Gill Creek Green Infrastructure Project

Gill Creek was dammed about 1.2 miles upstream from the creek’s mouth to create the 30-acre Hyde Park Lake. Waterkeeper worked with the City of Niagara Falls to implement a Green Infrastructure Project to improve water quality within Hyde Park Lake.

The project aimed to address point and non-point source runoff and pollution entering the creek from two stormwater pipes and from the nearby public golf course. This location has experienced frequent Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) since 2017. 

Through this project, the two stormwater pipes that were flowing directly into the lake were cut back and large catch basins were installed as a first step in filtration. Once stormwater flows into the catch basin it is then directed through two new wetland areas to capture and infiltrate over 2 million gallons of stormwater runoff annually.

Additional restoration elements include nearby meadow plantings, the creation of additional wetland habitat, and tree plantings along the shoreline. A fountain was also installed in the lake to help with aeration. 

Construction began in the spring of 2025 and wrapped up in fall of 2025. Over the next year project partners will monitor the project and will complete follow up invasive species treatments and native plantings to ensure it is establishing in alignment with project goals. BNW and the City of Niagara Falls are working to complete further studies and additional improvements along the Gill Creek corridor in an effort to combat HABs.