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Ivanhoe Lake

Location: Ivanhoe Lake Provincial Park
Date: 2007-2008

Ivanhoe Lake Provincial Park located between Chapleau and Timmins is a popular spot for family outings and fishing trips. Unfortunately, the park had been suffering from erosion for several years causing the shoreline and natural features to break down. Most evident was the degradation of the park’s dune areas that posed a significant concern, as they are considered rare features in Ontario’s landscape. Parish Geomorphic studied related conditions throughout the park to determine the causes of erosion.
Over the years, field analysis and the review of aerial photographs yielded definite results. Wind erosion was affecting the site during the winter months, while wave erosion contributed to further damage during the summer. Combined with bank slumping and the removal of eroded sands by longshore drift the erosion grew more significant. Parish Geomorphic proposed numerous solutions to the problem of erosion and ultimately two different solutions would be used for the two areas of the park experiencing significant erosion. In the day use area, the decision was made to re-grade the slopes and use a bioengineering technique called the jute soil roll treatment to stabilize the steep, eroding bank faces. The dune bluffs however were to be stabilized using a different treatment, called wattle brush layering that would make the dunes resilient to wave action. It was also suggested that a temporary, precautionary stone barrier be put in place to stop any further erosion before the implementation of the long-term solutions could begin. After the construction has been completed Parish Geomorphic will monitor the restoration treatments to assure that the project is a success.

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