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As spring quickly approaches, the City of Regina is preparing for a higher-than-usual spring melt.
Roughly 90 centimetres (or 35 inches) of snow has fallen in Regina this winter, around 30 cm more than the five-year average.
City crews are starting to address this huge buildup of snow by clearing major roads, opening up the more than 22,000 storm drains in the city, clearing drainage ditches, and removing snow to create a drainage path for all the spring melt.
Director of Water, Waste and Environment for the City of Regina, Kurtis Doney, speaks about the spring melt expected for 2022. (Logan Stein/980 CJME)
The city’s director of water, waste and environment, Kurtis Doney, says there are some steps people can do to ensure their home remains dry.
“Test your pumps, check your backflow prevention valve, make sure it’s working and ensure everything is off your basement floor if you’ve experienced seepage in the past,” he said. “Outside your home, clear snow away from your foundation (and) make sure your downspouts are about six feet away from your home.”
Doney adds people can find many more flooding prevention tips on the city website by clicking here.
Manager of roadways seasonal operation Tyler Bien said there’s a lot that goes into ensuring roads are clear, and safe, at this time of year.
“When we move into the spring melt our crews kind of transition from the snow plowing and the snow removal aspect and we focus on ice control, especially during the evening hours and overnight,” Bien said.
“A lot of that standing water does turn into ice, so we provide our ice control right through the nighttime and through the day.
“We also focus on getting into those areas where they are experiencing some backup with the catch basins and some flooding on the roads. We get in there (and) we clear some of those catch basins that are problematic and causing the flooding on the roads to allow for proper drainage.”
Bien also wants to remind people that it’s pothole season, adding drivers should look out for any rough areas during their commute.
“We also transition into road repair, so we have crews out cycling the roads, fixing any damaging potholes that may become present on the main drags or any road,” he said.
Regina Fire warns of thinning ice
Stay away from bodies of water.
That’s the message being presented by Regina Fire Chief Layne Jackson.
Regina Fire Chief Layne Jackson. (Logan Stein/980 CJME)
“Every year, we respond to a few calls — anywhere from around half-a-dozen throughout the year,” he said. “But, of course, our goal is to have zero.”
Jackson says the thickness of the ice on Wascana Lake, or around the creek, is rapidly changing this time of year and is extremely unreliable.
He discouraged anyone from walking, skiing, skating or doing any sort of recreational activity on any body of water in and around the city.
“If you’re walking near these bodies of water with pets, please ensure they’re leashed,” Jackson claimed. “We do have to go out on a few calls each and every year to rescue pets.
“If you do see someone that’s dangerously close to the ice surface or bodies of water, you can always call the Regina Police Service. If you do see an emergency, please call 911 and we’ll send out our ice rescue team to take action.”
