THUNDER BAY — For the first time in years, dredging operations are underway on the Neebing-McIntyre Floodway.
Crews are removing sediment from the bottom of the channel in a section that runs easterly from Fort William Road to the CPR bridge.
The Lakehead Region Conservation Authority says the work is necessary to further mitigate the risk of flooding.
This spring, water from the Neebing River had to be diverted into the floodway for 18 days due to unusually high water levels.
The last time the floodway was activated was about five years ago.
"When we did the sediment survey this winter it indicated it was time to dredge....We do dredge periodically to maintain the integrity of the floodway so it will continue to provide protection up to the regional storm level for the lower Neebing River and Intercity area," says Tammy Cook, CAO of the LRCA.
Dredging east of Fort William Road was last done 14 years ago.
Cook noted that the water level in the floodway is also highly dependent on the level of Lake Superior.
The dredging project is scheduled to be finished in September.
It's being done at a cost of $375,000, with half the amount covered by the City of Thunder Bay and half by the Ontario government under its Water Erosion Control Infrastructure program.
