Robinson Creek and Tooley Creek Subwatershed Study

On April 3, 2023, Clarington Council adopted in principle the recommendations in the Robinson Creek and Tooley Creek Subwatershed Study and approved implementation of the recommendations through new Secondary Plans within the study area and any subsequent development approvals. Read the Notice of Resolution.

Project Description

The Robinson Creek and Tooley Creek Subwatershed Study is an important first step in the process of planning for new development in undeveloped areas of the Municipality. It is being prepared to help balance ecological protection with land development opportunities, with the goal to protect and maintain a healthy ecosystem.

The Robinson and Tooley Watersheds are two of the smallest watersheds within the Municipality of Clarington and are especially vulnerable to the effects of changing land use and the impact of development.

The Robinson Creek watershed is situated almost completely within the Urban Area of Courtice. The Robinson Creek drains into Lake Ontario through the McLaughlin Bay Wetland Complex.

The north and south portions of the Tooley Creek watershed are located within the Courtice Urban Area. A small portion of the Tooley Creek Watershed, the uppermost headwaters, is located within the Provincial Greenbelt. The Tooley Creek drains into Lake Ontario through the Tooley Creek Coastal Wetland.

A Subwatershed Study provides detailed information about environmental features, such as streams, woodlots and wetlands, and provides recommendations for the protection and enhancement of these features. There are three phases in a Subwatershed Study.

Phase 1: Document existing environmental features and relationships (Completed in 2019).

Phase 2: Develop a management strategy. (Completed in 2023)

Phase 3: Outline recommendations for land use plans and identify any further studies. (Completed in 2023)

The Subwatershed Study will balance the natural and human environments in areas that are anticipated to experience urban development. These recommendations will guide the sustainable development of land.

Study reports

The Phase 1 Report has investigated and inventoried the existing natural resources that could potentially be impacted by urban development.  It has:

  • Identified and evaluated the location, extent, significance, and sensitivity of the existing natural features of the study area, together with their potential interrelationships with other features;
  • Identified sensitive areas and natural hazard lands, and recommended buffers and selected preliminary management practices for these lands; and
  • Developed preliminary constraints and opportunities mapping to identify developable and non-developable lands for inclusion in the Secondary Plans within the study area.

Robinson Creek and Tooley Creek Phase 1 Report (Aquafor Beech Limited, November 2019) – Available on request

The Phase 2 and 3 Report prepares a strategy that will allow for sustainable development by managing important natural areas and groundwater, and protecting against flooding and stream bank erosion. 

The identified Management Strategy (Chapter 7) considered existing conditions (Phase 1), the proposed land uses in the study area, and alternative stormwater strategies, and selected a preferred management approach. The recommended measures include actions to address stormwater management requirements, erosion, protection of the natural heritage system and associated ecological features, together with groundwater resources. The report includes an Implementation and Monitoring Plan (Chapter 8), presenting directions to ensure the study findings and recommendations are integrated into the Secondary Plans under development within the study area and any subsequent development applications.

Public Information Centres

Staff reports

Background documents

Stay informed and get involved

Get in touch with the project management staff at RTSubwatershed@clarington.net.

Contact Us

Address: 40 Temperance Street, Bowmanville, ON L1C 3A6

Phone: 905-623-3379
TTY: 1-844-790-1599

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