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Engineering Design Standards

Stormwater in Leduc

Stormwater is water from rain and melted snow that runs off lawns, roofs, pavement and goes into sewers, ditches, culverts, creeks and lakes. The most visible impact of stormwater is flooding during large rainfall events that can cause damage to property, infrastructure and the environment. Stormwater can also cause erosion, sedimentation and pollution.

How we manage stormwater is integral to maintaining sustainable neighbourhoods to ensure stormwater is directed away from your property. The management of stormwater is essential to reduce the risk of flooding, and to conserve and protect water resources.

The City’s Stormwater Master Plan assesses the performance of our stormwater management infrastructure against the most severe storms we may face. It calls for the addition of stormwater infrastructure in older areas of Leduc to be done in conjunction with regular road maintenance projects. This allows us to:

  • Reduce costs by constructing utilities and roads together.
  • Extending the life of roadways by reducing the frequency and severity of ponding on them.
  • Increase stormwater service levels in older neighbourhoods during more intense storms.

How the system works

Stormwater is collected from your property and moves through a ditch, culvert, or pipe to a storm pond. These ponds hold water in low areas to protect nearby homes and buildings from flooding.

The water is then discharged downstream to creeks and lakes at a slow rate to protect erosion. Because stormwater does not pass through a water treatment plant, we need to keep the water as clean as possible.

Ways you can help keep stormwater clean:

  • Point downspouts towards lawns and gardens or use a rain barrel.
  • Dispose of harmful products appropriately (paint, oil, food waste, car cleaning products, etc.)
  • Limit use of fertilizers and pesticides
  • Sweep driveways and sidewalks to prevent debris from entering storm drains
  • Use environmentally friendly cleaning and gardening products
  • Pick up and properly dispose of pet waste
Diagram illustrating stormwater management, showing flow from a house, through a system, to an outlet by a body of water.

About stormwater infrastructure

As water collects on roadways, it is guided by curbs and gutters to catch basins and flows into underground piping. The catch basin is buried below the sidewalk and street with only a grate exposed to the surface. They are strategically located where there will be a lot of stormwater runoff and at low points.

Manholes are in the street and used as access points for the City’s operations and maintenance workers. Manholes connect pipes and allow for flushing of debris from within the pipes. The City operates roughly 4,500 manholes and catch basins, and more than 130 km of storm sewer mains ranging up to 2.1m in diameter in size.

Outfalls are where the stormwater system discharges water. There are many discharge locations in Leduc, but the system has six crucial discharge points: Deer Creek, Telford Lake, a creek in the southwest corner of Leduc, Saunders Lake and ditches along Highway 2.

Stormponds

There are more than 30 stormwater management facilities in Leduc, comprised of wet ponds and dry ponds. We call these storm ponds.

Wet ponds permanently retain some water and allow for dirt and other pollutants to settle out before being discharged to Deer Creek or Telford Lake. This helps enhance water quality.

Dry ponds relieve the underground pipes during large rainfall events by holding the water under the pipes have capacity. Dry ponds are great for areas where excess water needs to temporarily pool but there isn’t room for a permanent pond and the greenspace can be used for a sports field or park.

Suburban lakeside scene with houses, trees, and a visible water fountain under a blue sky with clouds, framed by green reeds.

If you live near a stormwater pond, you should expect water levels to fluctuate. Water levels will:

  • Vary with the weather. Rain can raise levels quickly while dry periods may lower them.
  • Rise to cover any nearby multiway trails. Multiway trails are intentionally built in the flood zone of a storm pond, it is normal for them to be underwater during major rain events.
  • Rise to property lines, in extreme cases, before overflowing through emergency outfalls.

The stormwater infrastructure is designed to allow water to reach within the property line (find out through your property title). If you believe water has risen too close to your home, you can call the City at 780-980-7133.

To keep your property safe, check that drainage paths are free of clogs and debris. If you notice any signs of erosion, damage or pollution, report it online.

Illustration showing a pond with labeled areas for water levels, catchbasin, manhole, and related structures in a landscape.

While a storm pond adds a scenic natural space to your neighbourhood, their purpose is to collect runoff water. The water can be filled with contaminants that can be dangerous to people and pets. Keep pets leashed to prevent them wandering into the water.

Due to the constant flow of water and unpredictable water levels, they are not safe for recreational use. This includes skating or walking on the ice in the winter, and swimming, wading and boating in the summer.

In the winter, ice forms in unstable conditions and is often very thin. Therefore, skating or walking on the ice is strictly prohibited.

Instead, residents can enjoy and safely use one of Leduc’s outdoor ice surfaces. The status of these outdoor ice surfaces (whether they are open or closed) is posted online.