Waterkeeper introduces an interactive map of the proposed Eastern Mainline pipeline route
Map showing route of proposed Eastern Mainline pipe. Green represents existing pipeline, red indicates new Mainline construction and route.
Lake Ontario Waterkeeper is launching an interactive map of TransCanada’s proposed Eastern Mainline pipeline route.
The Eastern Mainline project involves approximately 250 km of newly-build natural gas pipeline running from Markham, ON to Iroquois, ON. The pipeline will be 36 inches in diameter and require nine compressor units at five existing stations along its route, as well as pipe cleaning and inspection facilities. TransCanada expects the pipeline to carry up to 708 TJ of natural gas per day. That is a considerable amount, considering just one terajoule is the equivalent of eight years of home natural gas consumption.
The Eastern Mainline will cross approximately 294 watercourses from small unnamed streams to larger river systems. It will also cross almost 150 hectares of wetlands.
This interactive map shows the pipeline route through the natural and developed landscapes it will cross. The map provides a series of ‘filters’ showing the same Eastern Mainline route in each, but highlighting different aspects of the route and discussing several different areas of potential environmental concern. More specifically, the map includes:
Icons you can click on to learn about some of the iconic and historic waterways that will be crossed by the proposed pipeline, including the Ganaraska River, Trent River, Salmon River, Napanee River, Millhaven Creek, Ganaraska River;
Information about wetland areas that will be crossed by the proposed pipeline route—including Provincially Significant Wetlands—and the lack of information provided in TransCanada’s application concerning wetland protection;
Filters and links to other maps containing information about the potential cumulative effects of the proposed pipeline running through multiple tributaries of larger watercourses;
Filters and links to other resources showing the proximity of parallel, and intersecting pipelines along the proposed Eastern Mainline route;
Icons that show past pipeline releases and accidents along federally-regulated pipelines; and
Filters showing the Eastern Mainline route and surrounding critical infrastructure including roads, highways, and rail lines—all of which should be considered in any assessment of potential pipeline accidents.
Use your cursor to scroll through and zoom up on each map filter for more information about the Eastern Mainline and its potential impacts to the swimmability, drinkability, and fishability of Lake Ontario and its many tributaries.
If you have any questions or comments about this map, or if you would like to share any information you think should be included in this map, please contact us!
For more information on the Eastern Mainline pipeline, click here.