board/advisory committee report

BOARD/ADVISORY COMMITTEE REPORT
DATE:
September 15, 2014
TO:
Chair and Members
Committee of the Whole – Community Services
FROM:
Chair and Members
Brantford Heritage Committee
TOPIC:
Alfred Watts Locks and Hydro Generating Station Ruins
RECOMMENDATION:
A) THAT a feasibility study BE CONDUCTED to consider designating Mohawk
Lake, and Canal, the western limits of which are Shallow Creek Park to the Alfred
Watts Locks and Hydro Generating plant ruins, as a Cultural Heritage
Landscape; and,
B) THAT staff BE DIRECTED to report back to Council with options to conduct a
feasibility study in accordance with Recommendation A.
PURPOSE:
The purpose of this report is to recommend that Council consider designating the
Mohawk Lake and Canal area, generally beginning at Shallow Creek Park and the
Alfred Watts Locks and Hydro Generating Station ruins, as a Cultural Heritage
Landscape (CHL).
BACKGROUND:
On May 26, 2014 Council asked the Brantford Heritage Committee to provide some
advice on the Alfred Watts Locks. Council passed the following motion:
“WHEREAS the Brantford Heritage Committee advises City Council of heritage
issues; and
WHEREAS City Council has an interest in the heritage value of Victoria School
and Alfred P. Watts Locks;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Brantford Heritage Committee
Brantford Heritage Committee Report
September 15, 2014
Page 2
BE REQUESTED to provide such advice regarding Victoria School and Alfred P.
Watts Locks.”
ANALYSIS:
Location
The Alfred Watts Locks and Hydro Generating Station ruins are located along the Grand
River, south of Lock’s Road and Beach Road. The site of the hydro generating station
ruins are owned by the City of Brantford. The area that the Heritage Committee is
recommending be considered as a CHL is depicted in Appendix A and B.
Brief History of the Site
In the early 19th Century, local inhabitants including Brantford residents, looked to
improve the waterways to encourage navigation and development. Canal building was
very popular in North America at the time and in 1824 the Welland Canal Company was
incorporated to build a canal from the mouth of Twelve Mile Creek to the Welland River.
During the construction of the Welland Canal there were several problems maintaining
an adequate level of water in certain sections. To remedy this problem a dam was built
on the Grand River at Dunnville and the water was brought to the Welland Canal by a
feeder canal. This dam had subsequent impacts on the Grand River and it resulted in a
substantial increase in the depth of the river. The increased depth and the new feeder
canal brought navigation for the Grand River into the realm of feasibility.
The construction of a canal with locks and dams along the Grand River progressed
slowly, but the canal officially opened on November 7, 1848, making the Grand River
navigable for 57 miles, from Dunnville to Brantford. Once opened, the canal
experienced high traffic, and business increased steadily. Brantford became a major
shipping port. Despite this fact, the Grand River Navigation Company remained in
financial trouble. As railway technology settled into the area, the Grand River lost its
importance for transportation purposes.
In 1851, only three years after the canal was opened, an assessment revealed the need
for costly repairs. In 1853, the Grand River Navigation Company sought government
ownership of the company, however, was unable to meet the required conditions. In
1859, the Town of Brantford foreclosed on the mortgage and in 1861 ownership was
awarded to the Town of Brantford.
In 1875, the Town of Brantford sold the property to Mr. Alfred Watts for one dollar. Mr.
Alfred Watts had an interest in the land as he saw the potential for development of
hydraulic power. By 1885 hydro electric power was being generated at this site.
Brantford Electric Light Company, operated by Mr. Alfred Watts and his two sons, Mr.
Robert Henry and Mr. George Wilkes, supplied all the lamps and fixtures for residents’
electrical needs and did all the wiring in the area.
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September 15, 2014
Page 3
A new company was formed in 1893 called the Brantford Electric Power Company, with
the intention of bringing industrial advancements. The Company installed a direct
current generator for operating powerful motors with a capacity of 150 horse power. The
increasing reliability of the electricity ouput greatly increased productivity of the
manufacturing sector of the City. Due to financial difficulties, the company passed into
the hands of the Brantford Electric Operating Company Ltd in 1896. The Brantford
Electric Operating Company contributed to the electrical development of Brantford by
introducing an alternating system of electrical current distribution. This allowed the
distribution of energy in larger quantities and voltages.
In the early 1900s the demand for power consumption had increased and a new
modern steam plant was built to address the additional demand. In March of 1908,
Brantford linked its electrical network with the “Dominion Power” system and the Alfred
Watts generating station was no longer needed to provide electricity to the City of
Brantford.
The area spanning from Mohawk Lake to the Alfred Watts Locks and Generating
Station Ruins, provides a varied history, from First Nation populations to providing
Brantford with the first source of electricity. The Alfred Watts Generating Station’s
contribution to the distribution of electricity across the City provided for the
modernization and evolution of industries across Brantford.
Heritage Committee’s Direction
The Heritage Committee discussed the Alfred Watts Locks and Generating Station at
the June 17, 2014 and July 15, 2014 meetings. Staff provided documentation on the
cultural heritage value of the area and a brief analysis of different heritage conservation
options. During this discussion the Committee reaffirmed the recommendation from the
Waterfront Master Plan to designate the Alfred Watts Locks and surrounding area as a
CHL. Upon review of the relevant historical information and the recommendation from
the Waterfront Master Plan, the Heritage Committee passed a recommendation to
request that Council consider undertaking a feasibility study to designate Mohawk Lake
and Canal, between Shallow Creek Park and the Alfred Watts Locks and Hydro
Generating Station ruins as a CHL.
What is a Cultural Heritage Landscape (CHL)?
The 2005 Provincial Policy Statement (PPS) included direction for the conservation of
cultural heritage landscapes through the planning process. CHLs offer a new
perspective of our community by examining heritage on a spatial level. Section 2.6.1 of
the Provincial Policy Statement, 2014 (PPS), states that:
“…significant Cultural Heritage Landscapes shall be conserved.” A CHL is defined
as, “a defined geographical area that may have been modified by human activity and
is identified as having cultural heritage value or interest by a community, including
an Aboriginal community. The area may involve features such as structures, spaces,
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September 15, 2014
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archaeological sites or natural elements that are valued together for their
interrelationship, meaning or association.”
The term CHL is a general term within which includes many types such as Heritage
Conservation Districts, cemeteries, historical industrial centres, etc.
Upon a preliminary review, it is the Brantford Heritage Committee’s opinion that the
Alfred Watts Locks and surrounding area certainly appears to fall within the definition of
a CHL and is worthy of conservation as envisioned in the PPS. A feasibility study will
both assess the value of the defined area and provide a recommendation for the
boundary of the CHL based on the contribution of each property to the overall area’s
cultural heritage value. Furthermore, a feasibility study will provide recommendations
for how best to conserve and recognize the area’s cultural heritage value.
CORPORATE POLICY CONTEXT:
Community Strategic Plan
Long term Goal No. 2 and Goal No. 3 in Brantford's Community Strategic Plan state:
2) High Quality of Life and Caring for all Citizens
 Brantford citizens and visitors will enjoy a full range of well-supported and
maintained arts, heritage, culture, sports and recreational facilities and programs.
3.) Managed Growth & Environmental Leadership
 Brantford’s built heritage will be protected and enhanced
Conserving the Alfred Watts Locks and Generating Station as well as the Mohawk Lake
and Canal as part of a CHL will ensure that this important area’s history will be
recognized and enjoyed by Brantford citizens and visitors as well as protected for
generations to come to learn and enjoy.
Waterfront Master Plan
The Waterfront Master Plan identifies the historical value of Mohawk Lake and Canal as
well as the Alfred Watts Locks and Generating Station and recommends that the City
undertake a feasibility study to designate the area as a CHL. Designating the property
as a CHL, can assist in ensuring the heritage value of the area is properly recognized
and conserved as a community asset, and will provide further opportunity for historical
and cultural tourism along the Waterfront trails.
CONCLUSION:
Based on the historical and contextual value of the area including the Shallow Creek
Park, Mohawk Lake and Hydro Generating Station ruins, the Heritage Committee
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September 15, 2014
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recommends that Council proceed with a feasibility study to designate the identified
area as a Cultural Heritage Landscape.
____________________
Bradley Emsley
Brantford Heritage Committee
Attachments:
Appendix “A”: Subject Area to be examined during feasibility study
Appendix “B”: Pictures of the subject area
Brantford Heritage Committee Report
September 15, 2014
Appendix “A”
Subject Area to be examined during feasibility study
Page 6
Brantford Heritage Committee Report
September 15, 2014
Appendix “B”
Pictures of the subject area
Hydro Generating Station ruins
End of the canal beyond the Alfred Watts Locks
Page 7

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