FAQs • Cochrane, AB • CivicEngage

What do stormwater facilities do?

Stormwater are specifically created to take run-off from local streets and filter it before it flows into the river.

Stormwater facilities are not ever safe for recreational use (skating, walking) for a number of reasons:

inlet and outlet pipes keep water continuously flowing beneath the frozen top layer
the ice surface varies in depth across the whole surface. It may appear thick in some areas, but other areas may have little or no ice —you won’t be able to tell by looking
snow often obscures holes in the inconsistent ice
salt content in the runoff from roads impedes the water’s ability to freeze (remember: this is salt used to melt ice on the roads)
Town crews actually lower the water level under the ice to reduce H2S gas levels. This creates a dangerous air pocket between any ice that has already formed and the top of the water

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Roads

1. Who do I contact if Highway 1A or Highway 22 requires maintenance?: Volker Stevin maintains the highways and traffic lights within the Town for Alberta Transportation. Please call 888-877-6237 or visit their website.

2. When does the Town clear the streets?: Snow plowing begins after three centimetres of snow accumulates, or when drifting snow impedes traffic movement.

3. Are all residential streets maintained in the winter?: Roads Division's primary goal during any snowstorm is to keep primary and collector streets open and safe for the motoring public. Priority is given to emergency routes. Due to operational costs, we only plow and sand the designated priorities on a regular basis, unless roadways are rendered impassable to the motoring public and emergency vehicles.

4. Why did the snowplow leave a ridge of snow along the front of my driveway?: The Town's primary duty is to open and maintain the main roadway system, these ridges are called windrows, our crews try to keep blocked driveways to a minimum. We are unable to clear windrows due to limited resources. .

5. Why do plows throw snow on my sidewalk?: Plows need to go a minimum speed in order to throw the snow off to the side, and we try not to throw the snow any further than necessary. In some cases, however, the sidewalks are too close to the curb to avoid getting snow on them.

6. Why don't they plow the snow all the way back to the curb so that I have more room to park?: Operators are instructed to stay back from the curb to allow storm water to reach catch basins, and prevent any damage to the curb and sodded areas.

7. Why did the snowplow push all the snow around my parked vehicle?: If you park on a major arterial thoroughfare (for example, Quigley Drive or a residential collector route) during a snow event, there is chance that a snowplow could pass and push snow around your car. Please use off-street parking during snow storm cleanup instead.

8. Why can't the plows push the snow to the other side of the street where there is no sidewalk?: During initial cleanup stage the primary objective is to ensure all designated priorities are plowed and sanded. In order for the crews to plow all the snow from one side of the street to the other where applicable (for example, parks and open boulevards), they require additional traffic control to ensure the safety of themselves and the motoring public. This procedure will only be initiated when road conditions are stabilized and staffing becomes available.

9. Does the Town have a bylaw requiring sidewalk snow removal?: Yes. Whenever snow or ice is deposited on the sidewalk(s), fronting or abutting occupied premises, the occupier of the premises shall remove the snow or ice from such portion of the sidewalk(s) within 48 hours after the snow or ice was deposited in accordance with Town of Cochrane Snow Removal Bylaw 01/2009.

10. Why is the street sweeper operating during the winter?: When the weather permits, the Roads Division cleans paved streets and Town-owned parking lots taking all practical measures to ensure the protection of the environment by reducing storm water pollutants from entering our local water courses through the storm sewer system.

Some additional reasons for winter sweeping include: cleanliness, dust control, accident prevention (because of hazards caused by loose gravel) and because material cleaned off the roadways in winter means faster cleanup in springtime.

11. Where do I put the snow?: As per the current Snow Removal Bylaw, a person who removes snow or ice from public or private sidewalks and/or public or private driveways shall not deposit snow or ice upon any street, highway or boulevard and shall not impede storm sewer run off or block access to any storm sewer grate or fire hydrant. When possible, shovel snow and ice onto your property.

12. Do you clear the snow off town pathways?: Snow is cleared from paved town pathways but not the red shale ones.

During a snowstorm, avoid parking along emergency routes, arterial thoroughfares and collectors.

Exercise extreme care when driving in inclement weather. Driving on snow packed and icy roads requires your full attention. Allow extra room between you and the vehicle ahead of you.

During times of reduced visibility, watch for bicycles, disabled individuals and pedestrians, especially around schools. If at all possible, do not drive during a storm: it is much safer to stay at home and wait until conditions improve.

Never assume that because the temperature is above zero the roads are safe. Road salt does not work miracles and is not effective below -10 degrees Celsius.

14. I would like to make a suggestion; who can I send it to?: We are happy to receive suggestions. Email us!

You may also drop your suggestions off at the Town Operations Shop:
124 Griffin Road East
Cochrane, AB

15. Help! My street appears flooded!: If water has accumulated on the road near your house, on your driveway or front lawn, you may be located near a trap low. A trap low is a device that slows the flow of water into stormwater ponds; it is designed to hold the water on the street (properties on streets with trap lows are graded to keep the water away from foundations). If rainwater accumulation has not drained 24 hours after the rain stops, please contact Town of Cochrane Operations at 403-851-2590. More info on trap lows.

Stormwater are specifically created to take run-off from local streets and filter it before it flows into the river.

Stormwater facilities are not ever safe for recreational use (skating, walking) for a number of reasons:

inlet and outlet pipes keep water continuously flowing beneath the frozen top layer
the ice surface varies in depth across the whole surface. It may appear thick in some areas, but other areas may have little or no ice —you won’t be able to tell by looking
snow often obscures holes in the inconsistent ice
salt content in the runoff from roads impedes the water’s ability to freeze (remember: this is salt used to melt ice on the roads)
Town crews actually lower the water level under the ice to reduce H2S gas levels. This creates a dangerous air pocket between any ice that has already formed and the top of the water

17. Is it possible to get a disabled parking spot on the street in front of my house?: The Town occasionally installs "Disabled Parking Only" signs on a public street if warranted. To be considered, you must be able to prove that you have a permanent disabled parking placard for your vehicle AND you must not have access to to other off-street parking (garage, driveway, carport, etc). If this is the case, please contact us to initiate a discussion (please include your address): roads@cochrane.ca.