MTO Hydrology Requirement Checklists

Checklist 1: MTO Approvals

Applicability Is it
Issue to This Documented Comments
Project
The level of planning and design being addressed in the report.
Determine the Requirement for

The rationale for preparing the report and who initiated the study.
Hydrology Report

The number and locations of the watercourse crossings being

considered.

Reference to other Reports associated with this watercourse crossing.

Acquire MTO Approvals for:

•The design criteria
•Deviations for CHBDC, if applicable
Requirements
Approval

•Preliminary Hydrology Report and

•Detailed Hydrology Report.

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MTO Hydrology Requirement Checklists

Checklist 2: Collecting Background Information

Applicability Is it
Issue to This Documented Comments
Project
Review and reference watershed, subwatershed or master drainage
plans.
Review Previous Drainage Studies

Review and reference MTO Environmental Study Reports.

Review and reference other drainage studies such as:

• Flood Damage Reduction Program Study (FDRP)
• Erosion Control Study
• Flood Control Study
• Other: _____________________________________

Conformance to previous highway studies (e.g. preliminary design

reports).
Identify data needs and which of this data is available.
Identify Data

Availability
Needs and
Characteristics of
the Watercourse

Identify the physical characteristics of the watercourse.

Identify

Identify the history of flooding.

Complete a site inspection at the proposed water crossing sites and

Conditions

collect required data and information.

On -Site
Identify

Identify site constraints.

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MTO Hydrology Requirement Checklists

Checklist 2: Collecting Background Information

Applicability Is it
Issue to This Comments
Documented
Project
Identify regulatory fish habitat requirements from:
Requirements of Other Agencies

• MNR
• MOE
• DFO
• Others: ___________________________________
Identify

Identifying regulatory flood line requirements from:

• Conservation Authority
• Others_____________________________________

Identify approval requirements of other agencies.

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MTO Hydrology Requirement Checklists

Checklist 3: Identifying Drainage Issues

Applicability Is it
Issue to This Documented Comments
Project
Problems
Drainage
Existing
Identify

Identify existing drainage problems on upstream and

downstream riparian property.

Identify if there are bridge or culvert structures upstream or

Identify Issues with Other
Structures Upstream and

downstream including their configuration and distance from

the proposed structure.
Downstream

Identify existing drainage problems of other bridge structures

upstream or downstream.

Identify impact of the other structures on the design criteria for

the crossing being considered.

Identify the geomorphic stability of the stream at the proposed

crossing location.
Investigate Stability
of the Watercourse

Establish the design criteria that would address for the

conditions of the watercourse at the proposed crossing location
• Location of the crossing
• Location or piers and abutments
• How the major flow will be addressed (pass through the
structure, overtop the approach or overtop the structure)
• Depth of the foundation
• Requirements for watercourse training works
• Requirements for channel armouring
Watercour
Regulate
Criteria
that

the

Identify upstream and downstream water level controls.

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MTO Hydrology Requirement Checklists

Checklist 3: Identifying Drainage Issues

Applicability Is it
Issue to This Comments
Documented
Project

Identify flow controls upstream and downstream.

Identify Design
Alternatives

Identify the different possible alternatives for crossing such as

different locations, different configurations, spans or height of
structure and different types of structure (bridge or culvert).

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MTO Hydrology Requirement Checklists

Checklist 4: Performing the Hydraulic Design

Applicability Is it
Issue to This Documente Comments
Project d
Develop the design criteria for the proposed structure based on
Design Criteria

collected data, MTO standards, policies, guidelines and manuals and

Develop the

the CHBDC.

Acquire approvals for the proposed design criteria and modify

design criteria if necessary.

Perform the hydrologic analysis, or verify existing analysis, to

Conduct the Hydrologic

determine the design, check and regulatory flow rates using

appropriate stream gauge station. Perform frequency analysis on
stream flow data for (2, 10, 25, 50, 100-year return periods).
Analysis

Perform the hydrologic analysis, or verify available analysis, to

determine the design, check and regulatory flow rates applying
alternative runoff simulation methods based on precipitation and
watershed characteristic data for (2, 10, 25, 50, 100-year return
periods). Document results of the analysis (as per the MTO online
web page “Evaluation of Drainage Management Software”).

Perform the hydraulic analysis to size the bridge or culvert

opening(s).
Design the Bridge or Culvert

Conduct water surface profile calculations, or verify existing

analysis, to determine backwater and assess the impacts upstream
and downstream. (An appropriate number of stream cross sections
must be selected and defined for an accurate assessment of the water
Opening

surface profile)
• Identify downstream/upstream reference point
• Perform analysis
• Document results of the analysis (as per the MTO online web
Page “Evaluation of Drainage Management Software”).

Determine flow velocities for all storm events modelled.

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 MTO Hydrology Requirement Checklists

Checklist 4: Performing the Hydraulic Design

Applicability Is it
Issue to This Documente Comments
Project d
Determining the Depth

Perform the analysis to ensure the level of scour will not jeopardise
Analyse Scour and

the structural integrity of the bridge or culvert crossing.

of Footings

Determine the appropriate depth of footing for the piers and

abutments.
Design for
Ice and
Debris

Determine the requirement for conveying ice and debris flow and
avoiding ice jams.

Identify the High Water Level, flood plain and flow path for the
Regulatory flow event.
Identify if the post development extreme event will flow over the
Design to Convey the
Regulatory Storm

approach, over the structure or through the structure.

Determine the depth of flow:

• at the approach and
• over the structure.

Identify design features that will allow the structure to withstand

additional forces due to overtopping, if applicable.

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MTO Hydrology Requirement Checklists

Checklist 5: Mitigating Impacts to the Drainage System

Is this
Applicable to Is it
Issue Documented Comments
this project
Provide scour and erosion control measures at the location of the
Designing Erosion

crossing as well as, upstream and downstream if necessary.

Protection
Measures

Design fish habitat protection measures

• Select the appropriate type of measures
Habitat Protection

• Ensure flow velocities are suitable for migration of fish species

Design Fish

Measures

• Ensure hydraulic suitability of proposed measures

• Address any impact upstream and downstream

Determine the impact on surrounding lands and structures and

develop solution to address these impacts, if feasible.
Lands and Structures
Address Impacts on

Determine the impact on the highway and develop solution to address

impact, if feasible.

Determine the requirements for compensation to affected structures or

lands, if applicable.

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MTO Hydrology Requirement Checklists

Checklist 6: Finalizing Design and Construction Issues

Applicability Is it
Issue Comments
to this Project Documented

Design Bridge Deck Drainage.

Complete the Requirements for Erosion and Sediment Control During

Construction.

Recommending the Best Alternative.