If you're planning to go ice fishing or snowmobiling near Alameda Dam, Souris River or Moose Mountain Creek this winter, be sure to exercise extreme caution. Above-normal precipitation this past summer and fall has left the ground in much of Â鶹ÊÓƵeast Saskatchewan saturated, and therefore rivers and creeks are flowing at rates that are well above normal for this time of year.
In an effort to reduce the level prior to spring runoff - which would help alleviate the potential for spring flooding - Saskatchewan Watershed Authority will be releasing water from a number of lakes in the province including Alameda Reservoir.
Due to the fact releases will continue to be made at numerous lakes throughout the winter, people near these lakes - which, in addition to Alameda Reservoir, include Good Spirit Lake, Last Mountain Lake and all lakes along the Qu'Appelle River system - need to use extreme caution. Steam flow beneath the ice will create dangerously thin ice.
"Saskatchewan Watershed Authority is urging caution when crossing ice on any steam this winter due to the risk of thin ice resulting from stream flow," an advisory issued early December stated. "This includes stream with normally do not flow in the winter. It is anticipated that these flows will continue throughout the winter creating thin ice hazards."
These releases will cause a significantly higher flow throughout the winter months on the Moose Mountain Creek and the Souris River from Oxbow to Minot, as well as on the Qu'Appelle River. Thin is can occur anywhere along these rivers, but is more likely to occur near bridges, culverts, or crossings.
Potential hazards associated with ice conditions will not be marked off by the Saskatchewan Watershed Authority; therefore people who choose to venture onto the ice for ice fishing, snowmobiling, or any other activities are doing so at their own peril.
The Saskatchewan Watershed Authority will continue to monitor the situation throughout the winter, and issue any further updates if required.
"It is up to the individual to ensure that the ice is safe for the activities planned," the advisory stated. "The safest approach is to stay away from the river and stay off the ice.
