Fall Reminder | Check your Driveway Culvert

With fall here, falling leaves and heavy rain can quickly block driveway culverts. A blocked culvert can send water over your driveway, wash out gravel, flood nearby yards and damage roads and ditches.

The Town of Torbay is asking residents to take a few minutes to check the culvert under their driveway, especially before and after heavy rainfall.

What to look for:

Leaves, branches and grass clippings at either end of the culvert
Built-up sand, gravel or dirt
Garbage or debris caught at the opening
Water pooling near your driveway or not draining after a rainfall

How to help:

Clear leaves and debris from both ends of the culvert with a rake or shovel
Do not rake or blow leaves into ditches or culverts
Check again after windy days and heavy rain
Keep the area around the culvert clear so water can flow freely
Safety first: Never enter a culvert or ditch while water is high or flowing fast. Don’t try to clear a blockage that is too large or unsafe to remove yourself.

See a washout or major blockage? Let us know!

If you notice any of the following, please contact the Town Office and our crew will assess and repair it:
Washouts on driveways, roadsides or shoulders
Culverts that are crushed, collapsed or badly blocked
Water flowing over the road or not draining from ditches

Contact the Department of Infrastructure and Public Works: (709)437-6532 ext. 286 or publicworks@torbay.ca

Thank you for helping keep your roads and properties safe this season!