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Dams breached by heavy rain, affects Creosote cleanup project

On Saturday afternoon, the synthetic and earth water dams, used for the Junction Creek Creosote project, were breached as a result of major rainfall. Environment Canada reported that Greater Sudbury received 35 mm of rain on Saturday.
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It takes a whole community to clean-up creosote from Junction Creek. At the excavation site pictured left to right are Kevin Shaw, manager of construction services, City of Greater Sudbury, Tony Cecutti, engineer with Earthtech and Carrie Regenstreif, special projects manager with Junction Creek Stewardship Committee. Photos by Marg Seregelyi 2007.

On Saturday afternoon, the synthetic and earth water dams, used for the Junction Creek Creosote project, were breached as a result of major rainfall.

Environment Canada reported that Greater Sudbury received 35 mm of rain on Saturday. The high level of precipitation elevated the Junction Creek water levels which in turn breached the water dams, said a news release.

The water flowed over top of the dams and into the dry excavated portion of Junction Creek. The creek water then flowed to the excavation area and some of the excavated soil was washed downstream of the construction site.

The Ontario Ministry of Environment and the Nickel District Conservation Authority were informed of the situation.

"The City is working with the project consultant and contractor to restore the dams. Granular materials are currently being stockpiled at the site and reconstruction of the dams is expected to commence on Monday morning," said Greg Clausen, the City's general manager of infrastructure services.

The city is working with the Ontario Ministry of Environment to determine what type of action may be required downstream of the site.

The $3 million project was commenced to remove soil contaminated with creosote from the banks of Junction Creek in Sudbury's west end. The project area is downstream of a former creosote plant, which was located north of the CPR tracks ans south of Lorne St., in the vicinity of Webbwood Dr.


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