Contact Us
Project Overview
The City of Cambridge completed a Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (Class EA) to assess various management alternatives for the Riverside Dam to address concerns related to the deteriorating condition of the dam. The study established a long-list of management approaches and related alternative solutions, and conducted an evaluation of each alternative using appropriate technical, natural, social and economic criteria leading to a short-list of alternatives. Further technical analyses were completed for the short-listed alternatives, including preparation of conceptual designs which considered public and agency input.
A preferred alternative to rebuild the dam was advanced and recommended for implementation. The Project File was completed and the Notice of Study Completion issued. During the Public Review Period the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) received five (5) Part II Order Requests. The Ministry completed their review and the five Requests were denied by the Minister meaning that the City could proceed with implementation of the recommended alternative.
A Consultant has now been retained by the City to complete the detailed design assignment. The Consultant is completing the necessary field work and studies and preliminary design work is underway.
Progress to date
Upcoming work
Documents, reports and updates
Progress to Date
- Four public information centres were held during the Class EA.
- Stakeholder Advisory Committee and Technical Advisory Committee meetings took place throughout the Class EA.
- Staff delivered Report 18-103(CD) to Council June 26, 2018 recommending a preferred alternative to rebuild the dam.
- Completed the Project File in July 2018.
- Project File was posted for a 60 day public review period.
- Five (5) Part II Order Requests were received by MECP.
- The Minister of MECP denied the five Part II Order Requests (links to the Minister's letter and the decision table are below) meaning the implementation of the recommended alternative could proceed.
- City completed a Request for Proposal (RFP) process and a Consultant for the implementation phase was retained in February 2020.
- The design assignment was initiated in March 2020.
-
Some field work for the design was completed and then the assignment was put on hold by Council direction due to the pandemic.
-
Field work and preliminary design was recommenced in September 2020 and is ongoing.
Upcoming Work
-
Review options for the new dam and determine a preferred concept.
-
Complete field work and preliminary design.
-
Stakeholder consultation; includes consultation with agencies, indigenous communities and the public. Community Engagement (including a virtual Public Information Centre) is scheduled for April 2021.
Study Area
Documents, reports and updates
- Notice of study commencement and public information centre
- Public Information Centre #3 presentation of alternative solutions
- Public Information Centre (PIC) No. 4 for Riverside Dam Class Environmental Assessment
- Public Information Centre #4 presentation of preliminary preferred alternative
- Comment form from Public Information Centre #4
- Stakeholder list
- Final Cultural Heritage Evaluation Report
- DRAFT Riverside Dam Inspection Report
- Stakeholder Workshop Report
- Structural Investigation & Review of Repair Feasibility
- Report to General Committee - March 6, 2018
- Report to Council - April 17, 2018
- Notification of Updated Preferred Alternative - April 2018
- Report to Council - June 26, 2018
- Notice of Study Completion
- Riverside Dam Environmental Study Report: Part A, Part B, Part C, Part D
- Letter from the Minister of MECP regarding the Part II Order Requests
- Minister's Decision Table (Minister's Review of Issues Raised by Requestors)
Contact Information
Mr. Scott MacDonald, P. Eng
Project Engineer
City of Cambridge
Development & Infrastructure
50 Dickson Street
Cambridge, ON N1R 5W8
T.: (519) 623-1340 Ext 4679
macdonaldscott@cambridge.ca