City’s third Flood Control project complete: Weaver Park now open

Residents in Saskatoon’s Avalon neighbourhood can look forward to reduced flood risk as the City of Saskatoon officially opens the newly upgraded Weaver Park dry storm pond. The park is open to the public, offering both improved flood protection and a revitalized recreational space.

This is the third project completed under the City’s Flood Control Strategy (FCS), which was approved by City Council in 2018. This spring, construction will start on a dry storm pond in Cumberland Park, and five more FCS projects will be built between 2025 and 2027. The Government of Canada has contributed $21.6 million towards Saskatoon’s Flood Control Strategy through the Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund.

“Today marks an exciting milestone for Saskatoon’s Flood Control Strategy with the grand opening of the Weaver Park dry storm pond. The new park will not only be an important recreation space for residents, it will also protect homes from flooding. Investing in essential public infrastructure is key to building healthy, vibrant and resilient communities,” said the Honourable Buckley Belanger, Secretary of State for Rural Development, on behalf of the Honourable Gregor Robertson, Minister of Housing and Communities and Minister responsible for Pacific Economic Development Canada.

"This project is a great example of how we can build a more resilient Saskatoon while also enhancing the places where people gather and play,” said Mayor Cynthia Block. “This is about protecting homes, supporting families and investing in smart infrastructure that serves both safety and quality of life."

“We are immensely proud of how this strategy is coming to life,” said Russ Munro, Director of Saskatoon Water. “Each project completed means fewer families dealing with flooded basements and costly damage. And with Weaver Park now open, people can experience firsthand infrastructure and public spaces working together.”

Dry storm ponds hold water that would otherwise cause nearby flooding during intense rainfall. The water flows into storm drains, then runs through underground pipes into the dry storm pond. From there, the water flows toward and empties into the South Saskatchewan River.

Once the FCS projects are completed, the City anticipates seeing a substantial decrease in the amount of neighbourhood flooding in the top 10 highest risk areas of Saskatoon.

For more information about the FCS, visit saskatoon.ca/floodplan.