Edmonton stormwater system holding steady despite back-to-back heavy rain months
City and Epcor fielded over 4,500 storm-related calls in July as saturated soil slows drainage, but $350 million in flood-prevention work is paying off.
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Edmonton's stormwater system is holding up under heavy rainfall, though saturated soil is slowing how quickly water drains from the city, Epcor officials said Tuesday, July 21.
Epcor and the city fielded more than 4,500 storm-related calls in July. Of those, Epcor received approximately 1,600 calls, while the city received 3,040 calls to 311 between July 1 and July 20 — more than 1,400 after July 10 — mostly about downed tree limbs and debris blocking routes. Some calls resulted in major road closures on Yellowhead Trail, Whitemud Drive, and several arterial roads. Slope failures closed multiple pedestrian routes, including High Level Bridge access from Const. Ezio Faraone Park.
Craig Bonneville, Epcor's group vice-president for planning, projects and engineering, compared the situation to a sink filled with water draining slower than usual. "When we have these consecutive events it takes awhile for the system to recover," he said. "There's certain spots where it will take a little time for the water level to go down."
The system's resilience traces to a 20-year, $1.6-billion flood-prevention program approved in 2019. Epcor has completed $350 million in mitigation projects including dry ponds and green infrastructure designed to slow water flow. Three city facilities remain closed due to flooding: the Telus World of Science, the Peter Hemingway Aquatic Centre, and the Grand Trunk Fitness and Leisure Centre's main pool, hot tub, and steam room. The Heritage Amphitheatre in Hawrelak Park has since reopened.
Road crews are on call 24/7 for sudden storms. The city advises anyone spotting damaged infrastructure to report it to 311.
The facts
How many storm-related calls did Edmonton receive in July?
Edmonton fielded more than 4,500 storm-related calls in July 2026, with Epcor receiving approximately 1,600 calls and the city receiving 3,040 calls to 311 between July 1 and July 20.
What flood-prevention work has Edmonton completed?
Epcor has completed $350 million in mitigation projects as part of a 20-year, $1.6-billion flood-prevention program approved in 2019, including dry ponds and green infrastructure designed to slow water flow.
Which Edmonton facilities are closed due to flooding?
Three city facilities remain closed due to flooding: the Telus World of Science, the Peter Hemingway Aquatic Centre, and the Grand Trunk Fitness and Leisure Centre's main pool, hot tub, and steam room.
