Stormwater Management Ponds
The City of Vaughan operates and maintains more than 150 stormwater management ponds, which are designed and built to collect rainfall and other runoff.
About stormwater management ponds
After rain or snowfall, the water left behind on roads, sidewalks, grass and pathways is called “stormwater.” In natural areas, this water is ordinarily absorbed into the ground by plants and soil. However, pavement and other hard surfaces – such as driveways, sidewalks and roofs – prevent this absorption, leading to water pooling or flooding.
To help manage stormwater and reduce flooding, the City operates and maintains stormwater management ponds throughout Vaughan. These are designed ponds that gather and retain rainfall and surface water runoff. The ponds are typically found in neighbourhoods where stormwater can easily be collected. The City manages more than 150 stormwater ponds.
Stormwater ponds can be either wet or dry and are designed to temporarily hold water before releasing it slowly back into the environment at a controlled rate.
A dry pond remains dry until a rain event, which may result in the temporary retention of stormwater.
A wet pond holds water all the time and collects and stores runoff from rain and melted snow. Wet ponds collect sediment so only clean water is released back into rivers, creeks and lakes.
The following activities are not permitted within the City’s stormwater pond properties:
Planting gardens or cutting grass on pond property.
Storing yard materials on pond property.
Installing gates to access pond property from fenced yards.
Disposing of grass clippings, yard waste or garbage on pond property or into a pond.
Disturbing plants and vegetation around a pond.
Disposing of pet fish in a pond.
Disposing of swimming pool water and chemicals down a catch basin, on pond property or in a pond.
Reporting an issue
Notice a stormwater pond that requires attention? Report issues, including any odours, beaver activity (damming) or high water levels, to Service Vaughan online at 905-832-2281 or service@vaughan.ca.
Littering and illegal dumping are prohibited under the City’s Dumping By-law 103-2020 (PDF). If you witness either of these actions at a stormwater pond, please report it to Service Vaughan at 905-832-2281 or service@vaughan.ca.
Have you noticed a visible sheen or film on the surface of a pond or abnormal water colour in it? This may be a sign of an environmental spill. If you see this, immediately notify the City at 905-832-2281. When reporting, please provide as much information as possible, such as the exact location or nearest address, what it is or looks like, if you saw how the spill happened and how long it may have been there.