The Neebing-McIntyre Floodway was the focus of a dredging operation in August 2000. Lakehead Conservation hired a contractor to perform the required maintenance dredging in the Floodway Channel to the west of Balmoral St. A large crane fitted with a clam-shell bucket excavated over 4000 cubic metres of sediment (enough to spread a metre-thick on a baseball diamond).

Removal of the sediment was necessary to maintain the flood control capabilities of the Floodway. Sedimentation had raised the bottom level of this section of the Floodway. The shallower depth meant that the Floodway could carry less water, especially during flood situations. The Floodway must be ready at all times to protect the Intercity area.

A rainfall event on May 8 and 9, 2000, hit Thunder Bay with a total of 46 mm of rain. That was enough to back water up behind the Diversion Structure on the Neebing River and send it down the Diversion Channel. Once again, the Floodway prevented damage to businesses and homes downstream on the Neebing River.

Lakehead Region Conservation Authority
P.O. Box 10427; 130 Conservation Rd.
Thunder Bay, ON  P7B 6T8 (Canada)
Telephone:(807) 344-5857  Fax:(807) 345-9156