[ back ]

Paris Golf and Country Club – Gilbert Creek

Location: Paris, Ontario
Setting: Located along the edge of the Grand River, north of Paris
Date: Winter of 1998 to summer of 1999

Gilbert Creek - Culvert Prior to Removal

Gilbert Creek is a degraded coldwater stream that supports a resident brook trout population. In an effort to sustain the species, the client intended to undertake stream restoration efforts to improve fish habitat. The channel section identified for restoration was a buried culvert, situated within the golf course (for cart crossings). As a part of these efforts, PARISH Geomorphic Ltd. was retained to conduct a fluvial geomorphology investigation and develop a natural channel design. In order to complete this, existing background data was reviewed and geomorphic fieldwork was completed on the existing ‘open’ sections of the creek. The results were applied to develop a channel design that would result in a dynamically stable form and desirable brook trout habitat. As the setting was a golf course, aesthetics and maintenance were key additional design objectives. By removing the culvert there would be a more continuous fish passage, riparian corridor, and a greater diversity of aquatic habitat in the area.

PARISH Geomorphic Ltd. was responsible for the development of the channel design, consultation with the client and the local conservation authority, on-site supervision of channel construction and on-going monitoring of the new channel.

CASE STUDIES