With warmer weather increasing the risk of breakup, the Water Security Agency said the ice on the North Saskatchewan River is extremely dangerous. (Ronald Quaroni/paNOW Staff)

By Ronald Quaroni

Break up

North Saskatchewan River ice expected to break within the week

Apr 5, 2019 | 12:14 PM

Viewers of the North Saskatchewan River will soon be able to watch a parade of ice-islands flow by the city.

Water Security Agency spokesperson Patrick Boyle said that ice on the river should start to break within the next week.

“It is early for this time of year to see ice break on the North Saskatchewan,” Boyle said. ”It’s a little earlier than what we’re typically used to, but likely not out of the realm of what we’ve seen in some historical years.”

Boyle explained a warm March is the main contributor for the early bust-up.

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He added it’s tough to predict exactly when the ice will start to move, monitoring systems are easily affected by shifting ice and water.

Increased ice and water activity on the North Saskatchewan River could be an indicator of an early break up. (submitted photo/The Water Security Agency)

If you want to know exactly when the shift will take place, Boyle said to watch for ice cracking and signs of rotting ice on the surface.

“Having a look at the ice on the river right now is probably the safest bet,” Boyle told paNOW. “We expect this week we’ll see some of that breakup as temperatures continue to increase.”

Boyle stressed due to the dangerous nature of breakup people should stay away from the water.

He added ice jams aren’t a huge concern this year due to the lack flow.

Here’s a video of last year’s break up:

–

Ron.quaroni@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @RonaldQuaroni