As per the DRCA email that went out previously, many homes in Discovery Ridge have been subjected to excessive groundwater during recent rain events due to the dry pond installed for the ring road and drainage issues in the area below the pond. This has created great concern and real risk of flooding to several homes. To all of the residents who contacted 311, thank you! Please keep doing this when you observe any issues.
The DRCA has been in contact with the City of Calgary, through our Ward 6 office team, over the past few days. They have now secured this current update for us:
The City’s Water Services team currently has a pump on-site that is diverting water from the ditch into the Elbow River to help prevent flooding to nearby homes. They are actively monitoring the situation to ensure the area remains protected.
Since the storm pond is provincially owned and operated by Carmacks, the City is coordinating with them to manage both the pond operations and the City’s responsibilities related to the ditch. Water Services will continue to provide field support during ongoing rain events and has initiated an investigation into the recent flooding caused by heavy rainfall. The goal of this work is to identify solutions that can help reduce the risk of future flooding in the area.
This investigation will take several months, as it involves complex engineering assessments and coordination with both Alberta Transportation and Alberta Environment regarding jurisdiction and required permits. As part of the evaluation, the City may reach out to local residents for input based on their observations.
Looking ahead, Water Services is expected to follow up with our office later in the fall. At that time, they will provide updates on the work completed, potential causes of the flooding, proposed mitigation strategies, and any relevant communications with provincial partners.
For this coming weekend, we are advised:
City of Calgary Water Services is planning to deploy a contractor (Stormtec) to the site today (Friday), and they are going to work a 24-hour shift over the weekend and potentially into next week as required (weather dependent) to lower the water level in the dry pond.
Through this time, during the day and overnight, residents may see workers or hear the hum of pumps, with some accompanying job site lighting to ensure safety while it’s dark. We have communicated these plans to 311, should there be any inquiries as a result of the activity on-site.