Overview
The Watercourse Alteration Certification Program is divided into two training opportunities for specific types of watercourse alterations.
Certified designers:
This is a five-day course with an exam on day five. Following this course, certified designers can apply for:
- culverts
- with a maximum length of 25 m for new install; 30 m for replacement
- up to 5% stream slope (0.51-5% must include baffles for fish passage)
- with a maximum drainage area of 20 square km
- single-span bridges
- with a maximum drainage area of 20 square km
- construction of approaches (roads) to a watercourse crossing
- vegetation clearing for crossing installation/replacement
- installation/construction of temporary bridges
- beaver dam removal or management
- placement of erosion protection works (biotechnical/vegetation and rip-rap)
- water withdrawal (temporary or maintenance/replacement of permanent intake structure)
- timber harvesting
Watercourse Alteration Certification Certified Designer Manual (PDF 4.7 MB)
Certified installers:
This is a two-day course with no exam. Following this course, certified installers can apply for:
- maintenance and removal of culverts and single-span bridges
- construction of roads to a watercourse crossing
- vegetation clearing for watercourse crossing installation/replacement
- Installation or construction of temporary bridges
- Beaver dam removal or management
- placement of erosion protection works (biotechnical (i.e., vegetation) products, rip-rap)
- water withdrawal (temporary or maintenance/replacement of permanent intake structure)
- timber harvesting
Watercourse Alteration Certification Certified Installer Manual (PDF 3.6 MB)
Through the permitting process, a certified installer can apply for watercourse crossings, but the design/sizing must be carried out by a certified designer or a professional engineer.
The courses are offered through the Maritime College of Forest Technology | Continuing Education (mcft.ca). Please contact the college directly for any course details.