Key Takeaways:
- In Saskatoon’s Queen Elizabeth area, the city council will consider planning and creating a $9.2 million dry stormwater pond.
- The project is part of the city’s $94 million Flood Control Strategy, which aims to reduce flooding in ten high-risk areas over a nine-year period.
The city council will consider designing and building a $9.2 million dry stormwater pond in Saskatoon’s Queen Elizabeth neighborhood.
The “ponds” catch overflow and relieve pressure on stormwater drainage systems; however, they are usually dry.
According to a report to the city council on Monday, “the proposed Weaver Park dry pond project will minimize flood risk in an area with a history of regular flooding and predicted future flooding due to climate change.” The dry pond would be built the following year.
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“The intersection region of Cascade Street/Dufferin Avenue and Bute Street/Dufferin Avenue was rated highest among 30 areas in 2018 based on the likelihood of flooding and the number of properties projected to flood during strong rain events.”
The project is part of the city’s nine-year, $54 million Flood Control Strategy, which aims to reduce flooding in ten high-risk regions. The federal government has agreed to cover 40% of the costs, up to $21.6 million.
To preserve Weaver Park’s recreation levels of service, the management proposes the dry pond layout.
“While building a dry pond in the south half of Weaver Park would be more cost-effective, the field space would be reduced by 30-40%. There are no real possibilities to relocate the existing full-size multi-purpose field on the south part of Weaver Park, which has one of the highest usage rates in the city, “According to the research.
“The city’s charging facility is located on the south field, and revenue would be reduced if the dry pond were built there. To allow enjoyment to continue during construction, the city will try to keep the construction footprint as small as feasible for the storm sewer pipe placement proposed along the east boundary of the south half of Weaver Park.”
After a rain event, the pond will be intended to drain within 24 hours.
In addition, a study is being conducted to determine how the park may be designed to reduce crime while remaining accessible and welcoming for community use.
Source: CTV News
