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Crews were out thawing catch basins this past week, gearing up for this spring's big snow melt (Photo supplied by the City of Grande Prairie)
By Shaun Penner
Spring Thaw

City crews shifting gears in preparation of spring melt

Mar 20, 2021 | 7:00 AM

With the arrival of the first day of spring, City of Grande Prairie crews are gearing up for spring operations. Crews began thawing catch basins around the city this week as snow continues to melt, making its way into the storm sewer system.

Transportation and Parks Manager with the City Robert Carroll says though most problem areas have been dealt with, crews are still out with picks, shovels and hot water making sure water can flow freely into the drainage system.

“Fingers crossed we’re on the other side of spring thaw,” said Carroll.

“This week we have lost a lot of snow, so the combination of mother nature and our crews out working hard at problem areas, and service requests that we get in, I think we’ve gotten most the big issues under control.”

With that, Carroll says his department will be looking to move into further spring cleaning tasks around the city.

“I’m always the optimist with spring coming, but by the looks of things we really hope it’s there,” added Carroll.

“Next week, we are going to shift gears a bit here… so you’ll see some of our crews out, starting to clean off some of the boulevards and getting a couple sweepers out doing some of the high priority intersections, that type of thing.”

The city says it is also a good time for homeowners to start doing some preventative work around the yard.

Carroll says things like making sure downspouts and eaves are cleared of ice are small things people can do to make sure melting snow does not get trapped, as well as ensuring your sump pump is working and the discharge hose is pointed towards public property but is at least two metres back from the curb.

“If you have any window wells in your basement, making sure the snow is cleared away from there. It’s always a good thing to do to get out and get your shovel and shovel the snow out away from your house so you don’t get that (snow) melting alongside your foundation,” said Carroll. “Get the water to run away from your house, instead of against your house.”

Carroll also asks drivers to watch out for crews as they are working along the roadside over the coming weeks.

“Watch out for staff out with brooms and shovels, and some of our smaller equipment out cleaning off boulevards,” said Carroll. “We should have all of our sweepers out next week.”

by Shaun Penner