Water Security Agency warns of dangers during spring melt

Large slabs of ice could be seen breaking apart and picking up speed as they moved through the Battle River Wednesday evening.

Floating ice slabs seen in the Battle River area. (Angela Brown/battlefordsNOW Staff)

Boyle is warning residents to stay away from the rivers and keep off the ice.

“If you get it moving, although it may look like it’s easy to jump on, one piece of ice to the next or whatever it may be, those are very dangerous situations,” he said, adding it’s a serious hazard when the water starts to flow quickly and propels heavy, large ice chunks in all directions.

“Anytime if you come near fast moving water or see that, it’s a good practise to stay away from it,” Boyle said.

During its March forecast, the WSA was initially anticipating above normal flows in some areas of the Battlefords, however, dry conditions later in March as well as lower snow melt has lowered some of the runoff potential.

Ice jams a concern

Boyle said potential ice jams in the Battlefords are now the main concern.

“The broken ice blocks jam and essentially form a type of dam,” he said. “It will back up anything that is upstream of where the ice jam is. You can see water spill out onto the banks… If you’re a landowner along that way, it’s something to pay attention to.”

Boyle said when the ice breaks up and starts flowing it can create a surge and potentially cause issues downstream.

“Ice jams are a naturally occurring thing,” he added. “It’s very difficult to manage and deal with.”

The Town of Battleford recommends residents be cautious around water at this time of year and follow common flood-safety practises.

As a general rule, the Government of Canada’s Dept. of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness advises people to avoid crossing any flooded area, either on foot or in a vehicle, since fast moving water is dangerous and unstable, and could sweep them and their vehicle away.

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angela.brown@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @battlefordsNOW

by Angela Brown

Water Security Agency warns of dangers during spring melt

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