905-895-1281
1-800-465-0437 Toll free
s.auger@LSRCA.on.ca

Scroll to Top