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Saskatchewan

Sask. Water Security Agency warns of thin ice, unusual conditions

The Sask. Water Security agency warns ice is unusually thin for this time of year because of warmer temperatures and higher water flows underneath the ice.

Thin ice reported across the province this winter as a result of warm temperatures, higher water flows

CBC News ·
Warman firefighters saved a woman from the roof of her car when it fell through the ice on the South Saskatchewan River Friday evening. (Warman Fire Rescue)

The Saskatchewan Water Security Agency is warning people to be cautious around ice this winter. It says it could be unusually thin for this time of year due to warmer temperatures and higher water flows underneath the ice. 

The warning comes after Warman Fire Rescue crews rescued a woman from her partially submerged vehicle Friday night. She had been travelling on a stretch of ice that fire crews said is normally used as an ice road by dozens of locals at this time of year.
Wacky winter weather means the pond at Hawrelak Park wasn’t ready for ice skating in December. (CBC)

The Water Security Agency said in a release Saturday it has received reports of issues with thin ice across the province, and the South Saskatchewan River system is of particular concern. It warns active water flow under ice is expected to continue throughout this winter. 

Recommended ice thickness levels 

As a guideline, the Water Security Agency also released a list of the Ministry of Environment's recommended ice thickness levels for different activities over any body of water:

  • At least four inches thick (10 cm) to walk on

  • At least six inches (15 cm) to drive a snowmobile or ATV over the ice

  • At least eight inches (20 cm) for a car or light truck to travel safely

  • At least 12 inches (30 cm) for a heavy truck to drive safely over the ice

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