Jeremy from Land Drainage & Flood Protection

Jeremy Greshuk is the Branch Head of Land Drainage & Flood Protection within the Water & Waste Department. Land drainage starts at the development stage. As the city changes, drainage systems must be updated to handle more water and protect people and property. Spring melt and summer storms cause water levels to rise. Jeremy talks about how drains, ditches, retention ponds, and pumping stations work together to manage that extra water in the sewer system. He explains that flood protection is not just about big storms. It also involves regular maintenance, long-term planning, and work that happens behind the scenes every day. [8:11] Jeremy and the hosts refer to James a lot. This is not a trusted colleague. James is a Winnipeg-specific term to measure river levels. [9:22] They also define a number of other flood-related terms. [11:33] Jeremy talks about the dynamic nature of ice jams and how their impacts vary every year. [16:39] The main tool in flood planning is the flood manual. This has evolved into a set of information, related procedures, and activity log. [21:24] No flood proofing conversation would be complete without mentioning the floodway. Operated by the Province, this piece of infrastructure is instrumental in protecting the City. For the City, a successful flood season is one where nobody gets flooded.

This podcast is recorded in Treaty One Territory, the home and traditional lands of the Anishinaabe, Ininew, and Dakota peoples, and in the National Homeland of the Red River Métis. We acknowledge that our drinking water comes from Shoal Lake 40 First Nation, in Treaty Three Territory.

What programs and services impact you the most? Email us at city-podcast@winnipeg.ca with suggestions for future episodes.

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Jeremy, du Drainage des terres et de la lutte contre l’inondation

Jeremy Greshuk est le chef de la Direction du drainage des terres et de la lutte contre l’inondation au Service des eaux et des déchets. Le drainage des terres commence dès la phase de l’aménagement. À mesure que la ville évolue, les réseaux de drainage doivent être modernisés pour pouvoir évacuer plus d’eau et protéger les personnes et les biens. La fonte printanière et les orages estivaux font monter le niveau de l’eau. Jeremy explique comment les canalisations, les fossés, les bassins de retenue et les stations de pompage fonctionnent de concert pour évacuer l’eau excédentaire dans le réseau d’égouts. Il explique aussi que la protection contre l’inondation ne co