Improving Streams and Retrofitting Online Ponds
Restore and protect your waterways
Do you have a creek, river, or stream running through your property? Natural bank stabilization can help prevent erosion and protect your land, while planting along the water’s edge creates a healthier, more inviting habitat for turtles, birds, and fish.
If your pond is connected to a stream, it’s considered ‘online’ — which can warm the water and impact sensitive species. By taking your pond ‘offline’, often by redirecting the stream around it, you can improve water quality and create conditions where cold-water species like Brook Trout can thrive. And we’ll cover up to 50% of your project costs.
Improving Streams
50% of costs, up to $20,000
Protect your land and improve the health of your stream with natural, long-lasting solutions. Stream restoration projects help stabilize banks, reduce erosion, improve water quality, and create better habitat for fish and other aquatic life — all while working with nature, not against it.
Streambank stabilization using bioengineering techniques
Culvert removal
Natural channel design
Fish habitat improvement
Innovative projects meeting this category’s objective will be considered
Projects must reflect natural channel design principles and allow for unimpeded passage of fish and aquatic life.
All disturbed areas must be stabilized prior to removal of temporary erosion and sediment control measures. All dewatering material that may contain sediment must be filtered using Best Management Practices prior to discharging into the receiving waters.
The landowner will participate in project monitoring by providing seasonal post-construction photos of the site for a minimum of two years.
What’s covered?
Permits
Professional design fees
Material and labour associated with the approved project
What isn’t covered?
Taxes
Replacement of existing retaining walls or other structures
Gabion basket walls, steel retaining structures, concrete or solid retaining walls, armour stone
Stocking or removal of fish or other aquatic life
Enhancements for recreational or aesthetic purposes
Machinery or equipment owned and used by the applicant, family dependents or the applicant’s business
Labour of applicant, family dependents or the applicant’s business
If you have an outstanding violation with the Conservation Authority, you won’t be eligible for funding
Work that proceeds prior to funding approval does not qualify for funding assistance.
Please contact a Restoration Project Specialist to verify program eligibility and to answer any questions/concerns you may have about the program and/or the application process. This is a voluntary program and all calls are confidential.
Complete the Landowner Information Form and the Project Profile Form to submit an application, along with:
- Project site plan
- Two cost quotations from qualified contractors
Conservation Authority permit (if required)
Only complete applications will be considered for funding assistance.
Retrofitting online ponds
50% of costs, up to $20,000
Ponds connected to streams (‘online’ ponds) can warm the water and disrupt natural flow, making it harder for sensitive species to survive. Retrofitting these ponds — by redirecting flow, improving circulation, or restoring natural channel conditions — can help improve water quality, support fish habitat, and bring your stream back to a more natural, healthy state.
Dam, weir and culvert removal
Pond bottom draw conversion
Creation of pond by-pass channels
Natural channel design using bioengineering techniques and native trees and shrubs
Fish habitat improvement
Innovative projects meeting this category’s objective will be considered
By-pass channels and dam or weir removals must be designed to reflect natural channel design principles and must allow for unimpeded passage of fish and other aquatic life.
All disturbed areas must be stabilized prior to removal of temporary erosion and sediment control measures. All dewaterting material that may contain sediment must be filtered using Best Management Practices prior to discharging into the receiving waters.
The landowner will participate in project monitoring by providing seasonal post-construction photos of the site for a minimum of 2 years.
What’s covered?
Permit fees
Professional design fees
Material and labour associated with the approved project
What isn’t covered?
Taxes
Replacement of existing retaining walls or other structures
Gabion basket walls, steel retaining structures, concrete or solid retaining walls, armour stone
Pond maintenance, including dredging, removal of aquatic plants, or enlargement
Stocking or removal of fish or other aquatic life
Enhancements for recreational or aesthetic purposes
Machinery or equipment owned and used by the applicant, family dependents or the applicant’s business
Labour of applicant, family dependents or the applicant’s business
If you have an outstanding violation with the Conservation Authority, you won’t be eligible for funding
Work that proceeds prior to funding approval does not qualify for funding assistance.
Please contact a Restoration Project Specialist to verify program eligibility and to answer any questions/concerns you may have about the program and/or the application process. This is a voluntary program and all calls are confidential.
Complete the Landowner Information Form and the Project Profile Form to submit an application, along with:
Project site plan
Two cost quotations from qualified contractors
Conservation Authority permit (if required)
Only complete applications will be considered for funding assistance.
Get started today!
The process is simple. Identify a project that will improve your productivity and protect your land. Contact our restoration experts to book a free, confidential site visit to review your project and begin the application process.
Not sure what projects can support your business? Our Restoration Project Specialists can visit your property to help you identify opportunities.
Need information from an Restoration Project Specialist?
- Bradford West Gwillimbury (Holland Marsh)
- New Tecumseth
- York Region
- Aurora
- East Gwillimbury
- King
- Newmarket
- Whitchurch-Stouffville
- Georgina
- Barrie
- City of Kawartha Lakes
- Durham Region
- Brock
- Scugog
- Uxbridge
- Simcoe County
- Bradford West Gwillimbury (excluding the Holland Marsh)
- Innisfil
- Oro-Medonte
- Ramara
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