Council hires engineer to figure out what happened to the Frog Pond

By Mark Squibb / July 14, 2023

When their beloved skating gully in Topsail dried up last fall, residents of Frog Pond Road in Conception Bay South laid the blame on newly completed water and sewer work along their lane.

Now, it may be only a matter of time until their theory is put to the test.

The council has hired an engineering consulting firm, Stantec, to investigate what may have caused water levels in Frog Pond to drop.

“The Town has engaged Stantec to undertake a desktop hydrology assessment of Frog Pond, and what that will do is actually look at the groundwater, how it flows, and how it interacts with the surrounding materials such as the soil and the rocks in the area,” explained councilor Melissa Hardy during her Engineering and Public Works Committee update at this week’s public council meeting. “The work scope is going to include a review of all the existing data to date – the tender, construction document, photos, permits, inspection reports, for example, and official bedrock geological maps and topographical maps.”

A report will summarize findings which will include the hydrology, hydrological characteristics of the Frog Pond and the area, what may have or likely have occurred during the water and sewer construction to change water patterns and what may happen moving forward with the water levels of Frog Pond

Hardy added the Town’s engineering manager met with Stantec earlier in the week and that the Town has submitted all existing data, and that a site visit is in the works for next week.

Harding also said Stantec will be meeting with the property owner to ensure he is kept up to date on the investigation. The gully is actually located on land owned by businessman Randy Bell, but has been made available for the enjoyment of the public for generations.

Mayor Darrin Bent thanked councillors for their support of the inquiry and said the investigation will be used to determine what action, if any, council needs to take to rectify the issue. The matter was not put to a vote, as it appeared to be an already done deal, and the cost of the investigation was not released.