Chedoke Creek Municipal Class Environmental Assessments

The two MCEAs will focus on improving Chedoke Creek and water quality in the broader watershed:

Lower Chedoke Creek Enhancement MCEA
Focuses on improving water quality and naturalizing the creek between Highway 403 and Cootes Paradise. Potential improvements being explored include: 

• floating treatment wetlands;
• naturalized shorelines; and
• aeration technologies.

Chedoke Creek Watershed Stormwater Retrofits MCEA
Focuses on enhancing stormwater management and water quality in neighbourhoods in the Upper and Mid Chedoke Creek watershed. Potential improvements being explored include:

• stormwater management facility retrofits;
• rain garden installations; and
• other green infrastructure that help soak up stormwater before it reaches the natural environment. 

Both MCEAs will result in a detailed, costed implementation plan that outlines preferred solutions. The goal is to support the long-term health of the local environment, including downstream areas like Cootes Paradise, Hamilton Harbour, and ultimately Lake Ontario.

Background

In July 2018, the City of Hamilton informed the public that it had discovered that one of its combined sewer overflow tanks in the City was more regularly discharging combined sewage into Chedoke Creek. The City stopped the discharge, contacted the Provincial Spills Action Centre, and began clean-up activities in the area.

Since then, the City has been working closely with the MECP to investigate the incident, respond to Provincial Orders related to the spill, and support remediation efforts in the Chedoke Creek watershed and Cootes Paradise. One of these remediation efforts was the targeted dredging activities in Lower Chedoke Creek that was completed in late 2023. For details on the incident, the workplans and the Order visit www.hamilton.ca/ChedokeCreek

• Location: Chedoke Creek Watershed 
• Status: Active 
• Classification: Master Plan