(Alison Sandstrom/paNOW Staff)

By Alison Sandstrom

Spring surge

Ice on North Saskatchewan River breaks

Apr 8, 2021 | 5:33 PM

After much speculation, river break up came earlier than experts at both the water treatment plant and the Water Security Agency predicted this year.

By Thursday afternoon, the ice had broken and the river was open.

Earlier on Thursday, Ron Podbielski with the Water Security Agency told paNOW the agency was projecting break up would occur this weekend or early next week.

Podbielski said no flooding was anticipated and water was expected to rise to only one fifth of last year’s ice breakup induced peak.

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On Thursday afternoon, the river could be observed flowing several feet below the red guard rail that chunks of ice ripped through during last spring’s breakup surge.

A group of professionals from three northern First Nations were fortunate enough to catch the moments after the break up when they visited the riverbank to take a group picture.

“It was very exciting,” Robert Whitecap, human resources officer at Red Earth Cree Nation told paNOW.

Professionals from Cumberland House Cree Nation, Shoal Lake Cree Nation and Red Earth Cree Nation caught the aftermath of river break up. (Alison Sandstrom/paNOW Staff)

He explained the group had just finished a two day professional development course on technology that will enable them to work from home more effectively.

(Alison Sandstrom/paNOW Staff)

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alison.sandstrom@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @alisandstrom