If you own, manage or are renting a property within the Don Mills Channel area, your property and assets may be at risk due to flooding damage during intense thunderstorms.
The Don Mills Channel is a man-made channel that runs through the commercial & industrial section of the Woodbine Ave and Denison Street area. Several of the private properties and roads in this area are prone to flooding during large storm events. Major roads in the area, including Woodbine Avenue, can also be impassable during severe storms.
The reason this area is at higher risk of flooding is its limited capacity for carrying floodwater. The current system of storm sewers, open channels, and culverts was designed in the 1960’s to carry moderate storm events. The system does not have adequate capacity to handle stormwater during intense rainfall events.
Damage to property and assets may occur during severe thunderstorms and flooding.
The City of Markham has made significant infrastructure investments in flood control improvements. See here for the latest on the Don Mills Channel Flood Reduction Program.
The City has also developed a Floodprooing and Education Program to assist property owners and tenants within this area to identify site-management and floodproofing measures to protect their properties and assets against flood damage.