We’re Updating our Regulation Mapping
Credit Valley Conservation has a regulatory responsibility to protect people and property from natural hazards associated with flooding, erosion and unstable slopes while protecting valley lands, watercourses, wetlands and the Lake Ontario shoreline. We do this by regulating development activities and interference in what is called the regulated area.
We’re updating our regulation mapping to conform to requirements of the Conservation Authorities Act and Ontario Regulation 41/24.
Draft Regulation Mapping
What is Regulation Mapping?
Regulation mapping is a tool that shows where natural hazards such as flooding and erosion can occur in the Credit River Watershed. Properties located in a regulated area, may require approval (a permit) from CVC before starting a project. Learn more about activities that may require a permit.
In accordance with the Conservation Authorities Act and Section 2 of Ontario Regulation 41/24, the regulated area is made up of natural hazards and features, such as rivers, streams, floodplains, wetlands, valley lands, and Lake Ontario shoreline plus a regulatory allowance. The preparation of regulated area maps is governed by Section 4 of Ontario Regulation 41/24.
How was the Draft Regulation Mapping Updated?
We updated the regulated area maps by compiling information from various sources which together inform the delineation of hazardous lands in the Credit River Watershed. Mapping is updated using the following analysis and data sources:
- Analysis of aerial photos to identify location of features such as wetlands and watercourses
- Review and analysis of LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) imaging which is a remote sensing method used to generate precise information about the Earth’s shape and surface characteristics
- Visiting sites to see conditions on the ground
- Preparation of engineered floodplain mapping and estimated floodplain mapping by CVC and external engineering consultants
- Delineation of riverine erosion hazards by CVC with assistance from a consultant – Note: we are currently completing a comprehensive erosion hazard assessment and this work will further refine the erosion hazard limits and will be used to update regulated area mapping in the future
- Identification of Lake Ontario shoreline hazards prepared by a coastal engineering consultant
- Delineating wetland limits based on Ministry of Natural Resources and CVC technical reports, mapping and other data sources which include site reconnaissance and aerial photo analysis
- Mapping of watercourses by CVC using aerial photos and site reconnaissance
What’s Included in the Update?
- We updated floodplain mapping based on CVC board approved flood hazard studies.
- A coastal engineering consultant peer reviewed the shoreline hazard study to ensure Lake Ontario hazards are still accurate.
- We updated the wetland layer using aerial photography, Ministry of Natural Resources, CVC, and consultant data together with site verification.
- We updated the watercourse layer using latest available aerial photographs.
When Was the Last Time the Regulation Mapping was Updated?
CVC’s previous watershed wide comprehensive regulated area mapping update was completed in 2012. Additionally, we completed a conformity exercise in May 2024. The conformity review focused on reducing the regulated area around Provincially Significant Wetlands from 120 metres to 30 metres in order to address changes in the Conservation Authorities Act and release of the new Ontario Regulation 41/24 that came into force on April 1, 2024.
This current comprehensive update builds on the conformity exercise and includes updates to hazard layers.
How Has the Regulated Area Changed?
Between 2012 and 2025, including the conformity exercise completed in May 2024, there has been a 14.1 per cent decrease in the area CVC regulates in the watershed. This amounts to 4,759 hectares reduction in the overall area we regulate.
| Year | Hectares Regulated (ha) | Change (percentage) |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 33,710 (ha) | n/a |
| 2025 | 28,687 (ha) | -14.9% |
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