News Releases

Late Monday afternoon Saskatoon experienced an unusual rain event for this time of May; between 15 and 20 mm of rain fell across the city between 5:00 and 5:30 p.m.  Peak intensities of 100 mm per hour were recorded which statistically makes the storm greater than a one-in-ten year event.

“In comparison, a similar amount fell early in the morning Monday but was spread over a longer period of time which is why there was no flooding then,” says Andrew Hildebrandt, Senior Storm Water Engineer.

Most of the issues from yesterday’s storm were related to surface flooding.  Newer neighbourhoods are designed so that the pipe, pond, and surface drainage systems can handle severe storms, but older neighbourhoods were not designed in this manner.

“We know there continues to be storm water problem areas in a handful of locations around Saskatoon, and the flooding in those instances is usually confined to the roadway,” Hildebrandt says. 

“We discovered some of the ponding was the result of debris covering catch basins and in most cases, as soon as Public Works crews cleared the blockages, the basins drained as the water made its way to storm retention ponds and to the river.

The high water volume caused some manhole covers to come off which is also an anticipated occurrence of the planned design.  This is why the City advises caution and – if possible – to avoid flooded streets as they could be hiding an open manhole.”

Sanitary Sewer System

The city’s storm sewer system handles rainwater drainage, while the sanitary sewer system handles domestic sewage.

Over the past number of years, the City has constructed a number of infrastructure projects in order to protect homes from flooding due to sanitary sewage backups. 

“The City’s focus has been on protecting private property from sanitary sewer flooding,” Hildebrandt says.

Super-pipes and new lift stations have been installed to reduce the risk of the sanitary sewer flooding. In prior years, heavy rain events allowed storm water to get into the sanitary system, causing back-ups and property damage.

No reports of sanitary sewage flooding have been reported due to yesterday’s storm.

Additional information

- Extra Public Works staff was called in to respond to reports of flooding.

- Crews responded to reported locations and replaced manhole covers that were displaced last night.

- The majority of the basins drained within a short period, as designed.  Crews inspected locations reported flooded, some catch basins were covered with debris which was cleared away. 

- Inspections continue today for locations that were not attended to last night. 

- Public Works received 73 calls for flooded catch basins or other drainage issues (The City has approximately 12,000 catch basins)

- Public Works received 37 reports of displaced manhole covers (The City has 8,800 storm sewer manholes).

- Compost Depots were closed due to weather around 5:00 p.m. last night.  Both locations have been open today.

For more City of Saskatoon Public Service Announcements, News Releases, Traffic Detours and Service Alerts, visit www.saskatoon.ca or connect with the City of Saskatoon on Twitter and Facebook.

The heavy, super charged rain storm early Monday evening left many city streets and intersections flooded and looking like flowing rivers. 

Water on our city streets does not always indicate something is wrong, but actually is all part of a functional and cost effective storm water management system.  The City’s storm water system is designed to carry water along the streets and gutters during significant rain storms as what was experienced on Monday.

When flowing water occurs along the road surface we ask that residents avoid these areas.  Flooded streets can hide popped manhole covers and create a dangerous situation.  Try to avoid entering a flooded street. Water in the streets will often drain very quickly following a heavy rain so we ask residents to be patient. 

If your property is next to a street that is used for storm water in a significant rain event, consider protecting low lying areas such as windows and doors that may be at risk of flooding.

If you see manhole covers that have popped off during a rain storm, please call our Customer Service Dispatch at 306-975-2476.

For more City of Saskatoon Public Service Announcements, News Releases, Traffic Detours and Service Alerts, visit www.saskatoon.ca or connect with the City of Saskatoon on Twitter and Facebook.

25TH STREET & 2ND AVENUE INTERSECTION, MAY 27 - 28

Overnight restrictions will be in place from 7:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. on Tuesday, May 27, and Wednesday, May 28, at the intersection of 25th Street and 2nd Avenue while crews work on water main valves. 

Tuesday, May 27

- 25th Street eastbound median (inside) lane will be closed approaching the intersection
- Left turn to 2nd Avenue northbound from 25th Street eastbound will be maintained
- 2nd Avenue northbound curb (outside) lane will be closed approaching the intersection 

Wednesday, May 28

- 25th Street eastbound median lane and left turn bay lane closed approaching the intersection
- 25th Street westbound left turn bay to 2nd Avenue southbound will be closed
- 2nd Avenue southbound through traffic will be restricted
- 2nd Avenue northbound left turn bay to 25th Street westbound will be closed

To minimize disruption to traffic this work will take place overnight.

CENTRAL AVENUE BETWEEN 111TH & 112TH STREETS, MAY 28

Beginning at 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday, May 28, the following restrictions will be in place on Central Avenue while crews work on sanitary sewer connections.

- Central Avenue southbound lanes will be closed between 111th Street and 112th Street. A detour will be in place.
- Central Avenue northbound median (inside) lane will be closed between 111th Street and 112th Street.

The work is expected to last one day.

14TH STREET BETWEEN CIRCLE DRIVE AND ARLINGTON AVENUE, MAY 28-31

Beginning at 7:00 a.m. on Wednesday, May 28, 14th Street will be closed between Arlington Avenue and the southbound off ramp from Circle Drive while crews resurface the road.

The work is expected to last 4 days.

All restrictions are expected to be lifted as indicated, weather permitting and barring any unforeseen circumstances.

Slow down, pay attention and respect the work zones. Watch for pedestrians and work crews, and for everyone’s safety, please obey all detours, signs and barriers.

Know before you go! Find traffic detour information on our website at www.saskatoon.ca/go/traffic. You can also follow us on Twitter @cityofsaskatoon and with #betterroadsYXE and like Saskatoon City News on Facebook.

For the first time in recent history, the City will be ticketing and relocating vehicles for street sweeping in the Downtown/Partnership Business Improvement District (BID).  Sweepers have already been through the area as part of the Spring Sweeping Blitz program, which is designed to go around parked vehicles.  This year, with increased funding through the dedicated road levy, all four BIDs will be provided with one full curb-to-curb sweep.  In order to accomplish this, tickets will be issued for violators and their vehicles will be relocated to a nearby road.

In order to provide alternate parking for downtown patrons and residents, Downtown will be swept over two evenings, beginning with the Streets. 

White No Parking signs are being posted within the Downtown BID bordered by 25th Street, Spadina Crescent, 19th Street West and Idylwyld Drive North:

- Along the Streets for overnight sweeping on Wednesday (parking enforcement begins Thursday at 2:00 a.m.)

- Along the Avenues for overnight sweeping on Thursday (parking enforcement begins Friday at 2:00 a.m.)

- Due to high-density residential parking on 5th Avenue and 6th Avenue between 22nd Street and 25th Street, these roads will not be swept as part of the Downtown BID sweep, but will be scheduled for sweeping on another day.  Signs will be posted in advance to notify residents.

There are permanent street maintenance signs mounted on posts (as pictured) that outline parking restrictions from 2:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m. for the Streets and Avenues throughout the area, but because this program is new, we are supplementing them with the white paper No Parking signs (as pictured).  The temporary signs have a yellow card attached to them with contact information for the Street Sweeping Hotline, so residents may call 306-975-2476 for the location of their vehicle.  Drivers may also use the Find My Vehicle! database by clicking on the Building Better Roads logo at saskatoon.ca. 

More information about the Spring Street Sweeping and the Accelerated Residential Street Sweeping programs will be available on Thursday, May 26 at the weekly Building Better Roads media briefing.

For more City of Saskatoon Public Service Announcements, News Releases, Traffic Detours and Service Alerts, visit www.saskatoon.ca/go/traffic. You can also follow us on Twitter @cityofsaskatoon and with #BetterRoadsYXE and like Saskatoon City News on Facebook.  

A super charged, heavy and sustained downpour over the supper hour has resulted in a surge in the City’s storm system. The City is aware of manhole covers that may have popped off from the heavy rain. Use caution and reduce speed when driving through deep puddles; avoid driving through flooded roadways and walking through deep puddles if possible.

Call Dispatch at 306-975-2476 to report any flood related concerns. The City is experiencing a high volume of calls, and thanks residents for their patience. 

We have brought in available crews to clear flooded roadways and to repair manhole covers as quickly as possible.

 For more City of Saskatoon Public Service Announcements, News Releases, Traffic Detours and Service Alerts, visit www.saskatoon.ca or connect with the City of Saskatoon on Twitter and Facebook.

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