Winter is drawing to a close, and the snow around the city will soon melt. The City of Yorkton is preparing for the spring runoff and has plans to keep excess water from causing any flooding.
Mayor James Wilson explains that the extra precautions are necessary because there is no moisture storage in the soil.
"Because 2010 saw the wettest fall on record the Saskatchewan Watershed Authority indicates that there is no moisture storage available in the soil," Wilson says.
While the ground is saturated, Wilson emphasizes that there is little risk of a flood in the city due to runoff. To ensure runoff does not cause any damage, the city is taking precautions.
Wilson says the city has identified all areas prone to flooding. These areas will have snow hauled to expose catch-basins. Snow is being removed from all main arteries and some residential corridors. Dracup Avenue and Victoria Avenue drainage channels will also be cleaned. Steaming of culverts and catch basins will also be completed.
This is part of the normal course of operation that is completed annually. Every year the City spends approximately $60,000 from the snow removal budget on drainage related snow removal.
In order to deal with a higher than average volume of water, the city has taken additional steps. Readily available, are various high-capacity pumps to rapidly transfer water if required. The city has also completed video inspection and thoroughly cleaned culverts under Gladstone Avenue at the CP rail tracks, along with the drainage line from Broadway Street to Smith Street; and from Brodie Avenue to Laurier Avenue. A video inspection and thorough cleaning of piping from Dunlop Street to Victoria Avenue will be completed shortly.
Apart from the city's efforts to mitigate the spring runoff, homeowners are also encouraged to take steps to ensure they have less seepage in their basements. Steps include removing snow from around the building's foundation and also ensuring that the downspout is directed away from the building.
The city is also taking steps to have the drainage system better able to cope with excessive water in the future. Engineering and construction of three major storm water retention ponds will begin in early 2011, and the city has initiated a storm water study for the western part of the city. Corrective action in the downtown core is being taken through the development of the Brodie Street catch basin to mitigate any future flooding of the area.
"Within the City there is no major waterway that will cause any form of flooding, and therefore, we are told there is limited risk, if any, of a major spring flood. However, we are being prudent to ensure we take all necessary measures to avoid any form of devastation caused by a potential flood. The citizens can feel comfortable that we are acting in the best interest of their property limiting the risk of flooding due to spring thaw. The citizens of Yorkton can have additional comfort in knowing that future projects over the course of 2011 and 2012 are occurring to mitigate the potential of flooding due to excessive rainfall," Wilson concludes.
