Preparing for Spring Runoff

With the amount of snow that has fallen in our city, removing all the accumulated snow has been a challenge for everyone, including residents, and city crews. Snow accumulation this winter has been the highest in over 30 years. If the snow melts swiftly, your home may be at risk of flooding, even if it hasn't flooded before.

Here are a few tips you can follow to prevent your home from flooding:

1.     Remove snow around your foundation

Remove the snow from around your foundation. Start with any snow close to basement windows. Water too close to your basement wall can seep through tiny cracks and create a damp basement, or even damage the foundation of your house. Shoveling snow is hard work but you can do a lot by tackling the task by doing a little bit every day.

2.     Clean the downspouts

Clear snow and ice from around the bottom of your downspouts and extend the downspouts at least two metres so that water drains away from your foundation. Check your roof and eavestroughs (gutters) for excess snow and leaves. Please be considerate of your neighbours and prevent water from draining onto their property.

3.     Clear Catch Basins

Help keep catch basins clear. Where possible, safely clear snow, ice, and debris from the catch basins in your area. Keep the snow in your yard. Shovelling onto streets or lanes could block drains. City crews are busy steaming frozen catch basins in the city to ensure proper drainage on City streets. You can report a frozen catch basin to Public Works at (306) 953-4900.

4.     Mind the puddles and potholes

Slow down when you see a pothole or a pool of water, to avoid the possibility of vehicle damage and splashing pedestrians. Residents are reminded that new potholes will appear during the freeze/thaw cycle at this time of year. In order to help crews, locate potholes, the City of Prince Albert would like to encourage residents to report a pothole by using the online form: www.citypa.ca/report-a-pothole.

Please see a more comprehensive list of tips to help with the spring runoff and prevent basement flooding here: https://www.citypa.ca/en/living-in-our-community/basement-flooding-and-spring-runoff.aspx

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For more information, please contact:
Public Works
306.953.4900