background information and challenge
Each year, lakefront home and cottage owners in Ontario face off with the forces of Mother Nature. Spring flooding and significant rain events are becoming more common, and the construction of homes and cottages in close proximity to water bodies makes these locations vulnerable to variable water levels. Homeowners often are left to fend for themselves without insurance coverage to protect their properties from rising waters, at significant risk and expense. Property owners will often use sandbags, which the municipalities provide in some cases, to create temporary flood control berms, which require significant time, labor, and money to construct. Once the high water conditions subside, significant clean-up is necessary to return the sand and bags to the landfill, as this material can be classified as contaminated soil.
Each year, one homeowner faced a similar situation. The picturesque lakefront property on Young Lake in Sebright, Ontario, was often threatened by high water levels during the spring thaw. Each year, the owner would enlist the forces of their children and neighbors to construct a flood control barrier using hundreds of sandbags. On average, it took approximately 4500 sandbags to build a 3′ high x 100′ long sandbag cofferdam. The owner was introduced to the AquaDam® Rapid Response System displayed at Battlefield Equipment Rentals in Bracebridge, Ontario. They reached out to Layfield to collect more information on the system and assessed the property for feasibility and budget for the supply and installation of an AquaDam® Flood Control System.
During the Spring of 2016, the lake levels returned to alarming levels, and the threat of flooding was again present. The owner dreaded the idea of having to construct another sandbag cofferdam to protect their home, not to mention the significant labor, cost, and time off work required to build the temporary dam. They decided to contact their local AquaDam® Application Specialist this time and inquire about the availability of flood control dams to protect their home.
Timeline of Events
- March 31, 2016 – 10:45 am Owner contacted Layfield and inquired about the AquaDam® Flood Control System. A preliminary discussion about feasibility, urgency, and site conditions took place. An AquaDam® Assessment form was provided to the homeowner.
- 12:00 pm The AquaDam® Assessment form was completed and returned to Layfield for review.
- 12:30 pm Layfield AquaDam® Application Specialist reviewed the application and provided a quotation for supply and installation services for approximately. 150′ of 3′ high AquaDam®
- 1:30 pm The client placed the order with Layfield.
- 2:30 pm Layfield installation crews mobilized to the site, approximately 90 minutes north of Toronto, with the necessary fuel, 3′ Gas-Powered Pumps, and AquaDam® Flood Control Dams to protect the home.
- 4:00 pm Layfield Rapid Response crews arrived on site and began deployment.
- 6:30 pm Flood Control AquaDam® was installed on site to protect the home.
- Midnight, April 1, 2016– A significant thunderstorm and rainfall event passed through the Orillia area during the evening. There was 8″ of water up against the AquaDam® the next day that would otherwise have flooded the owner’s basement.
Solution and results
Layfield AquaDam® Flood Control was delivered within 4 hours of the client contacting Layfield and completing the AquaDam® application assessment form. The system was delivered to the site and deployed to defend the home from rising water levels. We encourage flood risk property owners to assess their sites to determine the feasibility of AquaDam® to help protect their property. The AquaDam® is a site-specific flood control tool designed to be installed by the owner in advance of approaching high water. Having an action response plan in place with an AquaDam® on site will increase your chances of successfully defending against the effects of flooding. If you live in a vulnerable area that may be subject to flooding, we highly recommend contacting Layfield and completing the AquaDam® assessment form to assess the site suitability for an AquaDam® Flood Control System.
