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ERCA News

Partners Celebrate Protection Against Flooding in East Riverside

Thursday, Oct. 15, 2009

Windsor - The City of Windsor, Province of Ontario and the Essex Region Conservation Authority came together today to celebrate the completion of a significant flood control project along the Little River.

"The Province of Ontario is pleased to have partnered with the City of Windsor and ERCA to contribute more than $900,000 through our Water and Erosion Control Infrastructure program towards this significant project," said MPP Bruce Crozier. "The program provides 50% of the project funds, with the other 50% paid by the benefitting municipality. Partnering with municipalities and conservation authorities across the province ensures that many homes and families are protected from the dangers of flooding."

"The Essex Region Conservation Authority is extremely pleased to have been able to work in partnership with the City of Windsor on this project to protect more than 2000 homes and the sewage treatment plant from flooding," said Windsor City Councillor Jo-Anne Gignac, an ERCA Board member. "This project included the construction of over-flow weirs at two locations, flood containment areas surrounding the large parkland area east of the Little River, and other flood control structures to ensure that excess waters are contained in the parkland rather than entering residential areas or the sewage treatment plant during periods of high rainfall."

These flood control works are crucial, as much of the existing developed area is below the lake level and is up to two to three metres below flood level. These most recent works were necessary to upgrade and ensure the performance of the major dykes which were constructed along several kilometres of Little River by ERCA in the 1980s, also in partnership with the City and the Province. In total, project costs were $1.8 million, and the project was completed in several stages over the past four years.

Councillor Percy Hatfield was also complimentary of other partners in the project. "We also must recognize two major developers, the Coco Group and the late Mr. Fanelli, who participated with ERCA and the City of Windsor in the Engineering Studies which identified the overall program of flood control and storm water management for the East Riverside Area," he said. "These developers constructed complementary works such as storm water retention ponds, and should be recognized for their efforts."

Protecting homes and people from the dangers of flooding and erosion is one of the key priority areas upon which ERCA, like all Conservation Authorities, is based.