TRACK 1, DAY 1
The Pond-Wetland-Park Continuum: Making Multi-Benefit Stormwater Work
Anton Skorobogatov, Kerr Wood Leidal Associates Ltd.
Tuesday, March 31, 2026 | 3:45 p.m. to 4:15 p.m. | Hall A
ABSTRACT
Cities are reimagining stormwater facilities as multifunctional infrastructure delivering hydrologic and erosion control benefits, water-quality treatment, ecological functions, and public amenity.
This session introduces the Pond-Wetland-Park Continuum, a conceptual and design framework developed to inform updates to The City of Calgary’s Stormwater Management Design Manual. The framework broadens conventional facility classes into a spectrum of system functions that are responsive to site context, planning needs, and ecological opportunity.
The focus of this presentation is on translating policy into practical design and operations choices for pond-wetland systems, drawing on municipal lessons that highlight how design approaches of the past ought to evolve to meet today’s climate variability and growth dynamics.
We define the multi-functional performance envelope, considering flood control, sediment and pollutant removal, habitat quality, access and public safety, and identify breaking points under stressors such as flashy storms, prolonged inundation, unmanaged sediment deposition, and eutrophication.
This presentation will navigate the trade-offs inherent in multifunctional facilities: when wetlands are exposed to sedimentation and high-energy flows; when selective flow-splitting or upstream/source controls are needed to sustain multiple benefits; and when to diversify treatment trains to meet stringent water-quality targets.
The overarching aim of this session is to frame design options and implications, highlight operational realities, and pinpoint opportunities where stormwater goals align with open-space planning and natural-area management.
ABOUT THE PRESENTER
Anton Skorobogatov, Kerr Wood Leidal Associates Ltd.
With a PhD in Engineering and over a decade of consulting and applied research experience, Anton Skorobogatov is recognized for advancing practical, nature-based stormwater solutions that balance performance, maintenance needs, and ecological integrity.
Anton has delivered projects across Alberta and Western Canada involving constructed wetlands, bioretention systems, and integrated stormwater management facilities. His experience spans both pilot-scale and system-scale projects that support municipalities in integrating nature-based solutions to address drainage, water quality, and long-term infrastructure performance. His work has demonstrated that wetlands and green infrastructure can be robust and effective when designed with an understanding of natural variability and long-term maintenance needs.
Building on this experience, he is leading the development of new guidance within the City of Calgary’s Stormwater Management Manual that emphasizes the integration of stormwater performance with ecosystem benefits and public amenities. Anton’s approach emphasizes designing for change, recognizing that stormwater and wetland systems are dynamic and require solutions that evolve with natural processes and community needs.
He has worked through every stage of the project cycle: from concept development and feasibility through detailed design, construction, commissioning, and monitoring, bringing a full lifecycle perspective to each project and a clear understanding of what works in the field.