TRACK 2, DAY 1
Flow Forward: Barrie’s Evolution in Managing Stormwater Infrastructure
Robert Amos, Aquafor Beech Ltd. and Jake Reid, City of Barrie
Tuesday, March 31, 2026 | 1:15 p.m. to 1:45 p.m. | Hall F
ABSTRACT
The City of Barrie has over 100 km of watercourses and 150 km of ditches which are important for conveying stormwater. Erosion from urbanization and stream channel straightening has created flooding risk for people and their livelihoods.
In 2020, a major storm event hit the City of Barrie which led to the emergency completion of numerous watercourse erosion related projects. The City decided to implement efficiencies to proactively address watercourse erosion issues within their watercourse erosion maintenance implementation structure.
Large multi-year projects were included in the City’s Capital Plan and small several day projects were performed by the City’s Operations department leaving a gap with “medium” projects. Previously, permitting and construction for this type of erosion projects was thus planned using hand sketches which only allowed for short-term solutions with limited benefits.
The City developed a contract and retained fluvial geomorphologist services to assist their Stormwater Operations Team in addressing these “medium” sized projects. Aquafor Beech was retained in March 2023 and has since completed nine (9) projects involving one or more of the following: erosion protection, slope stabilization, flooding and erosion assessment, channel realignment, sediment accumulation, spillway outlet retrofit, and culvert rehabilitation.
For projects assigned through this program, Aquafor has reviewed erosion risks through site visits and desktop analyses, created a database of erosion sites, performed risk assessments, generated design concepts, selected preferred alternatives, developed detailed designs, supported permitting applications, created implementation plans including cost-efficiencies, and provided tendering and construction supervision support.
Collaboration with the Stormwater Operations Team has also been key to ensuring successful project completions and integration of external funding criteria.
Fluvial Geomorphologist Services has been paramount in increasing efficiencies of the erosion mitigation process through long term engineered designs that are cost-effective and meet regulatory requirements. The City is now investigating the creation of a Construction Roster to further increase the efficiency of the project implementation process.
ABOUT THE PRESENTERS
Robert Amos, Aquafor Beech Ltd.
Robert Amos is a water resources engineer and fluvial geomorphologist specializing in the restoration of degraded natural channel systems within confined urban corridors to mitigate erosion and flooding related risks to infrastructure and private property.
He has over 15 years of professional experience, has completed over 100 erosion control and stream restoration projects and currently serves as the CEO of Aquafor in Ontario, Canada.
Jake Reid, City of Barrie
Jake Reid has 15 years’ experience with the City of Barrie, specializing in stormwater management and municipal operations, and is passionate about turning complex challenges into meaningful impact.
He holds a Master of Science in Environmental Practice and has shared his expertise through teaching and presentations across the country. Inspired by the complexity of municipal work, Jake approaches every challenge as an opportunity for growth and advancement.