Re-routing Carp River could cause flooding, warns city engineer
Posted Feb 8, 2010 By David Johston
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Tweet ThisA city infrastructure resident watchdog says rerouting the Carp River to widen a 4.3-kilometre section of Hazeldean Road between Stittsville and Kanata could be a flood threat.
City of Ottawa Engineer Ted Cooper said, “this project is the classic piecemealed environmental assessment project. To the North is the future Kanata West development area where the Ontario Ministry of Environment (MOE) has issued an Order under the Ontario Environmental Assessment Act. To the South is the future Fernbank development area, lands that are under appeal to the Ontario Municipal Board because of its relaxed stormwater controls.”
The Carp River has recently been diverted as part of the plan to build a temporary construction road over the river to enable construction of new bridge crossings.
“The area is most vulnerable while under construction,” warned Cooper. “What is really unbelievable is that all of this could be happening despite the recent floods in Glen Cairn. Unless there is evidence that some credible hydraulic analysis has been prepared to support the work currently under construction, a cynic might conclude that the City appears to be more concerned about losing its funding from other levels of government should this project not be completed in time to qualify for the ISP funding, than it is concerned about ensuring the protection of the public's health and safety and property of its residents.”
For the full story, see the Feb. 12 issue of the EMC.
