Downtown Brampton Flood Protection Project Environmental Assessment

Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) and City of Brampton are working together to find ways of protecting downtown Brampton from future flood events while also unlocking the potential for revitalizing the downtown core.

TRCA, on behalf of and in cooperation with City of Brampton, has commenced the Downtown Brampton Flood Protection Project Environmental Assessment (DBFP EA).

Downtown Brampton is located within a flood-vulnerable area and is subject to land use development restrictions set by the Province of Ontario.

The goal of the DBFP EA is to identify a preferred Alternative Solution that will reduce flood risk to the downtown core, while considering opportunities for revitalization and ecological benefits.

About the
Project

Project
Updates

Meeting Materials and Notices

EA Documents

Project Background

Downtown Brampton lies within the regulatory flood plain of the Etobicoke Creek and has been long identified as a flood-vulnerable area, representing a risk to life, property and critical infrastructure.

This drone footage of Etobicoke Creek shows its course through Brampton today:

Until the mid-20th century, Etobicoke Creek flowed directly through downtown Brampton. Severe floods occurred frequently, in some cases causing loss of life and serious damage to the downtown core.

This led to the construction, in 1952, of a concrete bypass channel designed to divert the creek to the east. This channel would help to lessen the impact of Hurricane Hazel on downtown Brampton just two years later.

Nevertheless, up to 31 hectares of land in downtown Brampton today is still vulnerable to flooding during extreme (or “regulatory”) storm events. It is, in fact, the fourth-most flood-vulnerable area in TRCA’s jurisdiction.

Accordingly, the provincial government has designated downtown Brampton as Special Policy Area #3, or SPA 3.

Between 2013 and 2018, City of Brampton and TRCA conducted feasibility studies that have identified possibilities for eliminating flood hazards and, ultimately, removing the SPA designation.

• The Phase 1 feasibility study can be found HERE.
• The Phase 2 feasibility study can be found HERE. figures can be found HERE.

DEFINITIONS

What is a Special Policy Area?
“Special Policy Area” is a land use planning designation. It acknowledges that there is already development in a flood-vulnerable area, and that only limited changes can be made to the development in the flood plain.

What is a Flood Plain?
A flood plain is the area beside a watercourse that would be covered in water by a flood event.

What is a Regulatory Flood?
The terms “Regulatory Flood” refers to the extent of flooding that would occur if a storm the size of Hurricane Hazel (the largest storm on record in southern Ontario) falls over an area.

ABOUT BRAMPTON RIVERWALK

Completion of the Downtown Brampton Flood Protection project EA is a critical step towards achieving the RIVERWALK – a transformative opportunity for the City of Brampton to envision a revitalized future downtown core.

Riverwalk’s overarching goal is to create a healthy, sustainable and resilient downtown Brampton. The first step is to develop, through the DBFP EA, an innovative solution to flood risk that will enhance and protect the natural, social and economic environment.

• You can learn more about Riverwalk HERE.
• Take a virtual tour of Riverwalk HERE.

Project Updates

Addendum to Environmental Study Report Review: October 31, 2024 to November 30, 2024

Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA), in partnership with the City of Brampton (the City), has undertaken the Downtown Brampton Flood Protection Environmental Assessment (DBFP EA). An Addendum to the DBFP EA final ESR is now available for review and comment from October 31, 2024 to November 30, 2024.

Please visit the EA Documents section.

PREVIOUS UPDATES

Meeting Materials & Notices

EA Documents

Addendum to Environmental Study Report:  October 31, 2024 to November 30, 2024

• Notice of Addendum
• Downtown Brampton Flood Protection – Addendum to the Environmental Study Report

Final Environmental Study Report: June 4, 2020 to August 2, 2020

• Notice of Completion
• Downtown Brampton Flood Protection Environmental Assessment – Main Report
• Executive Summary, Table of Contents, Glossary, Acronyms
• Chapter 1 – Introduction
• Chapter 2 – Provincial, Regional and Local Planning Context
• Chapter 3 – Problem and Opportunity Statement
• Chapter 4 – Existing Conditions
• Chapter 5 – Alternative Solutions
• Chapter 6 – Alternative Design Concepts
• Chapter 7 – Description of the Preferred Alternative
• Chapter 8 – Potential Environmental Effects, Mitigation Measures and Monitoring
• Chapter 9 – Future Commitments
• Chapter 10 – Consultation
• Chapter 11 – Chapter 11 – References
• Appendix A – Part II Order Request Form
• Appendix B – DBFP EA Aquatic Habitat and Community Data Summary Report
• Appendix C – DBFP EA Terrestrial Biological Inventory Memo
• Appendix D – Record of Consultation
• Appendix E – Stage 1 Archaeological Assessment
• Appendix F – Conceptual Grading Plan
• Appendix G – Water Resources Engineering Technical Report
• Main Report
• Appendix A – Part 1
• Appendix A – Part 2
• Appendix B – Part 1
• Appendix B – Part 2
• Appendix B – Part 3
• Appendix C
• Appendix H – Preliminary Cost Estimate

Draft Environmental Study Report: January 30, 2020 to February 28, 2020

• Notice of Draft Environmental Study Report
• Downtown Brampton Flood Protection Environmental Assessment – Main Report
• Appendix A – Part II Order Request Form
• Appendix B – DBFP EA Aquatic Habitat and Community Data Summary Report
• Appendix C – DBFP EA Terrestrial Biological Inventory Memo
• Appendix D – Record of Consultation
• Part 1
• Part 2 – PIC 1
• PIC 2
• PIC 3
• Indigenous Engagement
• Appendix E – Stage 1 Archaeological Assessment
• Appendix F – Conceptual Grading Plan
• Appendix G – Water Resources Engineering Technical Report
• Appendix H – Preliminary Cost Estimate