Flood Control Structures
Facts about Flood Control Structures
The TRCA owns and operates a number of large and small dams and flood control structures in order to control flooding. The two large dams are contained in the Don River watershed (G. Ross Lord Dam) and in the Humber River watershed (Claireville Dam). In addition to these large dams, there are eight small dams and twenty-three flood control structures across the jurisdiction that are owned and operated by the TRCA.
| Flood Control | Dams |
| Etobicoke Creek | |
| Long Branch | |
| Dixie/Dundas Channel | |
| Tyndall Nursing Home | |
| Brampton Diversion Channel | |
| The Brick on Dundas Dyke | |
| Etobicoke Creek Levee | |
| Mimico Creek | |
| Berry Road | |
| Mimico-Malton Channel | |
| Humber River | |
| Emery Creek Channel | Claireville |
| Bolton Channel and Dyke | Albion Hills |
| Lower Humber Channel | Palgrave |
| Scarlett Road Channel | Black Creek |
| Woodbridge Channel | Glen Haffy |
| Black Creek Channel | |
| Don River | |
| West Don at Sheppard | G. Ross Lord |
| York Mills Channel | |
| Massey Creek Channel | |
| YMHA | |
| Highland Creek | |
| Malvern Channel | |
| Rouge River | |
| Markham School Channel | Milne |
| Metro Zoo Channels | |
| Duffins | |
| Pickering/Ajax Flood Control Dyke | Osler |
| Stouffville Channel | Secord |
| Stouffville | |
Dams create surface reservoirs that store water for use at a later time. The reservoir water may be used for both off-stream (consumptive) uses such as irrigation, municipal and industrial; and for in-stream (non consumptive) uses such as power, recreational uses, flood control and wildlife habitat improvement. Low dams serve to regulate water levels in rivers by allowing water to spill over the dam as water levels increase.
Safety Tips Around Dams and Flood Control Structures:
- Stay well away from dams and other flood control structures.
- Avoid boating near dams.
- Do not attempt to walk across the tops of dams as there is a high potential to be carried away by swift currents.
- Avoid walking along the walls as these may be slippery, wet or icy.
- Heed warning signs near flood control structures.
