A neighbourhood dispute on the border of Cambridge and Puslinch is spilling over after a private dam was intentionally opened. The Irish Creek pond spans nearly nine acres. It is located along Townline Road. The road falls under Cambridge jurisdiction but the land is in Puslinch. Longtime residents in the area know the property as “the little dam.” For generations, the site served as a focal point for the community. “We used to swim here in the summer and fish, play hockey out here in the wintertime,” said nearby resident John Seaton. However, neighbours were outraged after equipment was used to clear out part of the private dam structure, sending water pouring downstream. “This is 100 per cent wrong. It needs to be dealt with,” said resident Marj Meiers. “What I wanted to do is go home, which is just up the road, and get a piece of plywood and dam it up. But I can’t do that. It needs to be dealt with before it’s empty.” Seaton called the drainage an attack on the area’s identity. “It’s totally against the community. It’s totally against our heritage,” Seaton said. “I’m sure the pond has looked after itself for probably 100 years, and it’ll continue looking after itself.” Property owner Les Holdway tells a very different story. He said clearing the spillway was a necessary safety measure following heavy rain this summer. “It’s pretty funny because I’m the guy who’s maintained it,” Holdway said. “An earthen dam cannot be overtopped. It’s the death knell of the dam.” Holdway said the secondary spillway should only carry water during rain events, but high water levels this season forced it to run non-stop, threatening the structural integrity of the earth wall. He added that a previous owner removed the original floodgate controls and blocked drainage points, making the water levels difficult to manage. “All I did was clean out the dirt behind it and then take the moss, which is about a foot and a half thick, out of the top by hand, and the water came through,” Holdway said. “Now it is down to a level that’s manageable.” The Grand River Conservation Authority confirmed the dam structure is privately owned. Because private dams fall under provincial jurisdiction, regulatory oversight rests with the Ministry of Natural Resources. In a statement, the Ministry of Natural Resources confirmed it has received reports of potential construction activity at the site and is currently reviewing the matter. “The Ministry of Natural Resources regulates dams in Ontario, however repairs or construction are the responsibility of the dam owner,” said a statement, in part. Holdway said he has recently received threats over his actions, but maintains he will continue to manage the property for as long as he owns it.
