The Saskatchewan Watershed Authority is warning residents of thin ice conditions on Souris River.
For the first time since Rafferty Dam was constructed in 1995, the Watershed Authority initiated a small winter release from Rafferty Reservoir on January 10. This release may weaken the already thin ice in the Souris River.
Above-normal precipitation in 2010 has left much of eastern Saskatchewan saturated, slightly raising the water level in Rafferty Reservoir since fall freeze-up. The Watershed Authority has never had to initiate a winter release at Rafferty before, so it's important that the public are made aware this is happening, since it may affect the ice thickness on the Souris River.
The release is necessary for spring flood protection and to meet the water level requirements specified in the International Agreement on Water Supply and Flood Control in the Souris River Basin with the United States.
In addition to the release from Rafferty, water releases from Alameda Reservoir, ongoing since November 2010, will continue throughout the winter. Due to these releases and the excessive precipitation of 2010, the flow on the Souris River will be significantly higher than normal. The public must be aware that thin ice could occur at any point along the river, especially near bridges, culverts or crossings.
Saskatchewan Watershed Authority is urging caution when crossing ice on any stream this winter due to the risk of thin ice resulting from stream flow. This includes streams which normally so not flow in the winter.
