TRCA VPR: Bridges, Culverts and Other In-Water Works

Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) · version October 31, 2021, Rev. 2.0

To be used together with the TRCA VPR General Submission Requirements Checklist and, if required, the Site Development, Grading and Earthworks Checklist, together with any comments previously submitted by TRCA specific to the project.

General submission requirements checklist

1	All items listed within the TRCA VPR General Submission Requirements Checklist.

Supporting documentation

Delineation of all relevant natural feature and hazard limits and watercourses on the drawings. Contact TRCA staff for a preliminary screening of existing features. Additional work to refine and identify limits may be required, such as:

Natural Heritage System (NHS)/dripline identification: may require a site visit with TRCA staff and a surveyor (TRCA Field Staking Protocol)
Physical top-of-bank identification: may require a site visit with TRCA staff and a surveyor
Long-Term Stable Top of Slope (LTSTOS) for a factor of safety of 1.5 through a Slope Stability Analysis, if development is near a slope steeper than 3H:1V and/or the watercourse is within 15 m of the toe of slope
Regional flood plain water surface elevations via TRCA data request, if available; a Flood Plain Analysis may be required if modelling is not available or impacts within the flood plain are proposed
100-year erosion limit and meander belt identification through a Meander Belt Analysis for any sites with an upstream drainage area greater than 100 ha or where bridges are proposed (TRCA Belt Width Delineation Procedures)
Shoreline hazard limit identification if within the Lake Ontario Shoreline regulated area, which may include a dynamic beach hazard limit through a Coastal Hazard Assessment report

If the proposed work involves in-water work

3	In addition to the General Checklist items, include in the Work Plan: Method and sequence for isolating in-water work, including how work will be completed "in the dry" (e.g. dam and pump, channel by-pass, flume, etc.), with supporting calculations Method and sequence for dewatering/unwatering the isolated watercourse and work area Fish removal plan for any sections of the watercourse requiring dewatering or unwatering
4	Detail design drawings, signed and stamped by a licensed professional, showing: In-water work area isolation, including how work will be completed "in the dry", with typical details and specifications (i.e. cofferdam details (no sandbags) including dam height; pump/channel/flume size and the rain event it can by-pass) (ESC Guide for Urban Construction) Detailed survey of creek bed, bank and thalweg Removals and Restoration Plan for channel bank and bed, with restoration plans, cross-sections and details
5	Include applicable TRCA Standard Notes on the drawings, including the standard flood contingency plan note and the appropriate construction timing window.
6	Hydrogeological report (Hydrogeological Assessment Submissions: Conservation Authority Guidelines for Development Applications)

If the proposed work involves lining an existing culvert, or extending or replacing an existing culvert or bridge

7	All requirements identified under "in-water work" above
8	Detail design drawings (plan and profile), signed and stamped by a licensed professional, showing: Size and type of proposed structure / length of extension, plan and profile, and cross-section details Details for the existing structure removal, if any Borehole locations, plan and profile
9	Hydraulic Assessment of the existing and proposed structure to confirm the proposed structure will not result in increased flood hazards, including: Hydraulic calculation results, including a digital copy of the input and output model files (if applicable) (e.g. HEC-RAS or 2D model files, etc.) Summary table comparing existing and proposed flood elevations and flow velocities for the Regulatory storm event and design storm events Technical memo outlining the existing and proposed conditions assessment (Technical Guidelines for Flood Hazard Mapping)
10	Natural Heritage Study by a qualified ecologist/biologist to confirm existing site conditions/past studies; assess potential impacts of development, construction methods and access; and demonstrate that impacts have been minimized to the extent feasible. Define the scope in consultation with TRCA staff.
11	Geotechnical report with recommendations to support the proposed design, assessment of slope stability, and mitigation measures to protect against the risk of erosion hazards and slope instability
12	If there are any changes to the size and configuration of the culvert or bridge from the EA, a Fluvial Geomorphologic study may be required.

If the proposed work involves watercourse modification or re-alignment

13	All requirements identified under "in-water work" above
14	Design Brief, including: Background information and project description, including rationale for the proposed modification Existing conditions, including fluvial geomorphology, terrestrial and fisheries resources
15	Detail design drawings (plan and profile), signed and stamped by a licensed professional, showing: Context plan showing site location, location of the watercourse (and any required re-alignment), Regional flood and fill lines Layout/configuration of the watercourse in plan and profile (including existing alignment and profile), and typical cross-sections Identification of low flow channel and bankfull channel Location plan of all model cross-sections used in the Hydraulic Analysis (i.e. if new sections are required beyond the existing conditions model)
16	Fluvial Geomorphologic Study, including existing channel characteristics and proposed channel alteration characteristics
17	Hydraulic Analysis, including: Flood elevations (existing vs. proposed, 2-year to Regional) Riparian storage (existing vs. proposed, to Regional Flood elevation) Baseflow estimates Velocity calculations Scour analysis if piers are proposed in the flood plain Erosion mitigation design and calculations for structure protection (i.e. riverstone sizing, etc.)
18	Natural Heritage Study by a qualified ecologist/biologist (as above). Define the scope in consultation with TRCA staff.
19	Erosion and Sediment Control report and drawings, also including: Construction timing and phasing In-stream construction practices (by-pass or diversion, dewatering) Erosion control (topsoil and materials stockpile and locations, stabilization of disturbed areas) Sediment control (perimeter controls, settling controls, filtration controls) In-stream controls Inspection, maintenance and monitoring requirements during construction
20	Post Construction Monitoring Plan for channel stability, aquatic and terrestrial habitat, etc.

Notes

21	No fees associated with VPR submission
22	Contact TRCA staff for a screening of site features/hazards
23	Obtain relevant computational modelling, mapping layers and data through a TRCA Data Request (modelling requests may take additional time). Relevant feature and hazard limits and the TRCA Regulated Limit should be included on the drawings. A completed and signed TRCA Data Disclaimer is required.
24	All TRCA guidance documents are available on the TRCA Planning and Permits website (trca.ca/planning-permits)
25	ESC Guide for Urban Construction and ESC Submission Checklist – Detailed Design: sustainabletechnologies.ca/home/erosion-and-sediment-control/esc-guide/
26	Supporting TRCA VPR-related information in your project records should also be referenced. Additional TRCA checklists and guidelines are available on the TRCA website. Consultation with the TRCA Planner to confirm requirements at the time of application is strongly recommended.

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