UPDATE #2 – April 20, 2pm
UPDATE #1 – April 20, 11am
Breakup of the lower Smoky and Little Smoky Rivers occurred yesterday.
The ice that cleared from these channels has collected into a 10 km long ice jam, located 9 km from the mouth of the Smoky River.
Water levels remain relatively low.
Additional ice runs are expected from the upper Smoky and Little Smoky rivers overnight and over the next few days. These may add to the length of the existing jam, or push it further downstream.
BACKGROUND
Saturday afternoon, Alberta Environment and Protected Areas issued a River Ice Advisory for the Peace River and Smoky River, including the Town of Peace River.
Ice breakup has occurred at Watino, and the early stages of breakup continue further downstream on the Smoky River.
Rising temperatures and a high snowpack are increasing runoff, raising the risk of ice jams.
The Peace River ice front is now near Dunvegan. However, if the Smoky River breaks up before the Peace River ice front passes through the Town of Peace River, it could increase ice jam flood risk in the community.
Ice through Peace River remains intact, and there are no immediate flood concerns. The advisory remains in place as conditions evolve.
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Image Credit: Alberta River Basins
