Saskatoon residents encouraged to report potholes, drainage issues as weather warms

The City of Saskatoon is asking residents to report potholes and issues around drainage as temperatures climb and the snow begins to melt.

The city said potholes that developed over the winter are being exposed by the thaw and encouraged residents to report them using the city’s online pothole map.

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“Temporary repairs using cold-mix asphalt are underway on priority streets,” the city said in a statement. “Permanent repairs with hot-mix asphalt begin once asphalt plants reopen in the spring.”

Meanwhile, some pooling water is expected as the weather warms, and the city encouraged the public to help clear blockages and report serious issues.

“Residents can help reduce issues around their homes by making sure drainage paths are clear, directing meltwater away from buildings and coordinating with neighbours when necessary,” the city advised.

“If residents notice water pooling on their street and believe a catch basin may be blocked, they are encouraged to check whether it is covered by snow or ice. If it is safe to do so, clearing the obstruction can help water drain more effectively.”

Any blockage that cannot be easily cleared should be reported to the city’s customer care centre or through an online form.

“City crews are also monitoring locations that are more prone to drainage issues and are clearing key drainage routes in advance,” the city noted.

“A gradual melt typically reduces the likelihood of flooding, but when temperatures remain above freezing overnight, drainage problems can appear more quickly and crews may be responding to a higher number of calls.”

The city said its workers are also removing snow piles from high-priority streets in an effort to limit excessive water and allow streets to dry more quickly. The late-season snow clearing will also help limit dust and allow for earlier street sweeping, the city noted.

Bike lanes can also become quite muddy during the spring thaw, the city noted, but “grading crews cannot smooth them until the surface dries enough to support heavy equipment without causing additional damage.”