Heavy Rain Causes Major Ponding in Canmore

What’s Happening? A series of monster puddles have taken over parts of Canmore after downpours over the August long weekend, flooding parking lots, intersections, and even businesses.

The Usual Suspects. Two of the worst offenders? The parking lot outside Canmore Lube & Muffler and the corner of 17th Street and 8th Avenue. Locals say those spots have been ponding for over a decade, with one resident joking their phys ed teacher could’ve held canoe lessons there.

Business Woes. The water isn't just inconvenient, it’s disruptive. Crazyweed Kitchen staff had to ditch their shoes and wade barefoot to their cars. Canmore Climbing Gym and Core Values both closed temporarily after water intruded.

Temporary Fixes, Long-Term Frustrations. Comments on social media suggest the town pumped out some water, only for it to return with the next rain. Residents are fed up with the patchwork fixes, speculating that high water tables, clogged drains, and aging infrastructure are all culprits.

Public vs Private Property Blame Game. Who's responsible? It depends. Some of these ponding areas fall under town jurisdiction, others are the responsibility of private landlords. Either way, tenants are getting tired of soggy commutes and closed doors.

Local Lore. These puddles are so persistent, they’ve earned nicknames like “Canmore Lake.” During the 2013 floods, one even connected to Policeman’s Creek.

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