The provincial Water Security Agency, or WSA, is advising the public about the potential for ice jams.
Residents are advised to be aware of the potential for ice jamming and possible flooding upstream where it occurs.
Ice jams aren’t uncommon at this time of year, but higher than predicted water flows are expected in the coming days for the Swift Current Creek, Moose Jaw River, Qu’Appelle River and Wood River. The WSA is diverting water on the Swift Current Main Canal today to reduce flows through the city of Swift Current
Runoff in Moose Jaw is also higher than expected. The WSA said in a media release that “(a)t this time, flows on the Moose Jaw River are expected to be similar to March 2022 when the channel through Moose Jaw was at capacity.”
“Warmer temperatures and higher flow rates may weaken the integrity of ice and reduce the potential for ice jamming,” the release said.
The WSA say they are currently doing preparations and operations along the Qu’Appelle River system to manage flows. However, they caution this will not reduce the risk of ice jamming.
The WSA “will continue to monitor conditions and provide updates to the potential for ice jamming and possible localized flooding as conditions develop.”
