Stormwater ice can conceal real dangers
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It’s better to be safe than sorry when it comes to Strathcona County’s stormwater ponds.
The county does not monitor the ice thickness of any stormwater ponds or natural bodies of water. Therefore, ice conditions are unknown and unpredictable.
Therefore the message is, stay safe: keep off the ice.
Stormwater ponds have an inlet and outlet pipe with water flowing much of the year. Moving water, water temperature changes due to vegetation or drainage and fluctuating weather conditions lead to unknown, unpredictable and dangerous ice conditions.
Stormwater ponds serve an important function in Strathcona County’s stormwater management system. A stormwater pond has two main purposes. The first is for residential flood protection. The second is for treating urban water run off before it flows back into natural creeks and rivers.
Many factors affect ice strength, including air temperature, road runoff, springs that feed into the water, sun, wind, snow and overall thickness of ice. Remind your family to play safe and stay off the ice when signs are posted.
Take proper care and be smart around ice-covered bodies of water.
Remember, you cannot judge the strength of ice by appearance alone — it is always best to use caution.
If someone falls through the ice, don’t go on the ice and try to pull them out… you may fall in too.
Get help fast by calling out for help and calling 9-1-1.
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