The
City’s Community Drainage Improvements Program works toward mitigating overland
flooding in areas throughout the City. Drainage studies were undertaken to identify solutions for communities frequently hit by flooding due to extreme rainfall. Such solutions can include adding additional
storm drainage pipes, increasing the size of pipes, and adding wet or dry storm ponds to help manage stormwater.
In recent years the communities of Woodlands, Woodbine, Cedarbrae and Braeside have experienced an unusually high number of high volume rainfall events. These communities currently have a storm level service of a one-in-five year rainfall event or less, which was the standard at the time these communities were first built. That
means that there is now a 20 percent chance (or greater) that the storm system will not handle rainfall events causing local flooding in any given year.
Drainage improvements being looked at for these communities target a 1-in-50 year level of service. Once upgrades are in place there will be a two percent chance in any given year that rain events would overwhelm the storm system.
Click for larger image
Braeside dry pond
The City of Calgary is constructing a 
new dry pond in the fields located east of the John Ware and St. Benedict schools. This dry pond will greatly reduce flooding during extreme rain events, specifically the flooding that occurs at the intersection of Southland Drive and Braeside Drive. Construction is underway and is expected to be complete in the fall of 2018.
Construction impacts
Construction of the dry pond consists of earthworks (excavation and grading), underground piping and landscaping. Construction impacts will include:
- Increased traffic to site (construction crews, trucks hauling materials to and from site) on Southland Drive and on Palliser Drive
- Construction noise
- Fields will remain fenced off and closed to the public for the duration of construction
- Traffic and sidewalk detours
Chain link fencing will be installed at the location shown on the map above and inaccessible to the public for the duration of construction. Construction access will be off of Palliser Drive. Road and sidewalk detours will be in effect during different stages of construction.
Community benefits
During heavy rainfall, overall vehicle and pedestrian safety will be improved, traffic congestion reduced and emergency vehicle access unimpeded by flooding. John Ware and St. Benedict schools will each receive a new soccer field (two in total) and a new baseball diamond will be built allowing for more recreational opportunities for the community.
24th Street Storm Trunk Diversion
A new underground storm trunk will be installed in the median of 24th Street SW from Woodview Dr Woodpark Blvd and south into Fish Creek Provincial Park. Construction is expected to begin in May and continue until November.
Construction impacts
Construction of the storm trunk diversion consists of excavation, underground piping, backfill and road restoration. Construction impacts will include:
- Increased traffic on 24th Street S.W. (construction crews, trucks hauling materials to and from site)
- Construction noise
- Staged closures of 24th Street S.W. south of Woodview Dr complete with detours. Access to the communities of Woodbine and Woodlands will be maintained through Woodview Dr.
- Tree removal
- Access road into Fish Creek Park will be closed to vehicles during construction of the portion of the storm trunk under the access road
Community benefits
The storm diversion will significantly reduce flooding that occurs along 24th Street SW and in the communities of Woodbine and Woodlands as the new trunk will be . During heavy rainfall, overall vehicle and pedestrian safety will be improved, traffic congestion reduced and emergency vehicle access unimpeded by flooding.
Bebo Grove Storm Pond
A new storm pond will be constructed in the Bebo Grove day use area of Fish Creek Provincial Park. The pond be a hybrid wet pond-wetland where wetland water levels will vary with the seasons and amount of rainfall. A new asphalt trail will be constructed around the south perimeter of the pond to connect with existing trails in Fish Creek. Construction will be ongoing throughout 2019 with landscaping to be completed in spring of 2020.
Construction impacts
Construction of the pond consists of earthworks (excavation and grading), underground piping and landscaping. Construction impacts will include:
- Increased traffic to the Bebo Grove day use area of Fish Creek Park (construction crews, trucks hauling materials to and from site)
- Construction noise
- Access road and day use area will closed to the public for the duration of construction. Pedestrian and cyclist access will be maintained into and throughout the park.
Community benefits
The storm pond will allow for storage of stormwater during rain events and improve the quality of the water discharged to Fish Creek by separation and settlement of suspended solids. Newly created picnic areas and lookouts surrounding the pond will provide spaces for park users to enjoy the improved aesthetics of the Bebo Grove area and the wet pond will attract more bird and wildlife species.
Secondary Improvements
This project spans all four communities of Cedarbrae, Braeside, Woodlands and Woodbine and aims to implement localized neighbourhood improvements in order to alleviate existing flooding issues. The proposed improvements include:
- Installation of inlet control devices (ICD’s) - Manages local minor system surcharging conditions by restricting stormwater captured at catch basins and promotes ponding on the road surfaces (traplows)
- Catch basin upgrades - Increases stormwater capture;
- Storm sewer diversions - Increases conveyance capacity and alleviates surcharging;
- Spill route improvements - Diverts and improves overland flows and reduces the depth of ponding at spill points in the local neighbourhood.
Within the last year, The City identified 9 high priority sites for flood mitigation with construction to begin this year. These sites were identified and prioritized by means of modelling, data collection, field checks and registered 3-1-1 complaints, with more sites to follow in 2019.
Construction
Construction for this work will begin in the summer of 2018, and be ongoing throughout 2019. The City will be in direct contact with residents in the immediate vicinity of each project to inform them of timelines, any impacts and to answer any questions they may have.
Project information
If you have any questions or concerns about this project contact 311.