Stormwater Management in Calgary & Surrounding Areas

Dry pond construction, stormwater detention basins, catch basin installations, oil-grit separators, and swale grading for commercial sites.

Stormwater management is a critical component of commercial and industrial site development in Calgary. Municipal regulations require that commercial properties control the rate and quality of stormwater runoff leaving the site, preventing downstream flooding, protecting water quality in natural waterways, and reducing the burden on municipal storm sewer systems. Origin Earthworks provides complete stormwater management infrastructure construction for commercial and industrial properties.

Our stormwater management services begin with a review of the engineered stormwater management plan for the site. This plan, typically prepared by a civil engineer, specifies the required detention volume, outlet control structure design, catch basin locations, and pipe sizes. We work directly with the engineer of record to ensure our excavation and installation work meets every specification.

Retention and detention ponds are the most common stormwater management facilities we construct. Detention ponds are designed to temporarily hold stormwater and release it slowly through a controlled outlet, reducing peak flow rates during heavy rainfall. Retention ponds hold water permanently and may include water quality treatment features such as sediment forebays and vegetated shelves. We excavate these ponds to the exact dimensions and side slopes specified in the engineered drawings, ensuring the storage volume and flow characteristics match the design.

Catch basins and manholes are installed at strategic locations to collect surface runoff and direct it into the stormwater system. We excavate to the required depth, place compacted stone bedding, and set heavy precast concrete structures with precise elevations to ensure proper flow through the pipe network. We also install oil-grit separators, which are underground structures that remove sediment and hydrocarbons from stormwater before it is discharged.

Large-diameter storm pipe trenching connects all the components of the stormwater management system. We excavate trenches to the specified depth and slope, place bedding material, set the pipe, and backfill with compacted material. For outfall structures where stormwater discharges into a natural watercourse or municipal drain, we install rip-rap stone lining to prevent erosion at the discharge point.

Uncontrolled stormwater on commercial lots leads to pavement erosion, building flooding, and costly environmental fines. Our team excavates retention ponds lined with clay or geotextile membranes, sets heavy concrete catch basins, and grades parking lots for positive flow into drainage structures.

We handle both new commercial stormwater construction and repairs or expansions to existing containment infrastructure.

Calgary's stormwater management regulations are among the most stringent in Alberta, reflecting the city's commitment to protecting the Bow and Elbow River watersheds. The City of Calgary requires commercial and industrial properties to obtain stormwater management approvals, design detention facilities that limit post-development runoff to pre-development rates, and install water quality treatment devices such as oil-grit separators. Properties in Calgary's southeast and northeast industrial areas are particularly subject to these requirements due to their proximity to sensitive waterways.

The Calgary region's intense summer thunderstorms and heavy spring snowmelt create significant stormwater challenges for commercial properties. Clay soils common throughout the region have low infiltration rates, meaning that rainfall generates surface runoff rather than soaking into the ground. Our experience working with Calgary's stormwater management requirements and the soil conditions throughout the region means we can design and construct stormwater facilities that meet municipal standards, handle peak flow events, and protect both your property investment and the downstream watershed.