Discussions

I've started looking for a house this year and noticed a few houses for sale along the river. From either grand valley to kasirek bay. What kind of assurance, if any, can anyone provide that would sway my decision to buy close to the river?  
 
Have any of these homeowners had water in their basement due to the high water table?

katann1 said "I've started looking for a house this year and noticed a few houses for sale along the river. From either grand valley to kasirek bay. What kind of assurance, if any, can anyone provide that would sway my decision to buy close to the river?     Have any of these homeowners had water in their basement due to the high water table? "

Had friends that lived on Kasuriak Bay about 15 years ago, they were on the inside of the bay. 75% of the people on the outside of the bay had flooded basements almost every year! So be cautious!!!!!!

On McDonald Ave. watched the flood when it happened from my deck. The river was still 12 feet below the base  
ement of the house. The house has a guaranteed view and never a water problem. 2915 is address.

katann1 said "I've started looking for a house this year and noticed a few houses for sale along the river. From either grand valley to kasirek bay. What kind of assurance, if any, can anyone provide that would sway my decision to buy close to the river?     Have any of these homeowners had water in their basement due to the high water table? "

Those properties likely pay a premium for their house insurance. Be sure to do your research before you buy anything there.

A sump pump would do anything?

Don't assume that just because it's near the river the water table will be high. We have a stepped water table here along the valley walls, so you can be 1/2 way up and hit a pocket of high water, but be 500m either way and be fine. We've had huge water issues due to high water table in our house, and we're not close to the river, yet I know people who have been close to river or down in the Flats and there's been no issue.

katann1 said "A sump pump would do anything? "

When we originally moved into this house, there was a sump stuck in the corner trying to draw the water out from under the house - basically acting like a well trying to bring the water down. There was no drains or any kind of infrastructure going to it. When it was wet like in 2011 and 2014, that pump would cycle every 2-3 minutes at the most, and yet we still had the water table creeping in. In a normal spring, the pump would run for a couple of months, and then start running 12-24 hours after a big rain.  
 
We've since put new drains under the floor (weeping tiles) that channels the water to the pump, which is situated in the corner and at the lowest point of our property. That pump might have run once this year (it's working - we checked) because the drain is doing a good job giving the water a place to go, or at least that's what we're assuming.  
 
So yes, sump pumps might help, but it will depend how the pump is used. One problem you will run into at the valley bottom is that the soil in much heavier in clay, similar to what is in the Red River Valley/Winnipeg (gumbo), which can impede drainage. Higher up, out of the valley, it tends to be sandier. Our old house was at the top of the hill, and even though we knew there was water right there (sandpoint wells), because it was so sandy we never had issues with water in the house.

The outside of the bay meaning the houses that back on to kirkcaldy and 1st?

Hey Abbysmum. Was going to private message you but I don't think you have it enabled. Would it be possible to private message you?