Rising temperatures have resulted in thin ice and unstable water flows on storm water reservoirs and rivers in the area.
Residents are advised to avoid these waterbodies because of the increased dangers of drowning and hypothermia.
Warman Recreation and Community Services Manager Paul McGonigal told the Warman City Council committee of the Whole meeting on Monday, March 21 that the ‘Danger, thin ice’ signs near storm water reservoirs in the city are now in effect.
“Last week, when air temperatures were still quite cold, the ice thickness in all the ponds was checked by the fire department and found to be okay,” said McGonigal. “But conditions have changed dramatically since then and the ice is very unsafe right now.”
It’s the same situation in Martensville, according to Martensville Recreation and Community Services Director Ted Schaeffer.
“We’re strongly advising people to stay off the ponds,” said Schaeffer in an interview March 23. “We have signage to that effect around all the ponds, and we’re looking to get the message out to everyone.”
McGonigal said in addition to the warm temperatures melting the surface ice, there is increased water flow into the storm water ponds as a result of runoff from storm sewers throughout the city. The rising water levels below the ice add to the instability of the top layer of ice.
“It’s a dangerous situation,” said McGonigal. He advised parents to supervise children and warn them against playing on or near the edges of the ponds.
The Saskatoon Fire Department (SFD) issued a news release March 22 indicating that ice thickness in Saskatoon storm water ponds is “no longer suitable for winter recreational use.”
The SFD is also advising people to stay away from banks of the South Saskatchewan River.
“The ice that covers this body of water is unpredictable and is therefore never safe for winter recreational use,” said the SFD news release. “Community members are asked to never venture out onto the ice that covers sections of the South Saskatchewan River.”
Warman Fire Chief Russ Austin advised people to avoid driving on the river ice at the Clarkboro Ferry crossing between Warman and Aberdeen. Over the years, there have been numerous incidents of vehicles breaking through the river ice during the spring months. These incidents not only endanger the motorists involved, they also put the lives and safety of emergency responders at serious risk during rescue efforts.
“Every incident is serious, whether it’s youngsters going through the ice near the shoreline of a pond, or a vehicle in the middle of a river,” said Austin in a recent interview. “We’ve had some very close calls.”