Town of Collingwood opposed Huntingwood Trails East development, but now appears ready to settle despite significant risks

The Silver Creek Wetland is the largest remaining wetland on the south coast of Georgian Bay. It’s an important stop for migratory birds that is teeming with life of all kinds. Straddling the Town of Collingwood to the east and the Town of the Blue Mountains to the west, bordering the shore of Georgian Bay, the 425-acre Wetland acts as a great big sponge. During storms and spring melt, when creeks regularly overflow their banks, it soaks up vast quantities of water that would otherwise flood surrounding communities, including Cranberry West, Silver Glen, Forest Drive and the Cranberry Golf Course.

The Wetland, under threat from development since at least 1995, is now facing a clear and present danger: Huntingwood Trails East, a 69-unit residential development that would displace vast quantities of water during storms. This water would need to find new places to go.

We at the Blue Mountain Watershed Trust (BMWT), the Collingwood area’s oldest environmental organization, had been aligned with the Town of Collingwood in opposition to the proposed development, which has little redeeming value for the Town of Collingwood. Both we and the Town have party status to the January 16, 2025, Ontario Land Tribunal (‘OLT’) appeal, still in process.

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The Issue with Dropping 2D Modelling

The Town of Collingwood is now considering dropping a required 2-dimensional (‘2D’) hydraulic model (to model flooding) before proceeding with a settlement or approval of the proposed Huntingwood subdivision. At risk are public safety, many wet basements, and potentially the Cranberry Golf Course, as well as portions of the Silver Creek Provincially Significant Wetland.

The BMWT’s technical experts agree that the Huntingwood subdivision, as proposed, is potentially “unsafe”. The 1-dimensional (‘1D’) hydraulic model currently used to model water movement of the proposed subdivision is inadequate for assessing flood risks and public safety. The Town’s own Stormwater Management Master Plan relies on 2D modelling. Just recently, the Town switched to 2D modelling to model Oak Street Canal stormwater management, a far simpler water management scenario.

So why adopt a lower technical standard (1D) for modelling the much more complicated hydrology of this proposed development adjacent to a wetland? Protecting public safety should require that the Town insist on the already-completed and vastly superior 2D model, as outlined by two separate engineering firms retained at significant expense by BMWT.

Why the 2D Model Matters

The 2D modelling that BMWT procured has been peer reviewed. The engineering notes include the statement that “there is an increase to flood depths in existing developed areas to levels that represent an “unacceptable risk” as per the Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority Natural Hazards Technical Guide Policy 5.2.2 (2013).” This increase in flood risk to nearby communities is not presented in the Huntingwood 1D floodplain analysis and reporting for the East or West Huntingwood Trails development lands.

A view of the proposed Huntingwood Trails East off of Silver Creek Drive

Our Position

Why is this proposed development, which the Town of Collingwood had opposed at the Ontario Land Tribunal, not getting 2D treatment? Using a 1D model essentially means that the threat to life cannot be adequately determined, and adjacent neighbourhoods are very likely to be inundated with spillage, as determined using the 2D model applied to the original Draft Plans of Subdivision (Huntingwood Trails East and West).

The Town of Collingwood must demonstrate consistency with its own Stormwater Management Master Plan and provincial requirements by applying the highest modelling standards. BMWT respectfully requests that the Town of Collingwood refuse to grant any form of approval (or settlement) until a complete 2D model has been deployed for evaluation of the Huntingwood Stormwater Management engineering.

What You Can Do

Do you want the Town to guarantee its residents that the subdivision is safe and that natural heritage features are being protected? If so, please let Collingwood Town Council know that only 2D floodwater management modelling is acceptable, in accordance with the Town’s own Stormwater Management Master Plan. It would be most appreciated if you would DONATE for our JAN 12 2025 ONTARIO LAND TRIBUNAL fight.