SASKATOON — As Saskatoon transitions into spring, city crews are proactively managing the melt by clearing snow and ice from priority drainage routes and known problem areas.
While some temporary pooling is expected, crews are prepared to respond to drainage concerns as needed.
How Residents Can Help
If you notice significant water pooling or a blocked catch basin, check if it's covered by snow or ice. Clearing it, if safe to do so, can help water drain more efficiently. If the issue persists, report it to the Customer Care Centre at 306-975-2476 or to ensure it is properly categorized and prioritized for response.
What to Expect
As temperatures rise, standing water may become more noticeable, particularly in areas with heavy snow accumulation. Crews will inspect and prioritize emergency flooding locations that pose a risk to property, major roadways, and pedestrian access, aiming to address these within the same day.
Non-emergency pooling — such as water collecting on residential streets that does not impact traffic — may take several days to resolve as temperatures fluctuate and melting continues.
Back Lanes
Gravel back lanes can become muddy and uneven as the ground thaws. While it may seem like they need immediate grading after the snow melts, heavy equipment cannot be used until the lanes have dried enough to prevent further damage. Crews will begin grading operations as soon as surface conditions allow, ensuring all back lanes are addressed as part of the regular spring maintenance cycle.
Potholes and Utility Cuts
As snow melts, water seeps into road cracks, leading to soft gravel utility cuts where a utility company has excavated the road for repair and potholes. Crews are maintaining utility cuts and performing temporary cold-mix repairs on high-priority streets, with permanent hot-mix asphalt repairs beginning in mid to late April when hot-mix becomes available from suppliers. Residents can report potholes via the Customer Care Centre or the Report-a-Pothole tool at .
Street Sweeping
While snow-clearing equipment remains on standby for any late-season storms, spring pre-sweeping is expected to begin in mid-April, starting with Priority streets and Business Improvement Districts. Removing debris and sand early helps minimize dust and prepares streets for full sweeping operations later in the season.
For more information on spring melt preparations and lot drainage tips, visit .
