Capitol Hill Community Drainage Improvements
Overview
This project seeks to alleviate rainfall-related flooding in Capitol Hill by building a dry pond at the Capitol Hill School and increasing storm pipe and catch basin capacity. This project will bring environmental, social and public safety benefits to Capitol Hill, such as new sidewalks.
Impacts to parking, public pathways and residential access are expected. The City will make every effort to communicate with residents in advance and mitigate impacts where possible. We are completing this work in coordination with Capitol Hill and St. Pius X elementary schools, with student safety at the forefront.
Project timeline
- January 2026: Design completed
- May 7: Virtual information session (see sidebar for details)
- June 2026: Construction begins
- Completion anticipated by end of 2026
Project details
Storm sewer replacements or new installations will take place on the following streets:
- 23 Avenue NW between 18 and 17 Street NW
- 17 Street NW between 23 and 21 Avenue NW (this storm sewer runs underneath Capitol Hill School’s green space)
- 21 Avenue NW between 17 and 14 Street NW
- 17 Avenue NW between 17 and 16 Street NW
A new dry pond in the east field of Capitol Hill School will be created for temporary stormwater management during high rainfall events.
Additional improvements, such as a soccer field in the dry pond, expanding the foraging garden at Capitol Hill School and new sidewalks will also be completed.
Project area map
Public information session
A virtual information session for this project will take place May 7, 2026 at 6:30 p.m. via Microsoft Teams. Join to learn more about project benefits, construction impacts in your neighbourhood, and what we’re doing to promote safety throughout construction.
Questions?
Reach out via email and someone on the project team will get back to you.
What is a dry pond?
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Before heavy rainfall
A dry pond can be located on parkland, next to roadways or on recreation or school fields. Once constructed the entire site is fully landscaped to blend into local surroundings, and can continue to be used for sport, recreation or leisure purposes.
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After heavy rainfall
A dry pond captures stormwater runoff during a rainstorm, as well as water from an underground stormwater pipe. Water collected in a dry pond can take from one to six hours to drain after a storm. This is done by gravity via drains built into the bottom of the pond.
This project is part of the City's Community Drainage Improvements Program, which works to reduce overland flooding in areas throughout Calgary