Dorchester Mill Pond Dam Rehabilitation Project

Project Description Report (pdf file)
Mill Pond Environmental Assessment Report (posted on Municipal web site)

A 1985 study determined that the Dorchester Mill Pond Dam is in poor condition and in need of repair. In 2002, the Municipality of Thames Centre was awarded funding to rehabilitate the dam through the Ontario Sports, Culture and Tourism Program of SuperBuild and the Canada-Ontario Infrastructure Program.

The new Dorchester Mill Pond Dam was officially opened in June 2005. The old dam is pictured above; the new dam is pictured below.

The Local Advisory Committee assisted with project communications and promotion, reviewing design options and the Environmental Assessment process, and community fund-raising. The committee included representatives from the Dorchester Mill Pond Committee, Community Trail Advisory Committee, Natural Heritage Coalition of Thames Centre, residents of Dorchester, the Municipality of Thames Centre, Acres International Limited, and the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority.

Project Management

The Upper Thames River Conservation Authority acted as Project Manager and worked closely with the Municipality of Thames Centre. The engineering firm of Acres International Limited was retained to provide the technical leadership for this project. Acres International is a leading Canadian engineering firm established in 1924.

The Dorchester Mill Pond

The Dorchester Mill Pond is located on Dorchester Creek, just metres away from the Thames River in the Village of Dorchester. The pond is fed by streams originating in the Dorchester Swamp and by drains on agricultural lands. The Mill Pond drains into the Thames, which flows southwest to Lake St. Clair.

The Dorchester Mill Pond is an oasis of peace and tranquility in a natural setting of oak, pine and maple. The Mill Pond Trail provides a scenic 3.5 kilometre walk through the variety of natural habitats around the pond and offers excellent opportunities for birding and nature interpretation. Fishing and canoeing are also popular activities at the Mill Pond.

History

The first written record of the mill pond is a survey from 1810. The site was ideal for a saw mill and the Thames River provided access to Detroit where much of the timber was used. In 1866, a grist mill and a fine house of Thames River stone were completed next to the saw mill. The Dorchester Mill was destroyed by fire in 1964. The Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) acquired the 12.5 hectare (31 acre) Mill Pond property in 1984. Today, the Mill Pond Conservation Area is used extensively for community recreation. Popular activities include hiking the 3.5 kilometre trail, fishing, and canoeing.

Ownership/Management/Size

The Mill Pond Conservation Area and is owned by the UTRCA and managed by the Municipality of Thames Centre. The property consists of a 8 hectare (20 acre) pond surrounded by 4.5 hectares (11 acres) of land. The Dorchester Mill Pond Committee coordinates stewardship efforts at the Mill Pond.