A proactive release of water from the Duncairn Reservoir will begin this week in order to begin clearing ice from the creek in advance of spring runoff.
This past Friday the Water Security Agency issued a thin ice warning for the Swift Current Creek in advance of increase water releases beginning Monday. The higher water release could create thin ice areas, cracking or large ice ridges.
Duncairn releases are being increased to raise the creek flow from its current rate of 0.5 m3/s to 1.4 m3/s. Additional increased release rates may be required over the coming weeks to break up more ice in order to clear the channel.
"Residents are being advised to use caution when crossing ice anywhere in this region due to the risk of thin ice. Stream flow under ice is an extremely serious hazard. It is up to individuals to ensure that the ice is safe to cross," their advisory notes.
