Construction is now underway on two major flood control projects in Saskatoon as part of the city’s ongoing Flood Control Strategy (FCS). These projects, located at Cumberland Park and on University of Saskatchewan land near 14th Street East, are the fifth and sixth of nine FCS initiatives scheduled for completion by 2026.

The FCS was approved by Saskatoon City Council in 2018 to reduce the risk of neighbourhood flooding caused by intense rainfall. One of the key components of the plan is the construction of dry storm ponds, which temporarily collect stormwater runoff during heavy rain events. These ponds prevent water from pooling on streets and damaging nearby properties by allowing the water to slowly drain into the city’s storm sewer system. When not in use, these areas remain dry and serve as green space for public recreation.

The Cumberland Park project will primarily protect homes and infrastructure near Cumberland Avenue South and Main Street. The nearby University of Saskatchewan site will help reduce flooding risks around 14th Street East.

So far, three dry ponds built under the FCS are already complete and open to the public at W.W. Ashley Park, Churchill Park, and Weaver Park. A fourth project featuring underground stormwater storage in Brevoort Park South is operational, with landscaping work scheduled for this year.

These efforts are part of a long-term vision to protect key neighbourhoods in Saskatoon from flooding, which is becoming increasingly common due to changing weather patterns and more frequent heavy rainfalls.

In addition to the five completed or ongoing projects, the City of Saskatoon plans to build three more dry pond projects in 2026 and 2027.