The Couchiching First Nation is located in northwestern Ontario along the western shores of Rainy Lake, about 5 km northeast of Fort Frances.
Couchiching First Nation is highly susceptible to pooling and flooding during large precipitation events. This is due to their high groundwater table and relatively flat natural topography throughout the community. The existing stormwater infrastructure consists of ditches and culverts, which create an artificial drainage system and help maintain the groundwater table. However, because there is little to no topographic relief, the drainage system is vastly inadequate. The roads in which the drainage infrastructure run along are either gravel or surface treated, which can be prone to flooding/washout issues.
The Consultant will be hired to do a comprehensive complete stormwater management system upgrade for Couchiching. In the Conceptual Design Stage, the consultant will complete a thorough investigation of the stormwater management system, including a third-party topographical survey. The existing system consists of approximately 5260 ft of culverst (approximately 110 culverts), and 27 km of road with ditches (ie 54 km of ditching).
The recommended solution of work is expected to include the following:
- Include information on precipitation and climate, and Rainy Lake high water and flood levels, and historical community information, when completing stormwater system works
- Complete hydraulic modeling of the stormwater system
- Erosion control around the arena to prevent gravel from flowing into the stormwater system and blocking culverts.
- Replace broken or damaged culverts; increase culvert sizing as appropriate / needed
- Regrade driveways and swales with proper structure and slope to direct stormwater to ditches and culverts;
- Clear and grub ditches where required;
- Regrade ditches and outfall to improve drainage, eliminate pooling, and direct stormwater to appropriate discharge locations;
- Increase ditch and culvert sizes to reduce possibility of large volumes of stormwater runoff concentrating in one location;
- Consider measures to improve effluent water quality and reduce suspended solid loading to Rainy Lake
- Identify any emergency repair work that is needed for Summer 2023
- Provide solutions that will improve and maintain proper drainage and keep the community free of water accumulating where it should not be accumulating.
These upgrades are essential in order for the Couchiching First Nation to continue to grow and develop their community without being hindered by the stormwater issues that they currently face.
