Latest news with #TRCA
CBC
5 days ago
- Health
- CBC
Heat, lack of oxygen likely caused fish to die in a west-end Toronto pond: province
Social Sharing Provincial officials have deemed the sudden die-off of hundreds of fish in Toronto's Topham Pond as a naturally occurring event due to high temperatures and a lack of oxygen in the water. It comes after park management and residents last week discovered the pond in Eglinton Flats park teeming with the remains of several small and large fish. While the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) is waiting to see water quality results, it agreed with the Ontario Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) that the fish likely died from a lack of oxygen and changing temperatures. "Similar incidents have previously occurred elsewhere within TRCA's jurisdiction, particularly in shallow ponds, and are often associated with low oxygen levels or changes in water temperature," read a TRCA statement. It added that water quality samples had been collected and that the TRCA would continue to identify the exact factors behind the fish die-off. WATCH | CBC's Mercedes Gaztambide explains what happened at Topham Pond: Fish are suddenly dying off at this Toronto pond 1 day ago Duration 2:03 You may have seen photos and videos on social media of a Toronto pond teeming with dead fish. As CBC's Mercedes Gaztambide explains, the reason why is still a mystery. In a statement, the MECP said its own test results found no indications of a chemical spill in the area that killed off the fish. It said it had supervised the city this week during a clean-up of the pond's dead fish and had collected additional samples to validate the TRCA's upcoming results. The ministry expects its own results to be available later in July. David Clark with Toronto Urban Fishing Ambassador, which according to its website promotes recreational fishing in Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area, says he spoke with the MECP to understand what he witnessed at the pond. In an email, Clark said he took pictures of an oil-like substance on the pond's surface, which the ministry said is the result of decaying organic matter in die-off events. He said the ministry also agreed with him that the presence of phragmites, an invasive grass that causes damage to wetlands and beaches in North America, was likely making the situation worse. Clark is recommending officials look at ways to improve pond conditions, for example by removing phragmites that impede water circulation, "as well as floating the idea of a fountain or two to improve pond circulation and oxygenation."
CBC
08-07-2025
- Climate
- CBC
Dead fish were found in a west-end Toronto pond. Authorities are trying to find out why
Provincial and local authorities are investigating after several dead fish were discovered in Topham Pond in Toronto's Eglinton Flats park over the weekend. Video on social media showed the pond's shoreline buzzing with flies and dotted with the remains of several small fish and a few larger fish. The Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) and Ontario Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks said an investigation is underway to determine the exact cause for the fish die-off, but that it could likely be a natural occurrence. "TRCA is working with the city to address this situation and have shared that recent temperature fluctuations in the past few weeks may be a natural cause of the dead fish in the pond," said the ministry in a statement. The ministry added there was no evidence of any chemical spills in the vicinity that could have caused the fish to die. Jacek Pawlikowski, a microbiologist who happened to be near Topham Pond on Tuesday, said other dead animals would have been found in the park had there been a chemical spill. Instead, he believes the fish died from algae blooms, a sudden overgrowth of algae in a short period of time, that eventually died and consumed the oxygen in the water. "Every year, we have some lack of oxygen and it's coming from the decaying algae… [which means] fish are dying," said Pawlikowski. "The blooming algae and then lack of oxygen at the last stage when they are decaying underwater is normal around the world." According to a Facebook post in the Toronto Fishing Club group, a family fishing event on Saturday was cancelled following concerns from the "significant" fish die-off and the resulting investigation. TRCA said in a statement that it would work closely with the City of Toronto for any necessary cleanup or remediation.
Globe and Mail
04-06-2025
- Business
- Globe and Mail
Conservation Authority's new headquarters leads by example
The Toronto and Region Conservation Authority's new building at 5 Shoreham Dr. passes the smell test. Not only does it possess the delicious aroma of a spruce forest, it has an ideology, a purpose and an ethos hewn into the reality of bricks-and-mortar – no, scratch that – into mass timber, advanced energy efficiency, and so many green building certifications. It is the Vantablack of green; the poster child of sustainability, the Muhammad Ali of the environment. Then again, if the TRCA doesn't lead by example, who will? 'We've taken almost every single sustainable technology you can imagine [and] we've put it into one space and showcased how it can be done,' says TRCA senior project manager Chris Ellis, who watched the 86,000-square-foot, four-storey headquarters grow from a hole in the ground in 2022. 'But not just so we can do it for ourselves … it's to demonstrate to developers, the private sector, [or local] residents who might say: 'I've heard about all of these different things, but …'' My only advice to any visitor to the building is this: unless you count yourself in the top five per cent of thinkers on sustainability, ask your guide to go slow. There's a lot to take in. Thankfully, Tisha Tan, TRCA program manager of community outreach and education, did just that during Doors Open last month. She asked everyone, 'to look up and tell me what they noticed. We've had a lot of really great discussions about the wood already, because the first thing people say [is], 'Wow there's a lot of wood in here.'' While the floor is concrete, pretty much everything above it is wood, whether walls, stairs, ceilings, or even the elevator core – something that's usually done in concrete. And save for flame-retardant coatings in some key areas, it's all been left untreated, says Mr. Ellis. 'A major motivator of this building was keeping things as raw and naturalized as possible.' One can almost feel the building breathe, its structure expanding and contracting with humidity or dryness. Actually, that's not entirely true. RJC Engineers built traction panels in between the mass timber beams, which can 'deflect upwards of an inch,' says Mr. Ellis. The BAS, or Building Automation System, is so finely tuned, so tentacled into every nook and cranny, it can sense tiny changes and correct them well before the humans inside notice. 'I started calling it the BOSS because it essentially runs the building,' says Ms. Tan with a laugh as she walks over to what looks like a plain ol' thermostat on the wall. 'These are sensors that are collecting localized data … and all of the sensors talk to each other. We have a weather station up on the roof as well, and that all feeds together so the building can figure out how to be as energy efficient as possible.' That means each light fixture is individually controlled to allow the BAS to decrease lumens on fixtures near windows filled with natural light and increase lumen output in the shadier parts. Exterior venetian blinds will spring into action if too much natural light is at risk of overheating the building. Heating and cooling are achieved via an open-loop geothermal system (water is pumped in from an aquifer, and then expelled back to the same area), which is cheaper to build and 15- to 20-per-cent more efficient than the more common closed-loop type. And, other than on the top floor, all mechanicals are housed under the floor. 'When that thermostat detects elevated carbon dioxide levels, the machines under the floor turn on, pressurize the plenum … and will actually distribute to that space fresh air. There are return grills that will draw air back in through the space, through the ERV (energy recovery ventilator). The ERV extracts any waste energy and then discharges the air through the tops of the solar chimneys.' Solar chimneys? They do more than expel hot air, so hold onto your hat. 'These are unique to us, in the entire world,' says Ms. Tan. She is standing beside what looks to be a glass elevator shaft, except inside are rows of perforated sheets of metal. When the BAS commands it, these sheets become a 'water wall' that is part of the HVAC system. So, other than ejecting hot air up and out, the air inside the columns (there are four in total) can be cooled by the water and used for air conditioning. 'When it's wintertime and that air is dry and cold, that water adds humidity back into that air, and in the summer when the air is really hot, that water is nice and cold, so it evaporates into that air,' finishes Ms. Tan. Impressive, but also huge. This author wonders if, perhaps, the TRCA are pioneering a technology that, one day, can be miniaturized and used in residential applications? 'I think you will absolutely see this technology be further refined,' Mr. Ellis says enthusiastically. 'We've found that it is very effective.' And, should the day come that it's no longer effective, TRCA employees can open a window. Overall, what the TRCA has done – with their team of ZAS Architects (with Dublin-based Bucholz McEvoy) and RJC Engineers – is put their money, tens of millions of it, where their mouth is with this spectacular building: it's LEED v4 Platinum (the highest certification), it's Zero Carbon-certified, it's situated beside the Black Creek Ravine (an ecosystem they protect), the energy-efficiency is off the charts, and it looks sexy. 'The warmth of a mass timber space is more than beautiful,' corrects Andrew Bayne of RJC Engineers. 'It's a bold, low-carbon solution that helps us actualize TRCA's commitment to an ultraefficient future.' An efficient future that, I must say, smells terrific.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Toronto faces coldest late-May in more than 50 years
The Maple Leafs haven't been the only disappointment in Toronto this May. Two-thirds of the way through spring, Mother Nature has decided to continue leaving Torontonians in the cold. CBC meteorologist Colette Kennedy says the city is experiencing its coldest late-May since (coincidentally) the last time the Leafs won the Stanley Cup — 58 years ago. Despite that, she says temperatures haven't been extreme. "Daily records for low temperatures at this time of year are around the freezing mark. Even with the chilly start we had on Tuesday, it was still just over three degrees," she said in an interview Thursday. "But still, a stretch of days this chilly in May we have not experienced since 1967." The cold weather comes just days after a warm Victoria Day weekend in the city, with temperatures soaring to 27 C. Kennedy says what's causing the cold, windy and wet weather is an area of low pressure currently parked over the city. She says it is slowly migrating east and is largely in a "stuck" pattern, meaning the wind is unable to move this weather along. She says overnight lows have been closer to seasonal, but daytime highs have been cooler than usual. "If we look at data for the 30-year period of 1991 to 2020, a seasonal daily high is 20 C, and we are struggling to reach even half of that," said Kennedy. Torontonians will see some improvement this weekend, but temperatures do not warm up until Monday, which will see a high of 18 C, according to Environment Canada. But Kennedy says people can still expect a warm summer in the city. According to Environment Canada's long-range temperature forecast for June, July and August, there's an 84 per cent chance temperatures in Toronto will be above average during those months, Kennedy says. The city's dealing with more than just cold this week. Toronto was placed under a rainfall warning on Thursday, as a total of 50 to 60 millimetres of rain was expected. Environment Canada said on Thursday that the rain is expected to continue into Friday with some additional amounts. The Toronto and Region Conservation Authority said in a statement Wednesday that flooding is not expected, but all rivers within the GTA could experience higher than normal water levels and greater flows due to the rainfall. The combination of slippery and unstable banks and changing water levels could create hazardous conditions near rivers or other water bodies, the agency says. "All shorelines, rivers and streams within the GTA should be considered dangerous as this rainfall will result in higher flows and rapidly changing water levels," said the TRCA. The TRCA is recommending people avoid all recreational activities in or around water at this time, including fishing, canoeing, and hiking, as conditions can change quickly. It is also asking people to avoid areas already experiencing erosion or blockages with debris, and keep children and pets away from banks, as they may be slippery and unstable.
Toronto Star
23-05-2025
- Climate
- Toronto Star
Rainfall warning in Toronto downgraded as drizzle, unseasonable cold to continue into the weekend
Toronto's rainfall warning was downgraded Thursday evening after Environment Canada had earlier cautioned the city could see up to 60 millimetres of rain through the day and a risk of flash floods during heavier downpours. The weather agency lowered the warning to a special weather statement, with a forecast for showers expected to last into the weekend in the city. On top of the days-long rainfall, Environment Canada said that the city could also experience the coldest late May temperatures since 1967 this week. The areas in Southern Ontario that are under a rainfall warning Thursday. Environment Canada How long will the rain last in the GTA? Thursday morning saw about 35 millimetres of rain dumped on the city, Environment Canada said in its rainfall warning. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW A pedestrian on Bay Street weathers the rain and cold on Thursday. Andrew Francis Wallace/ Toronto Star In its special weather statement published at 6:15 p.m., the weather agency added that Toronto could still see another 20 to 40 millimetres of rain by Friday evening, creating a hazard and persistent risk of localized flooding. Evening commuters at Union Station took to X to post photos of rain pouring onto the subway platform and pooling on the streetcar tracks. ' Torrential rain directly flooded Union. Oh my god, Toronto's infrastructure really needs to be improved,' one user wrote. Another X user shared photos of water pooling on the platform and collecting in the main building as people walked through it. The rain is connected to a slow-moving, low-pressure system that will continue to pass through the region into Friday, according to the statement. Umbrellas were a must in Trinity Bellwoods Park on Thursday as about 35 millimetres of rain came down on the city. Andrew Francis Wallace/ Toronto Star Parts of the Greater Toronto Area, including York and Peel Regions, are under the same special weather statement while Pickering, Oshawa and south Durham Region are still under a rainfall warning. The special weather statements in southern Ontario reach as far north as Parry Sound and as far east as Napanee. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW Flooding risks 'Heavy downpours can cause flash floods and water pooling on roads,' Environment Canada said, adding localized flooding is possible in low-lying areas. Rivers in the GTA could see high water levels and greater flows, the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority said in a watershed conditions statement on its website. Flooding isn't expected in TRCA watersheds that channel water into bigger bodies of water, the conservation authority added. Interactives Toronto's secret flood map: Your home could be at risk of flooding — and you'd never know As climate change worsens storms, many people don't realize they're in a flood-risk area. Use Torontonians are asked to avoid all recreational activities in and around water, take extra caution around shorelines and avoid areas that are already eroding, the TRCA added. The water safety statement is in effect until the end of Friday. Toronto 311 received multiple calls for overflowing manholes but had no reports of flooding, according to their neighbourhood tracking map. To see whether your home is in a flood-vulnerable zone, check out the Star's interactive map. How can you protect your home? You can also take steps to prevent basement flooding both outside and inside your home, the city said on its website. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW Outside of your home, Torontonians are advised to: Seal cracks or leaks, and seal all window wells Clear eavestroughs and downspouts of leaves and debris Disconnect downspouts from the sewer system, and inure they're draining properly Repair damaged weeping tiles, also known as a French drain Clear debris from nearby road grates to allow water to enter Make sure the shallow ditches between houses are free of obstructions Inside your house, residents are advised to understand and maintain the plumbing system, the city said. Avoid creating clogs by never flushing personal care products or dumping fats, oil and grease down drains. Gta How a simple trick with pantyhose can reduce the risk of flood damage to your home as Toronto braces for potential flooding Winter floods aren't common in southern Ontario, but can happen when temperatures fluctuate — The weather outlook After a rainy day on Thursday, Toronto will continue to see periods of rain with fog patches developing near midnight. Winds will pick up a bit to 20 km/h and a nighttime low of 8 C is expected. The fog will dissipate by Friday morning but the wind and periods of rain will continue, totalling up to 10 or 15 millimetres through out the day. There will be a daytime high of 12 C that will drop to 8 C at night. Skies will stay cloudy Friday evening with a 40 per cent chance of showers continuing into Saturday. There will be a high of 13 C, a low of 8 C and more cloudy periods at night. But by Sunday, some sunshine is expected to peek out with a forecast for a mix of sun and cloud, and high of 16 C. Cloudy periods will return at night with a low of 9 C.
