Storm Damage Tecumseh Creek, Fallen Tree Removal, White Hydrangea Tree Blooms

Last night's terrific storm caused less damage at the BRG than it could have, given past storm damage in the Port Credit area and gardens. But evidence of high water levels in Thursday night's storm is shown along Tecumseh Creek that runs through the gardens parallel to the Waterfront Trail.

I took these pictures this morning, as well as one showing the progress of the removal of a large tree felled in an earlier storm. To end on a high note, there's a picture of a white hydrangea tree now in full bloom in the east Gardens.

Fallen Tree ~ August 9 Storm

A violent thunderstorm on Sunday August 9 with heavy rainfall was too much for this large tree to withstand; it snapped and fell onto private property, taking out several sections of fence as it went. (Photos: August 11).

Fallen Tree Godfrey's Lane Side BRG

Here's a closer look at the fallen tree, located on the east side of the BRG east of the middle bridge over Tecumseh Creek.

Storm Damage ~ Fallen Tree BRG

This tree on BRG (City of Mississauga) property landed mostly within private property that abuts the gardens.

Fallen Tree Removal Begins

Today, as I walked the gardens to see what havoc the storm had wrought, I noticed that the fallen tree removal has begun, and it's now cut into smaller sections, though still in situ. Drainage issues in this area are evident in the pooled water in the foreground. I understand the drainage issues on both sides of Tecumseh Creek in this section of the Gardens are now being addressed.

Tecumseh Creek Port Credit Storm Water Drain

This banks along Tecumseh Creek (seen here from the south bridge, nearest Lake Ontario) show how high the water rose last night. I've never seen it this high in the past three years that I have been monitoring it.

This area is always shady, thanks to the thicket of trees along the creek, but look closely (click image to enlarge, then click Back button to return to this page), and you'll see that last night's high waters washed out the soil from the base of several of these trees.

Tecumseh Creek Overflows Banks

Further north, at the middle bridge over the creek, the vegetation at the top of the bank has been flattened by the force and volume of water during last night's storm.

Tecumseh Creek ~ Patio Stones Not Naturalization

The area closest to the creek are either already naturalized, or in the process of being naturalized, and these patio stones are definitely not part of the program. The high water last night washed some of them downstream to Lake Ontario.

South Bridge Waterfront Trail at Lake Ontario

Though the creek sometimes meanders and pools here at the south bridge outlet into Lake Ontario, last night's rains forced a new, deep channel though the beach, straight into the lake.

Creek Floods Banks ~ Levels Vegetation

Though it's difficult to see depth in this photo, the vegetation along the creek is 18-24 inches above the usual water line, and today, it's knocked flat. All along Tecumseh Creek through the Gardens -- from Lakeshore and Shawnmarr south to the Lake Ontario shoreline -- plants and shrubs that are usually several feet above the creek are now lying flat after last night's heavy rains.

White Blooming Hydrangea Tree

As promised, here's a bit of cheer in the BRG: A lovely white hydrangea tree in full bloom. Find this beauty on the east side (Godfrey's Lane side - see map link in side menu) of the Gardens, between the annual bed at the Port Credit sign and the new bed with mounded topsoil.

Let's hope that, other than the now bare-root trees near the south bridge that may not make it, the 'Lose a Tree With Every Major Storm' jinx has now been broken!