The Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority

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Pretty River Dike

The Pretty River Dike was constructed in the 1970s to safeguard the Town of Collingwood by reducing the risk flooding in downtown areas of Collingwood. When maintained properly, it provides essential protection for residents, homes, businesses and key community assets – including the Collingwood Public Library, Collingwood Museum and Central Park.

It is designed to contain the floodwaters from the Provincial Regulatory Storm Event — a storm so extreme that the likelihood of it happening is less than 1% chance in any given year. Although these events are rare, the risk to property damage and possible loss of life is high which is why the dike must be maintained.

Map of Pretty River Flood Plain

This 2 km flood control structure starts at the southwest intersection of Peel Street and Lynden Street, passing the old CN Rail bridge (now the Siding Trail), then Hume Street and the Pretty River Parkway before ending at Oliver Crescent near the shore of Nottawasaga Bay.

The Pretty River Dike is divided into five sections.

  • Section 2: Bypass Weir/Culverts to Nottawasaga Bay
  • Section 3: Pretty River Parkway to Bypass Weir/Culverts
  • Section 4: Hume Street to Pretty River Parkway
  • Section 5: Barrie Collingwood Railway (Siding Trail) to Hume Street
  • Section 6: Start of Pretty River Dike to Barrie Collingwood Railway (Siding Trail
Completed Pretty River Dike in the 1970s

This is what the dike looked like in the 1970s right after it was built. As time went on, vegetation began to grow on the dike. Taking a closer look, the dike is covered in 12″ to 18″ stone which protects the banks from the erosive forces of flowing water.

History of Flooding in Collingwood

The Town of Collingwood was built on a shallow floodplain, making it prone to floods. Some of the most notable floods are the 1912 Victoria Day Flood and the 1942 St. Patricks’ Day Flood.

 

This photo was taken near the intersection of Third and Birch streets during the 1912 Victoria Day flood. Photo contributed by Collingwood Museum Huron Institute
This photo was taken near the intersection of Third and Birch streets during the 1912 Victoria Day flood. Photo contributed by Collingwood Museum Huron Institute 148, 150, 164, 165; Collingwood Museum Collection X970.794.1, X969.594.1, X970.783.1, X970.789.1
This is a view of Hume Street during the 1942 St. Patrick's Day flood. Photo contributed by the Collingwood Museum Huron Institute
This is a view of Hume Street during the 1942 St. Patrick's Day flood. Photo contributed by the Collingwood Museum Huron Institute 2789; Collingwood Museum Collection X973.523.1, X973.524.1, X973.525.1

The Pretty River

The Pretty River is one of four major watercourses that flow through the Town of Collingwood.

It starts on the Niagara Escarpment in the Township of Clearview, and flows through the Pretty River Valley in Collingwood. As it enters the town, it is contained by the Pretty River Dike as it flows to the Nottawasaga Bay.

Maintenance and monitoring

NVCA removed vegetation on the dike in between 2021 and 2025.

In 2026, NVCA is conducting a safety review of the Pretty River Dike to assess its structural stability.

The safety review will involve two weeks of borehole drilling in June to confirm the structural integrity of the dike. Equipment will also be installed to monitor internal pressure within the dike structure. A drill rig will be traversing River Trail and may impact residents’ access to limited portions of the trail.

When using the trail system along the Pretty River Dike, residents are reminded to be vigilant around the drill rig, as it can pose a hazard to unauthorized individuals. Signage and safety measures will be in place to direct trail users to avoid the impacted area.

The Pretty River Dike safety review will help NVCA identify required rehabilitation and maintenance needs which will then be addressed by NVCA in the coming years.

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