Restoring Belfountain Conservation Area
We restored Belfountain Conservation Area to help protect and manage the natural and cultural heritage of the property.
Project Overview
In 2017, the Minister of Environment approved CVC’s Environmental Assessment to restore a portion of the West Credit River. This is part of Phase 1 of implementing the Belfountain Conservation Area Management Plan. The first phase of the construction started June 2021.
We remved the headpond and replaced it with a new 180 metre natural channel in the West Credit River. We also lowered the Belfountain dam by one metre to improve its structural stability and enhance public safety. This project helps to improve the overall health of the river by increasing flow and cooling the water, which benefits the native brook trout population.
Once the dam and channel construction were complete, we planted 12,000 native trees, shrubs and plants to create new habitat and help protect species at risk.
We built a new flood-resilient heritage gardens in the former headpond area of the park. This new infrastructure is designed to withstand flooding and climate change impacts. Park visitors have access to the water’s edge through the new 1,500 square metres of heritage gardens.
We also preserved and restored the Mack Park cultural heritage features, including the historic fountain, stone masonry walls, and the former swimming pool, which is converted to a lily pond. Further additions in the Heritage Gardens area include better historical interpretation, a new dry-stone wall feature of Credit Valley sandstone, as well as a new lookout with a playful fox sculpture.
A new 22 metre span pedestrian bridge was installed to replace the aging concrete bridge. We built a new 350 metre boardwalk trail and over 100 metres of trails in the heritage gardens. We also upgraded 275 metres of the Gorge Loop and Trimble Trails.
Photo Gallery
See the progress that’s happening in this critical restoration project at Belfountain Conservation Area
Dam and Channel Restoration
![A picture containing tree, outdoor, ground, rock and a dam face](https://files.cvc.ca/cvc/uploads/2021/07/2-River-is-diverted-through-the-sluiceway-and-the-dam-face-is-exposed.jpg)
![people with net and waders in a river with a boat and trees in the background](https://files.cvc.ca/cvc/uploads/2021/07/3-CVC-staff-conducting-fish-rescue-after-the-river-was-diverted.jpg)
![Bags lined up along the edge of a river with a backhoe and dump truck in the background](https://files.cvc.ca/cvc/uploads/2021/07/4-Meter-bags-in-place-sediment-is-removed-while-new-clean-fill-is-brought-to-the-site.jpg)
![A picture containing tree, outdoor, ground and an excavator digging at the river's edge](https://files.cvc.ca/cvc/uploads/2021/07/5-Sediment-removal-continues-begin-the-meter-bag-coffer-dam.jpg)
![Overhead view of a dry riverbank and dam with a river diverted beside it](https://files.cvc.ca/cvc/uploads/2021/07/6-Drone-Shot-Getting-ready-to-sawcut-the-dam-Sediment-has-been-removed-and-channel-is-forming.jpg)
![stones and soil with heavy equipment in the background](https://files.cvc.ca/cvc/uploads/2021/07/7-The-new-channel-edge-is-being-formed.jpg)
![an exposed dam face with people standing on the dry riverbed as they work on the dam](https://files.cvc.ca/cvc/uploads/2021/07/8-The-dam-cap-has-been-removed-the-sluiceway-on-the-left-will-be-removed-later-in-the-project.jpg)
![soil of a newly created riverbed with trees in the background](https://files.cvc.ca/cvc/uploads/2021/07/9-Edge-of-the-new-channel-is-formed-and-planted.jpg)
![an exposed dam face with people standing on the dry riverbed as they work on the dam](https://files.cvc.ca/cvc/uploads/2021/07/10-13-rock-anchors-have-been-installed-and-conrete-form-work-has-started.jpg)
![soil, rocks and branches piled at the side of a newly created riverbank](https://files.cvc.ca/cvc/uploads/2021/07/11-New-channels-and-brush-piles-being-formed-along-the-bank.jpg)
![a wood structure with metal pieces lined across it](https://files.cvc.ca/cvc/uploads/2021/07/12-Rebar-in-place-for-the-new-cap-and-ready-to-pour.jpg)
![A picture containing outdoor, ground, soil and meter bag around a pond that where sediment is being removed](https://files.cvc.ca/cvc/uploads/2021/07/1-Starting-to-remove-the-pond-sediment-to-form-the-temporary-diversion-channel.jpg)
![aerial view of a river and dam with a foot bridge and construction work happening beside the river](https://files.cvc.ca/cvc/uploads/2021/11/16-Arial-shot-of-the-completed-dam-and-heritage-gardens-in-progress-300x300.jpg)
![water falling over a dam with a river in the background and heavy equipment](https://files.cvc.ca/cvc/uploads/2021/11/15-Completed-dam-and-lower-channel-300x300.jpg)
![concrete wall of a dam with soil and water in the background and an excavator](https://files.cvc.ca/cvc/uploads/2021/11/14-Dam-extension-poured-300x300.jpg)
![concrete buttress reinforcements along a retaining wall](https://files.cvc.ca/cvc/uploads/2021/11/13-Buttress-reinforcement-along-the-existing-retaining-wall-300x300.jpg)
Heritage Gardens Construction
![two people on a scaffolding restoring a fountain](https://files.cvc.ca/cvc/uploads/2021/07/1-Restoration-in-progress-on-the-fountain-1024x960.jpg)
![close up of a section of a fountain that's being restored with scaffolding in the background](https://files.cvc.ca/cvc/uploads/2021/07/2-Concrete-cap-being-removed-to-show-the-original-fountain-stonework-1024x960.jpg)
![an old stone fountain with trees and a river in the background](https://files.cvc.ca/cvc/uploads/2021/07/3-Fountain-restoration-nearing-completion-1024x969.jpg)
![old stone stairs and a dirt pathway](https://files.cvc.ca/cvc/uploads/2021/07/4-Stone-steps-being-restored-throughout-the-park-1024x960.jpg)
![flat stone floor with a man bent over working on it](https://files.cvc.ca/cvc/uploads/2021/07/5-Lily-pond-rebar-in-place-1024x960.jpg)
![concrete pad with stone wall that is under construction and has trees in the background](https://files.cvc.ca/cvc/uploads/2021/07/6-Lily-pond-restoration-and-stone-wall-in-progress-1024x960.jpg)
![wood structure used to show how a stone path is being leveled with a person standing beside it](https://files.cvc.ca/cvc/uploads/2021/07/7-Levelling-stone-in-place-for-the-dry-stone-wall-1024x960.jpg)
![construction workers laying a stone wall in a park with heavy equipment in the background](https://files.cvc.ca/cvc/uploads/2021/07/8-Stone-wall-construction-in-progress-1024x960.jpg)
![stone wall being laid in a park with construction workers and an excavator in the background](https://files.cvc.ca/cvc/uploads/2021/07/9-More-progress-on-the-stone-wall-1024x969.jpg)
![a stone wall being build beside a river with a boardwalk lookout in the background](https://files.cvc.ca/cvc/uploads/2021/07/10-Completed-sections-of-the-stone-wall-1024x960.jpg)
![a river with a piece of land and trees in the background with construction equipment](https://files.cvc.ca/cvc/uploads/2021/07/11-Pump-truck-on-site-to-pour-the-fox-folly-foundation-1024x795.jpg)
![river with a boardwalk and lookout structure and trees in the background with a fox sculpture](https://files.cvc.ca/cvc/uploads/2021/07/13-Fox-folly-nearly-complete-with-railing-1024x969.jpg)
Bridge and Trail Upgrades
![construction workers installing a boardwalk in a forested area](https://files.cvc.ca/cvc/uploads/2021/07/1-Installing-new-mircopile-supports-for-the-boardwalk-1024x960.jpg)
![a wood frame platform being installed beside a river](https://files.cvc.ca/cvc/uploads/2021/07/3-Framing-for-new-lookout-1024x960.jpg)
![construction workers installing a boardwalk beside a river](https://files.cvc.ca/cvc/uploads/2021/07/4-Boardwalk-construction-in-progress-1024x960.jpg)
![a boardwalk beside a river with trees in the background](https://files.cvc.ca/cvc/uploads/2021/07/6-Restoration-plantings-in-progress-throughout-the-park-1024x960.jpg)
Upcoming Events
Belfountain News
![Person kneeling down to about person on an outdoor stage.](https://files.cvc.ca/cvc/uploads/2023/02/ILCAEngagementJuly2021-scaled-2-1024x1024.jpg)
Happy Valentine’s Day! Nature is the perfect place to celebrate your love. Whether that’s a walk through the …
Belfountain Conservation Area Restoration Project Continue Reading
![Birds-eye-view of bridge over river](https://files.cvc.ca/cvc/uploads/2022/08/Belfountain-drone-photo-1024x1024.jpg)
There’s So Much to Explore Have you explored Belfountain Conservation Area yet? The park re-opened in June after …
Belfountain Conservation Area Restoration Project Continue Reading
![Ariel view of river at Belfountain Conservation Area](https://files.cvc.ca/cvc/uploads/2021/11/Belfountain-restoration-1024x1024.jpg)
It’s been a busy year at Belfountain Conservation Area. We’ve been working hard to complete a critical restoration …
Belfountain Conservation Area Restoration Project Continue Reading