The Spring melt is here! You can help our crews reduce flooding issues by making sure any catch basins near your home are free of snow and other debris. If water is still pooling and not draining, please contact Public Works at 780-594-4496.

When Spring arrives, it brings warmer weather, which often results in a quick melt of the snow we accumulate over the winter. City crews take steps to help reduce flooding in low areas, such as removing snow during the winter, to reduce the amount of melt in the street.

Surface and storm water is diverted from the streets, parking lots, and yards toward various catch basins across the city. From there, the water flows through a series of pipes to a storm water retention facility. The water is then released with the control slow to a receiving water body, such as a creek, river, or storm pond.

If these catch basins are covered with snow, or frozen, flooding may occur. Residents are encouraged to keep catch basins near their homes clear of snow and debris, so that water can flow. If a catch basin appears clogged, our Utilities crews are dispatched with a steamer truck, hydro-vac, and other equipment to attempt to defrost and unclog the basin. 

Reduce your risk of snowmelt flood

Some of the following tips involve snow shovelling, which can be heavy work. Consider doing a bit at a time, and please use care and caution.

• Remove snow from around your foundation. Pay extra attention to areas around window wells.
• Make sure your sump pump is in good working order, and is pumping water out of your home to your sidewalk or front roadway. It is against city bylaws to empty your sump water into laneways or the storm drainage system directly.
• Ensure downspouts are clear and open and are extending away from your foundation.
• Keep the snow in your yard. Shovelling snow from your yard or driveway it onto the street or lane could block drains, and is against city bylaws. 
• Check your roof and eavestroughs for excess snow. Consider hiring a professional to clear snow from your roof. A roof rake may help clear the snow and debris from the edge of your roof.
• If water is getting close to your foundation, use an appropriate pump to drain it to your sidewalk or front roadway.

Snowmelt and potholes

The spring freeze/thaw cycle means potholes will start to appear across the city. You can use the Report a Pothole program to alert Public Works of new potholes. In the meantime, drivers are reminded to:

• Slow down when you encounter a pothole. If it is filled with water, it can be difficult to tell how deep it is.
• Increase the distance between your vehicle and the one in front of you to give yourself more time to see potholes and puddles. 

Frequently asked questions

What can I as a resident do to help?

Residents are encouraged to keep any catch basins near their home free of debris and snow, to allow water to flow into them. Residents can also use an ice chipper or shovel to create a pathway through any melting snow, for the water to be released from the street.

Who do I contact about a clogged catch basin?

Please contact the Public Works shop with emergency/non-emergency inquiries during regular business hours at 780-594-4496. If you have an after-hours emergency, there is an on-call operator who can take your information at 780-207-0173.

Why is it taking so long to get to the catch basin near my home?

Across the City of Cold Lake, there are 886 catch basins and 649 storm manholes. Crews assess which basins are in the most dire need of thawing, and causing the worst flooding, but will get to the one near your home as soon as they can.

The melting snow has washed out part of my property, and there are exposed utility lines. What do I do?

Please contact Public Works at 780-594-4496.

Can my alley be plowed once things start melting?

Once consistent warmer temperatures have set in, large heavy machinery, such as graders and loaders, will not respond to resident requests in gravel laneways, as this may cause excessive and unnecessary damage to the gravel and sub-base. Alternatives may be considered, pending available resources and the severity of the melt in the alley.

Is there somewhere I can dump my snow before it starts to melt?

If residents wish to remove snow from their own properties, either themselves or through a contractor, snow can be dumped off at the public snow dump located 0.5 kilometres west from the 1 Avenue and English Bay road intersection. Contractors and home owners should contact the Public Works Shop to register their information, so the amount of snow being brought in can be recorded.