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You might know them as community ponds, but they are actually working facilities and they aren’t safe for any type of recreation including sledding, skating and walking.
While you may have used a stormwater facility recreationally before, we now know that these water bodies are not safe for recreation.
The University of Alberta has conducted research showing how hazardous these facilities can be. The more our city grows, and the more unpredictable winter weather becomes due to climate change, the more we need to take extra care around stormwater facilities.
We want Edmontonians to embrace winter and be able to participate in some of our most beloved outdoor winter activities like skating and hockey. That’s why each year, we provide several $800 community league grants to help cover the costs of setting up an ice rink where community members can play and skate safely.
Interested? Learn about how your community league can take advantage of this grant by emailing epcordrainage@epcor.com.
Check out the City of Edmonton's list of outdoor skating facilities.
Stormwater facilities have a job to do.
Stormwater facilities play a big role to keep neighbourhoods safe from flooding. They are built to catch excess water runoff from heavy storms and snowmelt. This water enters stormwater facilities from catch basins and natural surface drainage.
Did you know that these facilities also improve the quality of stormwater that ends up in our rivers and lakes? Many aspects of a stormwater facility are constructed to filter the water. This includes the vegetation planted around the water as well as the way the water and sediment moves and settles.
While stormwater facilities might look calm and serene, there’s a lot going on underneath the surface. Water is constantly moving as it enters the facilities through pipes.
While the constant water movement is good for stormwater management, however it creates unsafe conditions for recreational activities like skating and sledding in the winter, or boating and swimming in the summer.
Once frozen over, a stormwater facility may look safe, but it's what's below the surface that makes it different from ponds.
Stay off stormwater facilities
As a part of the integrated drainage system, stormwater facilities have a job to do: reduce the risk of flooding in our neighbourhoods and filter water.
Stormwater facilities have a job to do
Stormwater facilities are hard to identify. Educate yourself and your family on where to find safer sites to skate.
Know your options
Stormwater facilities aren't safe for any type of recreation, including skating, sledding and walking, because inlet and outlet pipes keep water continuously flowing beneath the frozen top layer. Choose a safer alternative and skate on a safe rink this winter.
If you see anyone on the ice, report activity to us at 412-4500.
Though you may have used a stormwater facility recreationally before, things have changed. Research conducted by the University of Alberta shows how hazardous stormwater facilities are. And with more facilities being built in our growing city and warmer winter temperatures caused by climate change, there is a higher need for safety precautions.
For more information on aquatic invasive species and EPCOR's stormwater management facilities, click here.
As a part of the integrated drainage system, stormwater facilities reduce the risk of neighbourhood flooding by managing runoff and eventually sending it to the river.
Stormwater facilities may include contaminated materials that impact ice quality and make ice thickness highly unpredictable.
Detergents
Antifreeze
Oils
Road salt
Pesticides
Fertilizer
Animal waste
Litter
We have mapped out safe recreational rinks below for your use or contact your local community league for advice for an alternative close to you.
Don't take a chance. Educate yourself on where to find a better place for recreation.
View our map of safe recreational rinks to enjoy this winter.
Identifying stormwater facilities is tricky. Keep off any pond you are unable to identify.
View our map of sites unsafe for recreational use.
View our report.
