Alberta Environment and Protected Areas has issued an Ice Jam Watch for the Peace River, covering the stretch from the Highway 986 bridge to the Town of Peace River.
Officials say a secondary ice cover has formed upstream of the main Peace River ice front. The ice cover developed at the Highway 2 bridge in the Town of Peace River on Saturday, December 20 and was observed moving past the Smoky River confluence early this morning (December 21).
The secondary ice cover is considered unstable and is expected to collapse overnight into Monday, December 22. As it breaks up, the consolidating ice is expected to push downstream and meet the main Peace River ice cover.
Authorities warn that as this process occurs, a freeze-up ice jam could form within the Town of Peace River. While such an ice jam can cause rapid rises in water levels, Alberta Environment and Protected Areas notes that the risk of flooding remains low at this time.
As of Saturday, December 20, the main Peace River ice front was located near the Mercer Peace River facility, approximately 20 kilometres downstream of the Town of Peace River.
Residents are being urged to stay away from the river and to remain alert to changing conditions.
Anyone who observes potential flooding is asked to contact the Public Works 24/7 emergency line at 780-624-3085.
Municipal staff will continue river watch monitoring as conditions evolve.
Image Credit: Town of Peace River
Trending 55 Newsroom
