The West London Dyke Replacement Project

The West London Dyke is 2374 metres long, and runs along the west bank of the North Thames River from Oxford Street to the Forks of the Thames, and then along the west bank of the main Thames River to the west side of the Wharncliffe Road Bridge. The City of London owns the dyke and, through an agreement, the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) undertakes major maintenance activities.

In 2004, the UTRCA undertook a condition assessment of the Thames River dykes within the City, including the West London Dyke. Approximately 350 m of the dyke north from the Queens Avenue Bridge were identified as being the highest priority for repair. This portion was originally built in the 19th century in order to minimize flooding in the West London area. The concrete revetment in place in 2004 (pictured at left) dated to the 1930s.

Looking north across the Forks of the Thames towards the Blackfriars Bridge, July 2000 Flood

In 2005, while undertaking the initial stages of a concrete repair program on this section, the UTRCA and the City concluded that a significant portion of this section had come to the end of its useful life and needed to be replaced rather than repaired.

There were many design challenges for reconstruction of the dyke and the community was engaged as to potential reconstruction options which also incorporated potential community amenities such as park and river access features. A model plan was developed as a reference for future replacement works. Extensive public consultation and engineering evaluation resulted in a final recommended design for the first phase of dyke replacement. The first phase of the project (July to December, 2007) replaced a 300 metre section of the dyke north from Queens Avenue, adjacent to Labatt Park. The new dyke structure is located entirely within the footprint of the previous dyke and features a near vertical block wall along the river.

Phase 1 was funded by the MNR Water and Erosion Control Infrastructure Program and the City of London. The total cost of the Phase 1 construction project was $3,600,000. The UTRCA acted as project manager. Monitoring and rehabilitation work will continue in future years on the West London Dyke and other dykes in London.

West London Dyke, April 1947 Flood

Forks of the Thames, July 2000 Flood

For additional information, please contact the following:

, C.E.T.
Supervisor, Water Control Structures
Upper Thames River Conservation Authority
ph: 519-451-2800 ext. 244

, P.Eng.
Water Resources Engineer
Upper Thames River Conservation Authority
ph: 519-451-2800 ext. 239

Scott Mathers, B.A.Sc. (Eng.)
Wastewater and Drainage Engineering, Environmental and Engineering Services Department
City of London
ph: 519-661-2500 ext. 5472
fax: 519-661-2355