Coastal Process Study to inform the restoration of the Graham Creek Jetties and Bond Head Beach

Project background

The Municipality of Clarington, in partnership with the Government of Canada and with technical support from the Ganaraska Region Conservation Authority, has launched a Coastal Process Study along Lake Ontario to inform the restoration of the Graham Creek Jetties and Bond Head Beach using nature-based approaches. The study, which began in summer 2025, is being funded in part by the Government of Canada’s Great Lakes Freshwater Ecosystem Initiative, which will provide the municipality with $100,000 over a two-year period.

The Great Lakes Freshwater Ecosystem Initiative combines science and action to address environmental challenges affecting Great Lakes’ water quality and ecosystem health by supporting local projects. Clarington’s Coastal Process Study will build on previous studies under the Lake Ontario Canadian Nearshore Assessment (2019) and advance the recommendations outlined in the Lake Ontario Shoreline Management Plan (2020).

What are Jetties?

Jetties are structures made of wood, stone, or concrete, built along coastlines or riverbanks to help with maritime navigation and protect the shore. To better understand how natural forces—like waves, currents, and sediment—affect the coastline and jetties, a Coastal Process Study is often needed. The study will help guide restoration efforts to improve the functionality of the Graham Creek Jetties and Bond Head Beach, making them more resilient to environmental changes, particularly those posed by climate change.

Current status and next steps

The Coastal Process Study began in the summer of 2025 and is now in the design phase. The design will offer nature-based solutions to improve the functionality and resilience of the Graham Creek Jetties and Bond Head Beach.

Key Contacts

Matt Holmes, Capital Works Engineer
Planning and Infrastructure Services
289-928-8726 | mholmes@clarington.net