Belle River Watercourse Rehabilitation

The affects of the Emerald Ash Borer and Dutch Elm disease are even more far reaching than the destruction of trees. The unusually large number of fallen trees and other amounts of debris caused by human activity at various locations along the Belle River have caused substantial blockages and flooding and drainage problems along the upstream tributary. "These blockages also increase the potential for large build-up and rapid release of flood waters, as occurred in February 2001 and resulted in flooding in the lower reaches of the watercourse," explains Tim Byrne, Senior Water Management Technician for the Essex Region Conservation Authority (ERCA).

It will cost approximately $100,000 to remove the selected blockages. As the Belle River is a natural watercourse, there is no provision for such works to be carried out as maintenance under the Drainable Act. Similar work undertaken by ERCA along the Canard River has demonstrated that the selective removal of blockages can be a cost effective and environmentally sound alternative. These works also help to improve fish habitat.

ERCA has been able to access 50% Provincial funding for this project, with the balance of the cost to be paid by the benefiting municipalities of Kingsville and Lakeshore.