Brief description of the organization
A rural township in Northern Ontario with a population of ~2000 people, which includes the Hamlet of Bonfield, the Hamlet of Rutherglen, and a wider mixed-use rural area.
Problem area
The Hamlet of Bonfield is located on a hillside which drains in the general direction of Lake Nosbonsing and the Kaibuskong River. The Township has previously experienced damage to infrastructure as a result of surface water run-off, including a flash flooding event which occurred in 2008, and required the Township to seek provincial disaster relief funding in order to restore local roads and infrastructure, including Church Street.
In addition, surface water run-off resulting from heavy rainfall and snowmelt, among other factors (i.e. private on-site sewage systems) is potentially contributing to increased sedimentation and pollution within the lake, thereby affecting lake health and water quality in the local watershed. This is most evident through a recent increase in the frequency of Algae Blooms within Lake Nosbonsing.
Students will be given an opportunity to collaborate with staff representing the Township of Bonfield to research, develop, and design solutions to remedy this ongoing issue, and potential challenge to the Township.
Main objectives
To evaluate existing surface water draining arrangements within the Hamlet of Bonfield, and propose new resilient Green Infrastructure measures, including Low Impact Development solutions, through which, the Township and its residents can:
- Reduce the risk of damage to public and private property;
- Retain and reduce surface water run-off, minimizing the effects of flash flooding;
- Prevent surface water pollution; and
- Contribute to enhanced lake health and water quality within the local watershed.
Scope of work
- Research and evaluate existing drainage patterns, including an estimation of regular surface water volume and flow rates; and the effects of pollutants being released into the Watershed - plus their potential impact on water quality and lake health.
- Produce calculations based upon different scenarios, including modelling which accounts for regular surface water volumes and flows, and estimations of the potential impact of flash flooding based upon Climate Change models.
- Prepare GIS files to show the general position and alignment of existing drainage measures, and how these relate to public and private property within the subject area.
- Create other visual & plan-based information which clearly summarizes the key issues, constraints, potential risks, and opportunities available to both reduce surface water flow rates and increase surface water retention levels.
- Propose potential solutions, including opportunities to introduce new Green Infrastructure and Low Impact Development solutions. This may involve a review and summary of design standards, product specifications, estimated costs, and their appropriateness within a rural Northern Ontario context.
- Design and produce science communication-based materials which are easily understood, clearly summarize the project, describe the key issues, and outline the solutions which could be implemented.
- Research and summarize different funding opportunities which can be accessed in order to pay for potential projects;
- Prepare a Final Report which summarizes the project, issues, and opportunities.
- Present to Council on the processes involved, and the findings of the study; and
- Subject to Council approval and/or the receipt of funding - Participate in the future implementation of the proposed design response (though this is likely to be beyond the scope of the initial 8-month project).
Deliverables
- Initial ‘Kick Off’ Meeting - May 2026 (All participants)
- To review and discuss the scope of the project, including the subject area, and the proposed deliverables.
- Development of a Detailed Project Plan - June 2026 (All participants, including Business Management)
- Collaborate with staff representing the Township of Bonfield to:
- Troubleshoot any identified issues
- Address inquiries related to the project
- Refine the scope as necessary; and
- Produce a detailed Project Plan - including clear goals & timeframes for each deliverable.
- Collaborate with staff representing the Township of Bonfield to:
- Research and evaluate existing drainage patterns - June / July 2026 (Engineering)
- A short preliminary / update report which summarizes the project and the existing situation regarding drainage patterns.
- Produce calculations based upon different scenarios - July / August 2026 (Engineering / Climate / Environment)
- Charts and/or graphs which quantify existing surface water volumes and flows; and
- Estimates the potential extent of flash flooding by applying climate models.
- Prepare GIS files - September 2026 (Engineering / Surveying / Planning)
- Shapefiles and/or geodatabase format files which can be imported to the Council’s GIS system (CGIS) showing the position and alignment of existing drainage measures.
- Create other visual & plan-based information - October 2026 (Engineering / Surveying / Planning / Urban Design)
- An annotated layout / masterplan which summarizes the key issues and challenges, the risks, and potential opportunities within the subject area.
- Propose potential solutions - November 2026 (Engineering / Planning / Urban Design / Science Communication)
- Produce a Final Report (Minimum of 30 pages) which incorporates the above
information, plus:- Describes different forms of Green Infrastructure, including Low Impact Development solutions that can be applied within a rural Northern Ontario context;
- Includes information on design standards, product specifications, and estimated costs; and
- Refers to best practice examples from other named communities where the proposed solutions have been applied.
- Produce a Final Report (Minimum of 30 pages) which incorporates the above
- Design and produce science communication-based materials - November 2026 (Urban Design / Science Communication)
- Supplement the Final Report with a shorthand summary / booklet (maximum 8 pages) which summarizes the project and presents its findings in a more simplified manner that can be easily understood by the general public.
- Research and summarize different funding opportunities - November 2026 (Business Management / Economic Development)
- Produce a standalone report (Minimum 15 Pages) which summarizes existing and/or expected funding opportunities, including reference to grants, rebates and other incentives potentially available to the Township, and/or private landowners — should they seek to apply.
- Project wrap-up / Presentation to Council - December 2026 (Engineering / Climate / Environment / Planning / Urban Design / Science
Communication / Business Management)- Describe the various stages of the project, including:
- The background and scope of the study.
- The participants involved.
- The information gained; and
- The solutions proposed.
- Describe the various stages of the project, including:
- Implementation - Phase 2 (Potentially at a later date) (Engineering / Environment / Landscape Design)
- Subject to Council approval and/or the receipt of funding
- Participate in the implementation of the proposed design response, collaborating with representatives of the Township.
Team meeting frequency
Monthly
Skills and training required
- Stakeholder Engagement & Consultation
- Research & Development
- Modelling, Data Analysis
- Plan Preparation / Drafting
- Science Communication
- Written & Oral Communication
- Presentation Skills
Resources required
- Microsoft Office Suite / Geographical Information System(s) capable of transferring shapefiles and/or geodatabase format files / Climate Modelling software / Environmental Monitoring databases / Other Analytic Tools - to be determined.
- GIS base files / Background Studies & Reports / Databases / Other Information applicable to the subject area.
- The precise checklist of resources to be shared between different members of the Project Team can be discussed at the Project ‘Kick Off’ Meeting.