Strengthening flood protection in Saskatoon

Funding provided through the Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund

Across Canada, communities are experiencing more intense rainfall events that place pressure on aging stormwater systems. In Saskatoon, certain established neighbourhoods have historically faced flooding during heavy rain, particularly where older infrastructure was not designed to handle today’s higher volumes of runoff.

When intense storms overwhelm underground drainage systems, water can accumulate on streets and around homes, increasing the risk of property damage and costly repairs. As climate patterns evolve, municipalities must adapt infrastructure to reduce risk and improve resilience for residents.

Recognizing these pressures, the City of Saskatoon launched a long-term Flood Control Strategy in 2018 to reduce flood risk in priority areas across the city.

A practical infrastructure solution

The first major project delivered under this strategy is the W.W. Ashley Park Dry Storm Pond. Completed in Fall 2021 and officially opened in October 2022, the project transforms part of a community park into a dual-purpose space that supports both recreation and flood mitigation.

Dry storm ponds are designed to temporarily hold excess rainwater during heavy storms. Under normal conditions, the area remains usable parkland. During intense rainfall, the basin collects runoff that would otherwise overwhelm nearby streets and storm sewers. After the storm passes, the stored water is gradually released back into the drainage system.

The W.W. Ashley Park Dry Storm Pond was engineered to manage a 1-in-10-year rainfall event, meaning a storm with a ten per cent chance of occurring in any given year. Shortly after completion, it faced a storm closer in scale to a 1-in-25-year event. The system performed beyond expectations, helping prevent flooding in approximately 37 nearby homes that had previously experienced water damage during intense storms.

Protecting homes and building resilience

By increasing stormwater storage capacity at the surface level, the W.W. Ashley Park Dry Storm Pond strengthens protection for residential properties and public infrastructure. It reduces pressure on underground systems and helps stabilize neighbourhoods during extreme weather events.

As Canadian communities continue to prepare for changing weather patterns, projects like W.W. Ashley Park Dry Storm Pond demonstrate how strategic infrastructure planning can deliver measurable protection. By addressing flood risk before damage occurs, Saskatoon is reinforcing the safety, stability, and long-term resilience of its neighbourhoods.

Quick facts

• The W.W. Ashley Park Dry Storm Pond is the first of nine flood mitigation projects planned under Saskatoon’s Flood Control Strategy, approved by City Council in 2018.
• Saskatoon has documented flooding reports in priority neighbourhoods dating back more than 60 years, which informed the city’s choice of project locations.
• The City of Saskatoon Flood Control Strategy was supported by a $21.6 million investment from the Government of Canada through the Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund, alongside $32.4 million from the City of Saskatoon. Together, these investments reflect a shared commitment to proactive climate adaptation.
• The Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund supports infrastructure that protects communities against the effects of climate change, making the W.W. Ashley Park Dry Storm Pond part of a national climate resilience portfolio.

For more information

• City’s first flood mitigation project complete; new park space open
• Flood Control Strategy
• Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund: Overview