Strathmore’s lakes, storm ponds and dry ponds are an integral parts of the storm sewer infrastructure and help to control flooding during heavy rainstorms.
Storm ponds protect you, your property, and your neigbourhood from flooding and they clean the storm water. To mitigate the intensity of storm flooding, storm ponds manage the surge and releases the water slowly. To protect our rivers, creeks, and streams storm ponds also capture the sediment and pollutants that are collected as the water travels across properties, streets, and roads.
Home to many wet and dry ponds, Strathmore has 2 ponds that permit recreational use. Ice skating, fishing, canoeing and radio-controlled watercraft are a few of the activities enjoyed on Kinsmen Lake and Strathmore Lakes.
Caution should be exercised around storm ponds and persons should generally avoid contact with the water. No recreational activity is permitted on storm ponds, except as expressly authorized in relation to Kinsmen Lake and Strathmore Lakes. Designed to capture and hold stormwater, ponds are likely to have a deep water depth, which can move and rise quickly without warning. Water entering storm ponds brings all kinds of contaminants into the ponds, including pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers, animal waste sediment and bacteria.
Policy 7205 - Recreational Use of Strathmore and Kinsmen Lakes
| Wet Ponds & Community Storm Ponds |
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Wet ponds hold water all of the time. These ponds are designed to capture and hold stormwater– for a while. Typically these ponds are designed to have a deep water depth, which can rise quickly after storms.
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| Dry Ponds |
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A dry pond is dry most of the time and may have playing fields in it. During heavy rain, dry ponds will fill with water very quickly. This prevents the stormwater system from becoming overwhelmed. This helps to prevent water from backing up into basements or flooding.
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View a map of Strathmore's Storm Ponds.
Visit EPCOR's Stormwater Safety to learn about stormwater management facilities.
Frequently Asked Questions
| Can I ice skate on my community storm pond? |
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Recreational use of Town of Strathmore Storm Ponds is only permitted on Kinsmen Lake and Strathmore Lakes, and only within the areas cleared of snow by the Town. Skating is not permitted on any other Town of Strathmore storm ponds, without permission from municipal administration. Our Parks Department clears snow from designated areas of these lakes and conducts daily measurements of the ice surface for the safe recreational use of the storm ponds. Safe skating activities are supported when the ice thickness has surpassed 10 inches. Do not clear snow from other areas or enlarge the skating surfaces. The designated areas have been selected as the sections of the lake least likely to experience erosion due to sub-surface water movement. Our Team will continue to monitor and maintain recreational areas on these two surfaces throughout the season. Please help us to ensure a safe skating season, and report any private equipment being operated on these lakes to our Municipal Enforcement Team (403-361-2112). Recreational use of Town of Strathmore Storm Ponds is only permitted on Kinsmen Lake and Strathmore Lakes, and only within the areas cleared of snow by the Town. Skating is not permitted on any other Town of Strathmore Storm Pond. Road salt and other runoff can cause the ice on storm ponds to be thinner and weaker. As well, storm pond water levels and flows can change rapidly, making skating or walking on the ice extremely dangerous. Storm Ponds often seem still, but water is continually moving through our storm system. This can cause gaps beneath the ice or weak areas on the surface. Inlets and outlets often have thinner ice coverage than in other areas of the lake. |
| Can I swim, wade, or boat on my community storm pond? |
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Water entering storm ponds brings all kinds of contaminants into the ponds, including pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers, animal waste, sediment and bacteria. Recreational use of Town of Strathmore Storm Ponds is only permitted on Kinsmen Lake and Strathmore Lakes. To prevent contact with these contaminants, recreational activities such as swimming, boating or wading is prohibited on all ponds, with the exception of watercraft where contact with the water is considered unlikely. Kayaks and stand-up paddleboards are not permitted. Radio-controlled watercraft, propelled by wind or with electric motors, are permitted. |
| Can I fish in the storm ponds? |
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Fishing is allowed for those under 16 or 65 years, is permitted on Kinsmen Lake and Strathmore Lakes and catch and release is recommended, with the exception of invasive fish, IE. the Prussian Carp and Goldfish. If invasive fish are caught, please follow the Alberta’s Fisheries Act. Kill the fish and properly dispose of the carcass in the garbage. Ice fishing is not permitted on Strathmore's storm ponds. Recreational use of Town of Strathmore Storm Ponds is only permitted on Kinsmen Lake and Strathmore Lakes. Do not dump aquarium pets or other fish into a pond. Prussian carp and goldfish are some of the most common invasive species found in our storm ponds. These fish are not native to Alberta and with a lack of natural predators or pathogens to keep them in check, they multiply quickly. If they reach the Bow River they will alter habitats, out-compete native species for limited resources and spread disease to native species. If you catch a Prussian carp, kill it and dispose of it. Do not put it back in the water. Follow Alberta Fishing Regulations. |
| Are there invasive fish in our storm ponds? |
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Prussian carp and goldfish are some of the most common invasive species found in our storm ponds. These fish are not native to Alberta and with a lack of natural predators or pathogens to keep them in check, they multiply quickly. If they reach the Bow River they will alter habitats, out-compete native species for limited resources and spread disease to native species. Visit the government of Alberta website for more information: https://www.alberta.ca/invasive-fish-species.aspx |
| Why does the water not always look or smell good? |
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Water running into the ponds contains often contains nutrients (phosphorus and nitrogen) that cause excessive algal blooms and undesirable weed growth. When the algae and plants die due to normal cycles, overcrowding, cold night time temperatures, chemical treatment or lack of nutirients, the decomposition process reduces the amount of dissolved oxygen in the water making it difficult for aquatic species to live and also intensifies water odour. Bacteria from animal waste along with other contaminants are health hazards to humans and pets and decreases the quality of water in the pond. Hot, dry weather can also trigger algae to bloom quickly. |
| Other Inquiries |
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Connect with the Infrastructure team; 403-361-2108 / infrastructure@strathmore.ca |
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