Jackson Creek Floodplain Mapping Study - Downtown Peterborough
Otonabee Conservation has completed a new floodplain mapping study for Jackson Creek located in the City of Peterborough. Jackson Creek flows through the historically built up downtown of Peterborough and many of its reaches are buried under buildings and bridges. This historical development has exacerbated flooding conditions during big rain events, including the 2004 storm which spilled out across the downtown causing major flood damage. The draft floodplain mapping is now available for viewing. Comments can be made within the map viewer and will be received until June 2, 2025.
Otonabee Conservation is hosting a Virtual Open House to share the mapping and present on how it was created and why, and to provide a demonstration on how to use the interactive map tool. This will be held on Wednesday, May 7, 2025 at 12pm. If you wish to be present at the live presentation please register beforehand.
Floodplain mapping information is critical to help identify areas that may be at risk of flooding during severe storms, to assist the community with emergency preparedness, and is also an important municipal land use planning tool.
Updates to floodplain mapping can result in:
• a better understanding of flood risk to people and property to assist the community with emergency preparedness.
• a reduction in effort, cost and time for development application review compared to those in flood prone areas without accurate mapping.
• a reduction in studies required by a proponent to undertake in advance of development.
• increased accuracy of floodplain for different flood events which can be used to identify flood prone properties and municipal infrastructure for notification, inspection and/or evacuation during a flood.
• improved land use planning.
The study was initiated in 2022. This study applies the findings of the Jackson Creek Floodplain Mapping Project completed previously in 2020 to produce a new 2D hydraulic model which better represents the complex flow paths of floodwaters through the urban areas of the downtown. The new mapping provides more accurate and precise floodplain depths and velocities for a better understanding of the flood risk and those areas affected.
The study was funded in part by the City of Peterborough.