By Sarah Stone

Potential ice jams on North Sask River could lead to flooding

Apr 23, 2014 | 5:34 PM

The Water Security Agency (WSA) is warning the public of the potential for ice jamming on the North Saskatchewan River.

On Wednesday the WSA said ice cover on the Saskatchewan River system began to break up, which could lead to serious ice jams particularly between Petrofka Bridge and Prince Albert.

Patrick Boyle, spokesperson with the WSA, said there are dangers that could accompany a jam such as flooding.

“Ice jam formations are really unpredictable and they can cause a really rapid rise in water levels,” he said. “That risk will continue until the rivers are really free of ice, which could be within the next week.”

He warns the public to stay away from the river if a jam does occur as it is an “extreme hazard.”

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When an ice jam occurs, it backs up and basically creates a water dam and that will flood downstream, Boyle explained. Then when the jam does begin to break up it creates a surge of water upstream.

As of right now, it’s too soon to tell if this will cause damage to infrastructure like the Diefenbaker Bridge.

“Specific damages we couldn’t say one way or another. Really right now there’s just a potential for that formation to happen and when those ice jams do happen they’re very sudden,” he said.

“Our regional guys are out there and looking at it and I think we’re going to be doing some aerial reconnaissance tomorrow [Thursday] just to get a better sense of it.”

sstone@panow.com

On Twitter: @sarahstone84

by Sarah Stone

Potential ice jams on North Sask River could lead to flooding

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