Spring is here and with melting snow comes concerns about the excess moisture.
The City is preparing for the issues they deal with every year, such as drainage, freezing and flooding.
"The spring outlook for Humboldt is improving," said Joe Doxey, director of Planning and Engineering. "We are seeing a slow melt. As we get later in the year, the risk for a rapid warm-up rises, however, things are currently on pace for a safe and controllable melt."
He explained current long-range weather forecasts continue to look good for the City for a slow melt.
"Crews have already cleared out major drainage ways, like ditches and culverts," said Doxey. "Thawing blocked and frozen catchbasin drainage pipes is making very good progress. With overnight lows mildly below freezing, they require some work to open them back up in the day, but generally things are moving along very well."
According to the April forecast released by the Water Security Agency (WSA), above normal runoff is expected for the majority of the province.
Doxey said if the current weather trends continue, the City's storm water and drainage collection system will be well positioned to handle this spring's melt run-off without suffering any major flood, even though above normal run-off is expected.
"Sewer surcharge holding tanks installed in A.E. Kilcher park are in place and functional," said Doxey. "This substantially reduces the risk of meltwater and groundwater infiltration combining with a high intensity or long duration precipitation even and causing sewer surcharges or sewer backups."
In addition to preparing for the melt, the City is also continuing to work on snow and ice cleanup.
"The grader is repaired to continue snow and ice cleanup," said Doxey. "Cleanup is being undertaken on some of the lesser travelled crescents where ice ruts have become excessive."
While the City's grader was out of commission, Doxey explained they used contracted graders a couple of days to keep up with cleanup.
"We have tried to get into the Uniplex, however, with the busy events happening over there, we haven't been able to clean the parking lot the way we'd like to," said Doxey. "Staff are trying to find a gap in the schedule when this can be cleaned up."
The City also has a crew checking for potholes, starting with priority routes such as Hwys. 5 and 20.
"Due to the freezing and excessive moisture right now, only very short-term repairs are possible and being undertaken on the largest of holes where a risk of damage or injury would be present," said Doxey. "Drivers are reminded that similarly to driving in snowstorms, and ice storms, they are advised to drive for the conditions."
He also asked that drivers be respectful of pedestrians during the spring melt.
"Watch for and be courteous to pedestrians," said Doxey. "Please don't splash them, as well, they may be walking in less than ideal places due to localized ponding, or ice that may be blocking their usual path."
Although the City is doing their part to deal with the spring melt, Doxey asked property owners to also do their part to protect their property.
He said some steps property owners can take are:
remove snow adjacent to the foundation;
ensure that sump pumps are functioning;
check, or have a plumber check that back-water valves are functioning and cleaned or repaired as necessary;
clear obstructions such as ice or debris from downspouts, eavestroughs, and drainage pathways;
ensure that downspouts discharge away from the house and away from your neighbour's house; and
make sure basement window wells are clear of snow, ice and ponding water.
The WSA is also urging people to be prepared for flooding when the snow finally goes.
"With the increased snow cover and late melt, I urge all people and communities to look at the forecast and prepare for flooding," said Ken Cheveldayoff, Minister responsible for WSA in a news release Monday. "The WSA along with the Ministries of Government Relations, Agriculture, Highways and Infrastructure are committed to be there for the people of Saskatchewan as we prepare for spring runoff."
This year, WSA launched the 2013 Emergency Flood Damage Reduction Program (EFDRP). It will provide assistance with the implementation of emergency flood damage reduction or prevention measures. It is available to communities, rural municipalities, non-profit organizations and individual farm residences.
For more information, visit their website at www.wsask.ca.
