Storm drains (or catch basins) are the main way stormwater drains from our sidewalks and roadways into the underground pipes of our stormwater management system, and eventually to our rivers.

In Calgary, winters often bring Chinooks that can melt snow quickly, sometimes turning inches of snow into puddles in a matter of hours. If storm drains are clogged with ice or snow, it can lead to large puddles in the streets.

What we’re doing

We do our best to make sure storm drains are doing their job. If storm drains are frozen and water is pooling on streets we use specialized boiler equipment that pushes out steam to get the storm drain thawed and running again. We respond to 311 calls on a priority basis, attending first to areas impacting public safety and and where excess water may cause property damage.

How you can help

We maintain more than 60,000 storm drains across Calgary, but a sudden melt can make it difficult to attend to all of them within a short period of time. This is why we ask Calgarians for their help.

• Check the storm drain near your home to clear it of debris (e.g. leaves, sticks), or remove ice and snow.
• If there’s a buildup of snow or ice and it’s safe to do so, create a channel to help water flow to the drain.

The map below shows where storm drains are located across Calgary.

• If the storm drain is blue, it has an inlet control device which purposely pools water on the street until the stormwater system can accept extra water.
• In these areas, allow up to two hours for the water to drain prior to calling 311.
• IF water is entering a building or vehicle or there is a safety concern contact 311 immediately.

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There are many ways you can protect your home from water damage.

• Maintain positive drainage on your lot without impacting your neighbours or public property.
• Inspect grading around your foundation and fill any settling or depressions.
• Regularly clear debris from eavestroughs and downspouts.
• Ensure downspouts are pointed toward the street, lane or a swale and direct water a minimum of two metres away from sidewalks, pathways and building foundations.
• Keep any grassed or concrete swales on your property free from debris, ice, or obstructions.
• Maintain your sump pump. Ensure it discharges two metres from building foundations, and do not impact your neighbours or public infrastructure.
• When cleaning your yard keep leaves, grass clippings and any other yard waste away from storm drains.

Water entering our storm drains travels to Calgary’s rivers and streams without water treatment. Never sweep debris, dump chemicals down or use ice salt on storm drains. Learn more about how you protect the health of our rivers.

While our stormwater system manages most of the rain and snowmelt we experience every year, it has a limited capacity and may be overwhelmed during severe storms. With a changing climate, we know that intense rain and hail will happen more often.

To manage capacity of the stormwater system during heavy storms, many streets in Calgary are designed to have a low point where rainwater is temporarily stored on the street.

We also install inlet control devices in storm drains to manage how fast water flows into the pipes.

They’re designed to prevent overland flooding by keeping water away from houses, garages and businesses and to avoid water backups into basements.

Following intense rains, temporary ponding of water is normal around many storm drains.

To address areas with ongoing drainage issues, often due to the age and capacity of the stormwater system in older communities, The City has undertaken a community drainage improvement program.

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