Watch above: Taking a short cut across the river proved to be a harrowing experience for a Saskatchewan woman over the weekend as her vehicle went through the thin ice. Joel Senick takes a look at when and where vehicles should be driving over ice roads.
SASKATOON – Saskatchewan’s Water Security Agency (WSA) has issued a thin ice warning. Officials say warm temperatures are creating some very hazardous conditions across the province.
Of particular concern is the South Saskatchewan River near Saskatoon. On Friday evening, a woman was rescued after her car broke through the ice while crossing the river at the Clarkboro ferry.
READ MORE: Woman escapes car breaking through ice on South Saskatchewan River
The Saskatchewan Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure has put up a barricade at the crossing and says anyone who wants to attempt to drive the route, does so at their own risk.
“It’s no different than someone snowmobiling or ice fishing,” said Doug Wakabayashi, a communications official with the ministry.
“Once you venture out on the ice, you do so at your own risk.”
Wakabayashi added that the province maintains and tests a number of ice roads in northern Saskatchewan, however the Clarkboro crossing is not one of them.
WSA officials also say winter flows continue to be released from some reservoirs in the province resulting in active flows under ice on the major systems.
Unseasonably warm weather, combined with rainfall from last summer and fall, is also creating issues on creeks and streams. Many streams that are usually dry by fall were still flowing at freeze-up and may continue to flow through the winter.
Officials are warning people to use extreme caution near lakes and rivers and to ensure the ice is thick enough for crossing or winter activities.
Here are the recommended thickness levels:
- at least four inches to walk on;
- six inches to drive a snowmobile or ATV;
- eight inches for a car or light truck; and
- 12 inches for a heavy truck.
With files from Joel Senick
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