Harriston Flood Mitigation Study

Minto, Ontario

For over a century and a half, the residents of Harriston have experienced devastating flooding events, causing extensive property damage and even a state of emergency declaration during a 100-year storm in June 2017.

To address this ongoing issue, a team of consultants led by Triton Engineering Services is working in partnership with the Town of Minto, County of Wellington, and Maitland River Conservation Authority to develop a flood mitigation strategy for the community. The goal is to ensure the long-term safety of residents and reduce property damage caused by flooding, even if the flows reach the levels seen during Hurricane Hazel. The proposed strategy includes practical solutions that can be implemented over a 20-year funding plan, making it a realistic and effective approach.

This project represents the largest capital expenditure in the town's history, and it involves an extensive evaluation of the town's natural features and their potential impacts on the proposed flood mitigation options. Our team of ecologists completed a comprehensive study of the natural heritage conditions in the area, which involved mapping and characterizing the natural features, identifying potential constraints, and identifying further study requirements at the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment stage. This study was crucial in evaluating the proposed flood mitigation options' impacts on the town's watercourses, wetlands, meadows, forests, and wildlife, ensuring that the chosen strategy is environmentally sustainable and protects the natural features of the community.