Hydrology & Climate Change Adaptation SCAR2025 EarthCache
Hidden : 5/10/2025
Difficulty:
3 out of 5
Terrain:
1 out of 5

Size: Size: other (other)

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Geocache Description:


NOTE This  cache is for the SCAR event, and should not be sought out until after 5:30 pm on May 23rd. 2025.

Dry Detention Ponds: Urban Flood Control in Action

Earth Cache Logging Tasks:

To log this EarthCache, please visit the location and answer the following questions. (You may email your answers to the cache owner if preferred.) Optional: include a photo of yourself or a personal item with the pond in the background.

Question 1: Describe the basin.

Is the area currently dry, wet, or saturated? What visible features (e.g., grass growth, drains, sediment lines) help you determine this?

 

Question 2: Stormwater Flow.

Where does stormwater come from, and how does it enter and leave the dry pond? Look for inlets and outlets.

 

Question 3: Volume and Flood Protection.

Estimate the depth of the pond and total water capacity at full flood. How does this help prevent flooding in homes and streets?

 

 

Question 4: Climate Change and Resilience.

Why are projects like this one becoming more common in Saskatoon and other prairie cities?   How does this infrastructure help during intense rain events?

 

 

Photo:

Take a picture of yourself, your GPS, or another personal item near the posted coordinates with the detention pond area in view. (Please do not include photos taken during flooding or from unsafe locations.)

You may "log" the earth cache when you are on site and post your photo, however, if I don't receive the required earth cache earth science answer from you within 24 hours, I'll have to delete your log.  

DO NOT POST ANSWERS IN YOUR LOG BUT PLEASE ADD YOUR PHOTO TO THE LOG.   Please don’t provide the answers in when logging the cache online, but use “Send answers” feature.  Please remember to answer to the best of your ability. As long as you give it your best effort, we'll be happy to accept your responses.  You will probably find some of the answers you are looking for in this description page, or on the interpretive sign!

Photo courtesy CO

Satellite image courtesy Google Maps and Airbus, Maxar Technologies

 Earth Science Learning Objective:

To understand how dry detention ponds operate as part of urban watershed management and flood control infrastructure—especially as adaptations to climate change in prairie cities like Saskatoon.

 Earth Science Background:

Welcome to the W.W. Ashley District Dry Storm Pond, a key component of Saskatoon’s Flood Control Strategy and a working example of a dry detention basin. While this area may look like a grassy park or sports field during dry weather, it plays a critical role during intense rainfall events.  The W.W. Ashley Dry Pond is a local example of how earth science and engineering intersect to build resilient urban environments. As climate change intensifies weather patterns, features like this one demonstrate that sustainable watershed management is not only about technology, but also about working with natural systems—creating public spaces that are both functional and enjoyable.

Water Cycle Graphic courtesy Zhang et al. Creative Commons CC-BY-NC-ND
 

 What is a Dry Detention Pond?

A dry detention pond (also called a dry pond or detention basin) is a shallow basin designed to temporarily store stormwater runoff from streets and sidewalks during heavy rain events. Unlike wet ponds, these basins are typically dry between rainfalls and do not hold standing water long term. 

Unlike wet ponds, these basins do not hold a permanent pool of water.

Instead, after a heavy rainfall, stormwater flows into the basin through storm drains and underground pipes. The water collects in the pond, where it is slowly released into the municipal stormwater system or nearby water bodies—often over 24 to 48 hours. This delay reduces the peak flow rate, minimizes flood risk, and allows sediments and pollutants to settle.

  Graphic of Dry Pond courtesy Sustainable Technologies Evaluation Program Creative Commons Attribution 4.0

Why Are They Important?

Saskatoon, like many prairie cities, is facing more frequent and intense rainstorms due to climate change. Older neighbourhoods built before 1989 often lack adequate stormwater infrastructure. In these areas, extreme storms can overwhelm pipes, leading to street and basement flooding.

Projects like this one—approved by Saskatoon City Council in 2018 and completed in 2022—are designed to:

  • Protect vulnerable neighbourhoods from flooding

  • Adapt infrastructure to 21st-century climate realities

  • Provide dual-use green spaces for recreation and stormwater storage

This pond is part of a citywide strategy, with nine dry pond projects approved for completion by 2027.

 

Flood Control Function

When rain begins, stormwater is directed into catch basins along city streets. This water then travels through underground pipes into the dry pond. Within minutes, water enters the pond and begins to fill it. At full capacity, the W.W. Ashley pond can hold approximately 15 million litres of water and reach a depth of 2.8 metres.

After the storm, the pond slowly releases water into the South Saskatchewan River via the stormwater system, reducing peak flow rates and preventing street and basement flooding in the surrounding neighbourhoods. This is critical in areas developed prior to 1989, which often lack modern stormwater infrastructure.

Water Cycle Graphic courtesy Zhang et al. Creative Commons CC-BY-NC-ND

Earth Science Connections:

  • Hydrological Cycle: Dry detention ponds are human-built interventions in the natural water cycle. They influence runoff, infiltration, and evapotranspiration processes within an urban watershed.

  • Watershed Management: By holding and slowly releasing water, detention ponds reduce stress on downstream systems and prevent erosion and sedimentation.

  • Coupled Human-Natural Systems: These ponds are excellent examples of integrated solutions that blend engineering, landscape design, and natural processes.

  • Soil and Vegetation: When naturalized, dry ponds filter water using soil and root systems. But in areas with paved surfaces, water flows off too quickly, bypassing these filters—leading to water quality and volume issues.

  • Hydrologic Cycle: This pond delays surface runoff, which allows some sediment and pollutants to settle before the water enters the river.

  • Urbanization & Runoff: In developed areas, impervious surfaces like pavement accelerate runoff. Detention ponds slow and control this water, easing pressure on sewer systems and reducing erosion.

  • Climate Change Resilience: With intense rainfall becoming more frequent, dry ponds are a nature-based solution for urban flood management.

Climate Change Variables Graphic courtesy Zhang et al. Creative Commons CC-BY-NC-ND

In Conclusion:

Dry stormwater ponds temporarily store runoff during intense rainfalls and usually remain dry, while wet ponds maintain a permanent pool of water year-round and provide more water quality treatment.

The W.W. Ashley Dry Pond showcases how thoughtful urban design and Earth science principles come together to address real-world challenges. Whether it's providing a calm green space during dry days or acting as a critical buffer against floods, this pond is a powerful example of nature-based solutions for our changing climate.

Photo courtesy CO

🎉 Congratulations, Pilot172! 🎉

You've officially mastered the art of EarthCaching—with your stellar log on “Dry Detention Ponds: Urban Flood Control in Action” during SCAR 2025, no less! 💦📍🌍

While some geocachers are out chasing ammo cans and bison tubes in tree stumps, you were knee-deep in the real science—stormwater management, hydrological cycles, and urban climate resilience. And not only did you find the cache, you cracked the code of runoff and retention like a true Prairie Seeker.

Your thoughtful observations, sharp eye for infrastructure, and commitment to understanding the why behind the where have made this cache owner’s heart sing (and spared your log from deletion—bonus!). 🌿📸

So here’s to you:

  • For facing the dry pond with a flood of curiosity,

  • For connecting GPS dots and storm drain logic,

  • And for showing that geocaching isn’t just about Tupperware—it’s about terrain, tech, and tenacity.

From all of us at SCAR and the geo-community:
congratulations for the FTF Pilot172—Thanks For The Commitment, the Curiosity, and the Cache!

May your satellite signals stay strong, your rain gear stay handy, and your logs forever be accepted with grace. 🧭👏

"Geocachers do it in all weather... but EarthCachers understand why the urban long range planners are preparing for the weather."

Dry Pond Retention Bibliography

Access to W.W. Ashley Park via Saskatoon Transit Via Bus: 06 or Via Bus: 81

In 2025, geocaching is celebrating 25 glorious years—and to mark this milestone, we’ve embraced Back to Nature theme in the second quarter of the year. Don't forget to check what is coming up in the third quarter!  If you’re participating, don’t forget to share your Back to Nature finds on social media! Tag @geocaching and use #GeoHT25 for a chance to be featured on Instagram.  Optional step (this is not an ALR: "Additional Logging Requirement".)

  1. One may partake in this delightful endeavor by concealing a geocache inspired by "back to nature" between the dates of March 26 – June 5, 2025. Upon completing such a noble task, I beseech you to nominate your cache by filling out the designated form.
  2. If one should have the good fortune of discovering a "back to nature"-themed geocache between March 26 – June 5, 2025, I encourage you to share your find by nominating the cache with the completion of a simple form.
  3. Might I suggest that you partake in the spirit of social sharing by posting your photographs of the geocache upon the popular medium of Instagram? Be sure to tag @geocaching and employ the hashtag #GeoHT25 for a delightful opportunity to have your contribution featured upon Instagram’s Stories.

The 2025 themes:

  • Frogs 🐸    January 28 – March 5, 2025    
  • Back to Nature 🌲🍃    March 26 – June 5, 2025     
  • Hidden Gems 🗺️ 💎    June 25 – September 5, 2025    
  • Blast from the Past 📚📺 (25 Years of Geocaching) 🗓️    October 1 – December 5, 2025

Rewards for taking part in the 2025 geocaching themes 

 

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Ybbx sbe n ybj-ylvat cnex fcnpr gung punatrf checbfr jura gur fxvrf bcra hc.

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
-------------------------
N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)


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