No adverse impacts to ecologically sensitive communities Good construction access Minimal maintenance requirements

Does not provide direct flood protection to the clubhouse which could be a potential safety hazard No added recreational benefits

Provides direct protection to clubhouse while reducing impact to natural environment compared to Concept 1A/1B

Despite reduced vegetation impact, some disruption and tree removals still required

Protects entire south end from flooding

Construction would result in significant disturbance to existing naturalized shoreline and vegetation communities High cost compared to other alternatives Some long-term maintenance required

South End Existing Conditions

The South End focus area is located on the southwest side of Algonquin Island. This is a naturalized area that includes provincially significant wetland and woodland communities. The shoreline is also naturalized and largely unprotected with no existing structures. The Algonquin Island Association (AIA) clubhouse is the only existing infrastructure in this focus area. The clubhouse building operates as both a community centre and a children's centre for the Waterfront Montessori.

Aerial view of south end of Algonquin Island with wooded and open lawn areas and the Montessori School.

Aerial photo of South End Focus Area on Algonquin Island. Source: TRCA, 2017.

South End Concept Designs

The following concept designs are being presented:

South End Summary Video

Concept 1A
Vegetated Shoreline Flood Berm

Concept 1 involves installing a vegetated impermeable berm to protect the focus area from flooding. This Concept has several variations based on the placement of the berm. Concept 1A involves placing the berm along the shoreline.

Map of Algonquin Island South End showing a shoreline berm treatment.

South End - Concept 1A: Vegetated Shoreline Flood Berm. Source: Baird, 2022.

Cross-section of naturalized habitat shoreline with a backshore impermeable berm.

South End - Concept 1A, Cross-section B. Source: Baird, 2022.

Advantages

Protects entire south end from flooding

Disadvantages

Construction would result in significant disturbance to existing naturalized shoreline and vegetation communities
High cost compared to other alternatives
Some long-term maintenance required

OVERALL EVALUATION RANKING: LOW

Concept 1B and
Concept 1C: Vegetated Inland Berm

Concept 1B and 1C show a variation where the berm is placed inland instead of along the shoreline. In Concept 1B, the berm follows the most open pathway to avoid disturbance to the vegetation community. Concept 1C is another variation of the inland option where the berm more closely encircles the clubhouse and then follows the roadway to further minimize vegetation disturbance.

Map of Algonquin Island South End showing a vegetated berm around Montessori School and through a wooded area.

South End - Concept 1B: Vegetated Inland Flood Berm. Source: Baird, 2022

Map of Algonquin Island South End showing a vegetated berm around Montessori School and along Wyandot Avenue.

South End - Concept 1C: Vegetated Inland Clubhouse Flood Berm. Source: Baird, 2022.

Cross-section of inland berm with buried impermeable membrane.

South End - Concept 1B, Cross-section C. Source: Baird, 2022.

Advantages of Concept 1B

Reduced impact to natural environment compared to Concept 1A

Disadvantages of Concept 1B

Impact to vegetation community would still be significant compared to other alternatives
Some long-term maintenance required

Advantages of Concept 1C

Provides direct protection to clubhouse while reducing impact to natural environment compared to Concept 1A/1B

Disadvantages of Concept 1C

Despite reduced vegetation impact, some disruption and tree removals still required
Some long-term maintenance required

OVERALL EVALUATION RANKING: MEDIUM

Concept 2
Vegetated Inland Berm and Flood Wall

Like Concept 1C, Concept 2 involves installing a vegetated inland berm that wraps around the clubhouse. The berm would then transition into a concrete flood wall that is placed along the roadway.

Map of Algonquin Island South End showing a berm around Montessori School and a flood wall along Wyandot Avenue.

Map of Algonquin Island South End showing a berm around AIA Clubhouse and a flood wall along Wyandot Avenue.

South End - Concept 2, Cross-section C. Source: Baird, 2022.

South End - Concept 2, Cross-section D. Source: Baird, 2022.

Advantages

Provides direct protection to clubhouse while reducing impact to natural environment compared to Concept 1A/1B

Disadvantages

Despite reduced vegetation impact, some disruption and tree removals still required

OVERALL EVALUATION RANKING: MEDIUM

Concept 3
Wyandot Avenue Flood Wall

Concept 3 involves installing a concrete flood wall along Wyandot Avenue. The wall would protect the residential area but leave the rest of the south end natural and allow it to flood. The pathway leading to the clubhouse would need to be raised to maintain access during high lake levels.