SASKATOON – The high snow buildup in Saskatoon yards this year is slowly turning into pools of concern and where location could determine just how bad flooding will be this spring.
Landscape designer Janet Wanner has worked on hundreds of local yards over the last decade. She says many property owners aren’t aware that their backyard soil type can make a big difference in how the ground handles excess water.
She says many homeowners are surprised by the problem and backyards could end up looking like lakes without proper precautions in place.
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“A clay soil is minute particles of round, ball-bearing type soil and if you get it wet, and rub it between your fingers, it’s very slippery, which means there’s no air spaces between the particles,” said Wanner.
Wanner explains if air can’t get in, water can’t escape and it will just sit there.
She also says certain Saskatoon neighbourhoods are sitting on much more clay soil than others.
“One of the examples would be Willowgrove. It has a big problem. For years and years that area used to be a big duck pond and slough.”
For people planning on buying a home in the Bridge City, Wanner recommends getting a soil test done by a landscape architect or designer.
Taking this extra precautionary measure could save residents the surprise of a pool in their backyard.
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