Case studies on erosion control across Canada

CANIECA President Chris Thomson opens the day and welcomes attendees to the 5th Annual Virtual CANIECA Cross-Canada Conference.

An overview of various risk-based assessments, including RUSLE, MTO, and TRCA hybrid approaches, applied to a development area in Seaton, Pickering.

For nearly five decades, creek and waterway restoration has evolved from simple erosion control measures to complex, multidisciplinary projects that balance environmental stewardship, regulatory requirements, and constructability. Drawing on the lived experience of a contractor rooted in the industry since 1976, this presentation offers a practical, boots-on-the-ground perspective on how the field has changed — and where it is heading.

The session will highlight lessons learned from decades of field execution, including what works, what doesn't, and how collaboration between designers, regulators, and contractors can lead to more successful outcomes.

Attendees will gain a deeper appreciation for the contractor's role in delivering resilient, naturalized waterway solutions, and leave with practical insights that can improve project planning, design, and execution.

Incorporating live, function-focused biological bacteria and bio-stimulants for fast and effective cover establishment.

Erosion and sediment control (ESC) practices continue to evolve alongside advancements in construction methods and regulatory expectations. While technologies and design approaches play a critical role in managing site conditions, the success of ESC implementation ultimately depends on effective communication among project stakeholders.

This presentation highlights the importance of clear, timely, and coordinated communication between inspectors, contract administrators, contractors, and project owners in achieving successful ESC outcomes. Drawing from practical field experience, it demonstrates how consistent reporting, proactive dialogue, and collaborative problem-solving ensure that control measures are properly installed, maintained, and adapted throughout all phases of construction.

Real-world examples illustrate that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to ESC site management, and that miscommunication often poses greater risks than technical limitations. Ultimately, effective ESC monitoring is not just a technical exercise, but a communication-driven process. When all stakeholders are informed, engaged, and accountable, projects are better positioned to reduce environmental impacts while maintaining construction efficiency and compliance with permit requirements.

Join Joel Kennedy from Flex MSE as he helps mitigate severe erosion and slope instability along Cape Breton roadways, driven by harsh weather, runoff, and challenging site conditions.

Flex MSE provides a durable, vegetated retaining solution that stabilizes slopes, controls erosion, and integrates naturally into the landscape — delivering long-term performance while reducing maintenance and environmental impact.

In 2010 an inadvertent oil release adjacent to a fish-bearing creek at Viden, Manitoba required emergency mobilization from Ontario within 24 hours of the incident to isolate the spill zone and protect fish and fish habitat. Over the following 12 hours a solution was reached with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) and Manitoba Environment to temporarily divert the creek and remove the entirety of the reach through the spill zone to facilitate containment and clean-up. As part of site restoration, a replacement reach was designed and constructed using natural channel design principles that leveraged bioengineering techniques.

The presentation discusses the challenges encountered during the initial response through to the development of a site restoration plan and channel reconstruction. Post-construction performance of the channel and riparian restoration are examined through time based on the initial two years of post-construction monitoring through to present day, including the channel's response to a massive (greater than 1:400) storm event in the third year.

Chris Thomson presents a case study from a highway project where a collapsed culvert forced reconstruction of long, steep slopes beside the St. John River. He details how biotic soil amendments were combined with hydraulic erosion control to stabilize the slope, improve soil performance, and support vegetation establishment — offering proven approaches for managing erosion on steep, high-risk sites in environmentally sensitive, regulated areas.

Attendees will gain practical insights and proven approaches for managing erosion on steep, high-risk sites in environmentally sensitive, regulated areas.

Caroline Serhal draws on more than 20 years as a professional geoscientist across Ontario, the Northwest Territories, and Nunavut, including work as a key team member on two of the largest mine remediation projects in northern Canada. She shares the specific challenges — and what has worked — for erosion and sediment control in northern and mine-management settings.

Traditionally, many, if not most, BMPs used in erosion control have been manufactured from non-biodegradable plastics. Recently, more research has been conducted, indicating the extent to which microplastics are entering the environment. This has sparked a discussion within our industry about the potential reduction in plastic use and which biodegradable alternatives are available. Today's discussion will cover where biodegradables are available as BMPs and where they make the most sense to use.

A closing panel bringing together perspectives from across manufacturing, agronomy, contracting, and materials — open discussion and audience questions on the themes of the day.

Closing remarks and thanks from CANIECA's President.