The riverbed in the swimming area of Britannia Beach will undergo construction work from July to October, to restore the grade and proper water depth. As a result, the beach will be closed to swimming and all other beach activities this summer.
The work, called dredging, involves removing silt and sand that has collected on the riverbed from years of currents, waves and weather. The last time dredging was done at Britannia Beach was 1990. Right now, water depth in the swimming area has been reduced to less than half a metre at the peak of the swimming season.
The schedule for construction follows Ontario Ministry of Environment and Climate Change regulations. It restricts when work on shorelines and in water can be conducted, to minimize impact on fish habitats and other significant aquatic species. The budget for the project is $3 million.
The construction area and access road will be fenced off for public safety. While the swimming and beach areas will be closed to the public, the Britannia pier, picnic area, beach building, Ron Kolbus Lakeside Centre and patio will remain open throughout the construction period.
A temporary construction-access road will be created west of the Ron Kolbus Lakeside Centre patio to permit truck and equipment traffic during the construction period. This temporary road will be removed, and the lands will be reinstated at the completion of the project.
For those who were planning to book the beach this summer, contact sports@ottawa.ca
The beach will re-open for public swimming and all other beach activities in 2021.