Emmett Lake Road Beaver Baffle and Culvert

Wildlife fencing, nesting mounds, and an eco-passage were installed on Emmett Lake Road in 2017. Since the installation, beavers have altered the wetland's hydrology, and seasonal high water- especially in spring- now overtops the fencing and floods the road, threatening wildlife and visitor safety. When water levels rise, the fencing and eco-passage become ineffective, forcing herptiles to cross the road and increasing the risk of being struck. Turtles may also nest along the road rather than on the nesting mound, as the roadside is higher and drier. Flooding damages infrastructure, creates hazardous conditions for park visitors, and can restrict emergency vehicle access. The project will implement infrastructure replacement and maintenance to reduce flooding, restore safe turtle-nesting habitat, and improve wildlife movement through the eco-passage. A pond leveler will help keep water below road level while requiring less maintenance and causing less disturbance than the current system. Damaged fencing will be replaced with HDPE half-culvert fencing secured to the road embankment. Work is tentatively scheduled to begin in November or December 2026 and continue into spring 2027, in accordance with applicable timing windows.

Latest update

October 13, 2026 – Parks Canada intends to make a determination regarding whether the carrying out of the project is likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects. To help inform this determination, Parks Canada is inviting public comments until November 12, 2026 respecting that determination.

Participate

Key documents

Key documents
Document number Document title File Date
1 New project being assessed by Parks Canada – Public comments invited from October 13, 2026 to November 12, 2026 - October 13, 2026

Contacts

Bruce Peninsula National Park
P.O. Box 189
Tobermory ON N0H 2R0
Telephone: 519-596-2233
Fax: 519-596-2298
Email: pc.bruce-fathomfive.pc@canada.ca


Disclaimer

This map is for illustrative purposes. The markers represent the approximate locations based on available data. More than one marker may be identified for a given assessment.

  • Location

    • Bruce Peninsula National Park of Canada (Ontario)

  • Nature of activity

    • Maintenance activities (fences, walls)

  • Assessment status

    In progress

  • Start date

    2026-10-13

  • Proponent

    Parks Canada

  • Authorities

    • Parks Canada Agency

  • Assessment type

    Project on federal lands

  • Reference number

    90833

Nearby assessments

...within 200 kilometres
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