City of Calgary making safety improvements at 15 storm ponds

The City of Calgary says more than a dozen stormwater retention ponds are set to receive safety improvements starting this month.

“Through a review of ponds across The City, these locations were identified as the highest priority for safety enhancements,” the City of Calgary said in a news release Thursday.

Work is set to begin in mid-August.

Nicole Sparks, the city’s Manager of Stormwater Operations, says it’s the next step in an ongoing pond safety program.

“We’ve done temporary signage in winter and summer… door hangers… direct communication with community associations and schools.”

“The 15 ponds were chosen (by a) combination of field visits and observations of the physical space, including proximity to children, as well as reports about activities in and around the storm pond,” Sparks says.

The enhancements will include new interpretive signage to increase awareness of risks and creating natural dense barriers with the installation of thorny vegetation.

“Permanent partial fencing and temporary seasonal fencing will also aid in creating a physical barrier to public access,” the city says.

Currently, storm ponds in Calgary are marked by signage prohibiting entry into the water.

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But some ponds in the city have been the site of tragedies, including earlier this summer when a young girl lost her life in the southeast community of Legacy.

The family of Drihanna Matamona marked one month since her tragic passing this Wednesday.

“Yesterday was not a good day for me, I was just crying all day,” explained Freizlia Massengo Kilolo, Drihanna’s mother.

The Legacy Small Pond, where the seven-year-old drowned, is one of the properties slated for improvements.

“Although I’m sad about what happened, I’m happy because it can save lives too,” Massengo Kilolo said.

“It’s just unfortunate that they initiated this plan after my daughter’s death.”

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Sparks says the improvements were planned during the city’s last round of budget deliberations months ago.

“Water levels rise and drop quite quickly, especially during storm events. They have muddy bottoms. They are not designed for recreation,” Sparks says.

“There are many people enjoy looking at them, but they really aren’t safe.”

Crews will also continue assessing other ponds to determine which ones could be next in line for safety improvements.

The list of ponds that will be seeing improvements includes:

Ward 3:

• 95R Harvest Hills Dr NE
• 142R Panatella Hl NW

Ward 5:

• 95R Saddlecrest Blvd NE

Ward 6:

• 880 81 St SW
• 497 85 St SW

Ward 9:

• 60 St SE & 17 Ave SE

Ward 12:

• 505E Mahogany Blvd SE
• 299 Auburn Bay Ave SE
• 151R Autumn Cl SE
• 208R Brightonstone Ld SE
• 100R Copperpond Cl SE
• 41 Copperfield Pt SE
• 676R Copperfield Blvd SE
• 346R Inverness Pk SE

Ward 14:

• 3 Legacy Cir SE

2:02 Young child dead after drowning in Calgary stormwater pond