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Why You Should Get a Waterway Permit

There are many reasons why you should get a Waterway Permit. First and foremost, it is against the law to construct in the regulated area of the City’s Waterways without a permit. The Waterway Bylaw protects the Public from the adverse effects caused by unauthorized construction along riverbanks. Unauthorized works can result in riverbank failure and damage not only your property, but also neighboring properties and obstruct the flow of the waterway.

Some Common Do’s and Don’ts:

Deposition of Fill

  • DON'T deposit any material in the regulated area without a Waterway Permit. This includes any type of fill, such as soil, concrete rubble, and rock. A common perception is that indiscriminate deposition of fill will stabilize or regain back lost riverbank. This is NOT true; rather it will increase the chances of failure.

Riverbank photo

 
  • Unauthorized deposition may result in an order being issued by the City to remove the material and reinstate riverbank stability conditions at the owner’s expense.
 riverbank photo
  • DO obtain a Waterway Permit before depositing material. Properly placed rock fill can help reduce erosion and improve riverbank stability conditions
 riverbank photo

Construction

riverbank photo
  • DON'T start any construction in the regulated area including demolition of commercial and industrial buildings, dwellings, additions, garages, decks, or swimming pools without a Waterway Permit.
riverbank photo

 

  • DO consider obtaining professional advice from a Geotechnical Engineer to insure that your investment is protected and for purposes of providing documentation in support of a Waterway Permit.

Riverbank Stabilizationriverbank photo

 

  • DON'T start any works in the regulated area without a Waterway Permit. Consider obtaining professional advice from a Geotechnical Engineer in planning for any works to improve riverbank stability on your property.

 

riverbank photo

 

  • DO think about opportunities to include neighboring property owners in efforts to stabilize the riverbank. Bank failures do not respect property boundaries.

 

 

 

Riverbank Erosion and Massive Bank Failure Can Result in Loss of Property and Unsafe Conditions.

Bank Erosion Massive Bank Failure
riverbank erosion riverbank failure
 

Loss of Property
riverbank loss riverbank photo
 
riverbank loss

riverbank photo
 


Last update: January 31, 2012

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