Pelham Hills Golf and Country Club Restoration Project (Apr10/06)

The Pelham Hills Golf course property includes a substantial section of Coyle Creek, with 43 square kilometres of upstream drainage area that contains a very high concentration of forage fish. Prior to restoration, Coyle creek, where it ran through the golf course, was a straight channel, mown to the edges of its banks. The creek provided minimal wildlife habitat, poor filtration capacity, and was prone to erosion.

Additionally, a large dam on the property caused one of the worst barriers to fish migration in the Niagara River Watershed.

The Niagara Restoration Council and the golf course owner worked to remediate Coyle Creek through partial dam removal, and realignment of the channel. The creek was restored through the creation of a meander and a floodplain, to slow water velocity, reduce erosion and promote bank stabilization. The banks were planted with riparian vegetation to add biodiversity to the site.

Wildlife ponds were developed to increase wildlife habitat on the property while providing an alternative irrigation source for the landowner. The NRC is currently working towards the expansion of the pond system, full removal of the dam and the installation of riffles in the creek. (Update - as of April 10th, the dam has been removed, and pond excavation is completed)

This property has been revolutionary in providing a working example of how golf course operations can be effectively coupled with naturalization!