Stormwater and Drainage

Home Infrastructure Services Water, Wastewater and StormwaterStormwater and Drainage

The Town manages the operations and maintenance of the stormwater drainage system and the construction of new infrastructure.

Storm drainage systems are the network of structures, channels and overland and underground infrastructure that carry stormwater to ponds, lakes, streams, and rivers. The network consists of both public and private systems. Proper maintenance and control of the system will lessen overland flooding and damaging property during rain events and snow melting.

Visit Storm Ponds to learn why they play an integral part in the drainage infrastructure and why most ponds are not used for recreational activity.

Stormwater Drainage and Our Transportation Network

Municipal Roads and Sidewalks are an integral part of the stormwater drainage system. Engineered with a slight grade, one of their objectives is to collect stormwater on the surface and move it into the drainage system. Roads that do not have catch basins rely on their grade to move the flow of water to the drainage system. Preventing the flow of rainwater and snow melt hinders the natural drainage.

Prevent flooding on public and private property

Do not shovel snow from sidewalks, parking pads/driveways and parking lots onto the roads
Report sidewalks that have not been shoveled
Clear catch basins and storm drains from snow, ice and debris
Create a channel towards the catch basin for melting snow to flow
Report catch basins and storm drains that are blocked with snow, ice and debris

Visit EPCOR's Stormwater Safety to learn about stormwater management facilities.

Overland Storm Drainage

Catch Basins

Catch basins, also called storm drains, are installed to receive, and direct the flow of storm water into the drainage system. A clogged catch basin, and missing or damaged grates can lead to flooding and street and property damage.

The Town's Operations department and our partners at EPCOR routinely check and clear catch basins as part of the regular winter and spring maintenance program.

Residents can help keep their communities from flooding by;

Catch it. Check to see if the grate is clear to drain snow, ice and rain runoff.
Clear it. Consider clearing it of ice and debris.
Call or Click it in. Report a catch basin that's frozen or in need of attention to operations@strathmore.ca / or use the Citizen's Communication Form at Strathmore.ca/Question.

Grass or Concrete Swales

Grass or concrete swales are in place to help storm water drain properly. They help to prevent flooding and damage to your property and your neighbour's.

Commonly located along the back fence or side of the property, checking and clearing your swale regularly will keep storm water flowing freely. Swales located on private property are the responsibility of the property owner to keep clear and free of snow, ice, and debris.

While keeping your swale clear;

avoid planting shrubs and trees near the swale
do not place pavers or other landscaping material on top of the swale
do not use rock, fencing material or netting to block swales leading into adjacent properties

Connect with the Town's Planning and Development department to ensure any structure being built near a swale meets the current standards.

Ditches and Culverts

Year-round inspections and maintenance of ditches and culverts reduces the potential for blockages of the drainage system.

Work includes grass and weed control, re-ditching to build proper grades in the ditches and culvert replacement and repairs alongside planned paving projects.

Stormwater Management

Working with the City of Calgary, Rocky View County and the Western Irrigation District (WID), the Town of Strathmore shares a responsibility for the system’s current challenges. "The incorporation of the Stormwater Management Cooperative (CSMI) in early December 2020 marks the formal establishment of an innovative and collaborative approach for regional protection against the impacts of severe weather in southern Alberta." (Water Smart Solutions)

Stormwater Management Cooperative

"There is a large tract of land spanning the Eastern edge of the City of Calgary, the Town of Strathmore and Rocky View County where there are limited natural drainage courses to effectively transfer stormwater. Ongoing development in these communities, which are adjacent to and surrounding the Western Irrigation District (WID) irrigation system, has been accelerating stormwater management challenges in the area. This includes creating ongoing maintenance and water quality challenges for the WID and limiting the available options for new developers to safely move runoff away from their properties." (Alberta WaterPortal Society)

Visit our Plans, Reports, and Studies page to learn more about our Master Servicing Studies