2. EXISTING CONDITIONS 

2.1 BROADWAY DRAIN EXISTING CONDITIONS

Broadway Drain is located directly to the south of the proposed plaza. This watercourse is listed as a type F municipal drain, indicating that it is intermittent. A number of fish that prefer both cool and warm water thermal regimes are known to exist in the drain as well as in adjacent watercourses (Detroit River). A listing of fish species known to be within the Broadway Drain and adjacent areas can be found in Table 1. The Broadway Drain flows west along the south side of Broadway Street and continues west past Sandwich Street where it eventually drains into the Detroit River. A gravel beach area exists at the outlet of the drain to the Detroit River, and although there was a direct connection observed between Broadway Drain and the Detroit River during 2015-2016 investigations, this gravel beach area may present a barrier to fish movement into Broadway Drain during low flow periods. The gravel area found at the outlet of the drain is dynamic in nature and may change based on several factors such as, but not limited to, flow or changing water levels. The field investigations carried out by Morrison Hershfield in 2010 found that there were flows throughout the Broadway Drain channel and this was also confirmed during 2015-2016 construction inspections. It was determined that this watercourse supports a seasonal fish community when flows in the Detroit River are high enough to allow fish to migrate upstream over the gravel beach area at the outlet.

The 2010 investigations of Broadway Drain determined that only the reach downstream of Sandwich Street was considered fish habitat, however, during high flow periods it is possible that fish could access portions of the drain upstream of Sandwich Street. The watercourse is channelized throughout, the substrate consists of primarily detritus, and the riparian vegetation consists of trees, shrubs and phragmites. There are numerous areas of active bank erosion. The existing fish habitat is considered marginal; however, habitat enhancement opportunities may increase the drains productive capacity.

In addition to the information gathered during the 2010 investigations, 2015/2016 investigations noted a direct connection to the Detroit River during the winter months. Water depths in the Broadway Drain are considered sufficient to support a fish community throughout the year. DFO has also indicated the potential for pike spawning within the existing Broadway Drain.

2.2 DRAINAGE CHANNEL

A drainage channel conveys flow north along the west side of the former Water Street towards Chappus Street. The channel then extends west along the south side of Chappus Street where it eventually drains into the Detroit River at the end of Chappus Street. A large portion of the channel at the confluence with the Detroit River has been infilled with large stone and compacted to create an access crossing to the northwest corner of the Kennett property. Despite this infilling, the channel still connects to the Detroit River during high flows and unidentified baitfish species were observed throughout the Chappus Street portion of the drainage channel during 2015/2016 environmental inspections for the Project. Based on these observations and information from DFO, the drainage channel is capable of supporting seasonal warm and cool water fish communities. The majority of the substrate throughout the channel consists of muck, silt, and detritus. The riparian vegetation consists of primarily phragmites and grasses.