"Wilket Creek: urbanization, geomorphology, policy, and design" by Danielle Barr
Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Degree

Master of Science

Program

Geography

Supervisor

Peter Ashmore

Abstract

The understanding of the morphology of an urbanized channel is currently limited to a ‘black box’ understanding in that the main driving force of morphological change is hydrologic. This study aimed to expand our understanding of urbanized channels by conducting a socio-geomorphological investigation; that is, the natural and policy-driven events and processes leading to the current channel form. A fluvial audit including historical analysis and fieldwork was conducted in Wilket Creek, a southern Ontario urbanized channel, along with a review of provincial and municipal policy and reports. Overall, it was concluded that the current morphology of Wilket Creek is the result of a complex combination of urbanization, conservation policy, and channel reconstruction and design. This in-depth analysis provides the sequence of events and processes which took place in the catchment which has led to the current urban morphology.

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