Summer-long Bronte Creek restoration project will affect conservation area

A project to improve the Bronte Creek’s habitat and water quality, as well as reduce flood risk, began this week at Carlisle Conservation Area.

Located in rural Hamilton, north of Burlington and west of Milton, Carlisle Conservation Area is a 69-acre area owned and managed by Conservation Halton.

The organization is beginning the physical part of the restoration project that was originally called for in the Bronte Creek Watershed Study in 2002.

Project designed started in 2022 and permits and funding were secured earlier this year.

The long-term benefits of the project include improvements to:

• water quality and groundwater recharge
• bank stability and reduced erosion
• recreational opportunities like bird watching
• natural buffers and heritage connectivity
• habitat and local biodiversity
• climate resiliency

During construction, which began Monday and is expected to last through the summer, the parking lot will be closed.

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Bronte Creek flows through Carlisle Conservation Area. In the 1960s, the creek was widened, straightened and dredged. This led to warmer water temperatures, increased erosion and sedimentation, and a reduction in the quality of aquatic habitat throughout and downstream of the property.

The modifications also increased the local flood risks by reducing the natural water absorption capacity of Bronte Creek.

Restoration of Bronte Creek will be conducted in two phases upstream and downstream of Centre Road.

Phase 1, upstream of Centre Road, will see excavation of wetland and salvage of vegetation for replanting; occurrence of a fish rescue within the isolated work area; removal of an invasive species of reed known as phragmites; use of excavated material, clean soil and logs to create new stream banks; planting of native species; and installation of habitat features, including riffles in the stream.

Phase 2 will be a continuation of Phase 1 activities downstream of Centre Road in 2025.