Follow runoff routes
Record where water enters the paved area, where it slows, how it crosses or leaves and what changes after significant rain. Roof discharge and adjacent ground can matter as much as the paved grade.
- Up-slope water sources
- Ponding and clearing time
- Low edge or outlet
- Downhill receiving area
Read the edge condition
Cracking or breakup along an unconfined edge can accompany shoulder erosion, vehicle loading or loss of adjacent support. Photograph both the asphalt and the material beside it.
- Edge drop-off
- Shoulder erosion
- Vegetation or root pressure
- Turning loads near the edge
Map movement and soft zones
Depressions, recurring repairs and soft areas should become location-specific questions about excavation, base correction and drainage—not assumptions about a uniform section.
- Location and approximate size
- Change after rainfall
- Relationship to wheel paths
- Nearby repairs or utilities
Keep ditches and culverts inside the boundary
A ditch, culvert or public approach can trigger separate permissions or design questions. Confirm current City requirements for the exact address and scope before proposing changes.
- Ownership and jurisdiction
- Public versus private connection
- Outlet and downstream impact
- Qualified design review when needed
The City says a Watercourse Protection Development Permit is required for new development within 50 metres of a water feature, including streams, wetlands, ponds or ditches. Whether that applies depends on the project and property. Confirm the boundary before changing grading, discharge, a ditch or culvert.
City of Maple Ridge — Water Protection & Management · City of Maple Ridge — Sanitary & Storm Sewers · City of Maple Ridge — Highway Use Permit
Sources reviewed September 22, 2026. Confirm current requirements for the exact address and scope.