Rain, melted snow and runoff flow into underground storm sewer pipes through our 22,000+ storm drains on Regina’s roads.
Flood Protection
The City has measures in place to reduce flooding in known problem areas throughout our community. Detention and retention ponds, as well as dikes and berms, direct as much runoff as possible away from roads and sewers. Dikes and berms act as barriers to help keep the water away, helping to prevent flooding in basements of homes and businesses. Detention and retention ponds will fill with water until the drainage system is able to handle it.
Residents are encouraged to guard against flooding in their homes and properties. We offer a number of flood protection tips for homeowners to help you stay dry.
Flood Protection Tips for Your Property
Outside
- Ensure your gutters and downspouts are cleared of any leaves and debris.
- Extend all downspouts and sump pump hoses at least six feet away from the foundation.
- Ensure the ground around your foundation is sloping away from the foundation preventing pooling of water and seepage into the basement.
- Clear snow away at least six feet from the foundation.
- Remove any debris or snow from any window wells.
Inside
- Check to make sure your sump pump is working. If you don’t have a sump pump, consider installing one.
- Consider installing a Backflow Prevention Valve to protect against sewer backups and ensure it is regularly maintained and clear of debris.
- Keep basement sewer caps in place.
- Check your basement regularly for signs of water and consider installing a water-sensing alarm.
- Remove items blocking water drainage pathway to the floor drain.
- Store hazardous materials in watertight containers or remove from basement.
- Raise electronics off the basement floor.
Storm Drains
When storm drains are frozen or filled with debris, storm water and melting snow cannot drain away from alleys, streets or greenspaces next to your property. Keep your sidewalk, gutter and the area around storm drains clear for rain, melting ice and snow to enter the drainage system and prevent flooding.
Everything that enters the storm drains go directly into Wascana Creek untreated. Household products, like paint, oil, and fertilizers, that enter the drains can affect the health of our creeks, rivers and the land surrounding them, as well as the health of wildlife and fish that rely on them.
7 ways you can help protect Wascana Creek and the Qu’Appelle River:
- Never pour anything down the storm drain
- Limit the use of fertilizers and pesticides
- Point downspouts toward lawns and gardens
- Use a rain barrel with your downspouts
- Sweep up debris from your garage and driveway instead of washing it away
- Wash your vehicle at a car wash
- Pick up after your pet
Report a Blocked Storm Drain
To report a blocked storm drain or an area with poor drainage to be inspected, provide the location by street address or nearest intersection through an online service request or 306-777-7000 weekdays between 8 a.m. and 4:45 p.m.
Rain Barrels
Make every drop count: Collect and use rainwater
Using a rain barrel is a great way to capture and reuse rainwater in your yard. Capturing rainwater helps keep your plants healthy and reduces the amount of City water you use. Rain barrels can also help reduce stormwater runoffs in creeks and rivers to mitigate flooding.
Based on an analysis of rainfall in Regina and the capacity of standard rain barrels, if only 5,000 residents made use of a 50-gallon rain barrel, roughly 1.14 million litres of water could be stored at any single time. If rain barrels are used properly, being emptied between storms from April to October, this system could potentially divert over 2 million gallons of stormwater from Regina’s drainage system annually.
Using captured rainwater on your flowers or grass before turning on the garden hose can help you save money on your water bill.
The University of Saskatchewan has further information on the use of rain barrels which can be found here. https://gardening.usask.ca/articles-and-lists/articles-how-to/rain-barrels.php
Please note: Collected rainwater is not potable, which means you shouldn’t use it for drinking water or hygienic purposes like washing your hands or your dishes.
Storm Pond
Floating Treatment Wetlands in Regina Stormwater Retention Ponds
Residents may notice floating islands of vegetation in the Lakewood, Rochdale and Lakeridge storm ponds beginning late May, 2026. These are called floating treatment wetlands, and they are a natural way to help improve water quality and support local wildlife.
The City of Regina is partnering with the Saskatchewan Association of Watersheds (SAW) and Wascana & Upper Qu’Appelle Watersheds Association Taking Responsibility (WUQWATR) to install the floating wetlands as part of a freshwater stewardship project supported by Environment and Climate Change Canada.
What are floating treatment wetlands?
Floating treatment wetlands are floating gardens made up of plants that naturally grow in shallow water. Beneath the floating islands, the plants grow long roots into the water that help clean it.
Why are they being installed in storm ponds?
Stormwater retention ponds help prevent flooding by collecting rainwater and snowmelt runoff from nearby neighbourhoods and slowly releasing it downstream. They also help improve water quality before it reaches Wascana Creek.
As water flows over streets, sidewalks and lawns, it can pick up dirt, nutrients, and pollutants, carrying them into stormwater retention ponds. Nutrients, like phosphorus and nitrogen, are important because they help plants grow. However, when too many nutrients build up in the water, they can cause algae to grow quickly and turn the water green. This is called an algae bloom. Excessive algae growth can reduce oxygen in the water, create unpleasant smells and make the pond less healthy for wildlife, birds and insects.
What are the benefits?
The floating wetlands are expected to:
- Improve water quality
- Help reduce algae growth
- Support the growth of good bacteria that break down pollutants
- Create habitat for birds, pollinators and other wildlife
- Support sustainable stormwater management practices
Installation and Monitoring
Installation will take place in late May and early June of 2026. City employees and local elementary and high school students will help plant the floating islands before they are anchored into place within the ponds.
The wetlands will remain permanently installed and water quality will be monitored during spring and summer over the next five years to help measure the effectiveness of the project.
