Calgary to upgrade safety at 15 storm ponds following child's drowning

The City of Calgary is moving ahead with safety upgrades at 15 storm ponds across the city following the drowning of a seven-year-old girl at a southeast Calgary storm pond last month.

Work is scheduled to begin in mid-August and will include new and replacement warning signs, additional vegetation, and permanent or seasonal fencing designed to discourage public access.

City officials say the 15 storm ponds were identified as the highest priority based on physical site assessments and 311 reports of recreational activities such as skating and fishing.

Calgary has more than 300 storm ponds, which are designed to manage stormwater as part of the city's drainage infrastructure. Officials stress that the ponds are not recreational facilities and can pose serious risks throughout the year.

The city warns that storm ponds can have rapidly changing water levels, muddy bottoms, poor water quality, and polluted runoff, making them unsafe for activities such as swimming, skating, or fishing.

About half of the 15 locations selected for upgrades are located in Ward 12.

Ward 12 Coun. Mike Jamieson said he supports the additional safety measures, emphasizing that improving public safety will require a combination of education, enforcement, and personal responsibility.

The City of Calgary says it will continue assessing other storm ponds across the city to determine whether additional safety improvements are needed.