The St. Clair Region Conservation Authority (SCRCA) is evaluating the removal of the Head Street Dam in Strathroy, to restore the Sydenham River to a more natural state. Built in the 1970s, the 1.4-meter-high dam has caused sediment buildup, negatively affecting recreation and wildlife habitat. The dam also impacts river ecosystems by blocking fish passage and degrading water quality. A letter and report was entered into the agenda for this week’s Strathroy-Caradoc Council stating removing the dam could benefit the river’s ecology, but the SCRCA stresses the need for careful silt management to prevent harm downstream.
Additional studies are recommended to assess the potential impact. Discussions with regulatory authorities, including DFO, MNRF, and MECP, are necessary to agree on sediment management before proceeding. Council has requested further reports from the SCRCA but has not yet made a decision. The full report is available here.
filestream.ashx (escribemeetings.com)
Written by: C. Soares