(File photo/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Angela Brown

River safety

City asks people to be careful during spring thaw

Apr 11, 2023 | 8:25 AM

The City of North Battleford is asking you to be cautious if you’re travelling near the rivers during the spring thaw.

Mayor David Gillan warned people to stay away from the North Saskatchewan River and area water bodies, as the ice is breaking up when he discussed the issue at city council’s meeting this week.

“The river [break up], it’s a very fascinating thing,” he said. “People love to get down there. They see the ice flowing, and the chunks moving up on the banks sometimes. It’s kind of mystical. But it’s dangerous… Stay away from the river. It’s fast moving and it’s very dangerous. If you go into that water, the hypothermia [will happen] in minutes. So, please stay away from the river.”

Gillan added people should also watch their dogs to make sure they don’t get near the river to be safe.

“Don’t let your pets free-range at the river, without the leash on,” he said. “If they fall in, this ice water – it’s minutes, then you’re done. [Ice slabs] are going to break up. We don’t want people down by the river – it’s not necessary; it’s dangerous.”

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Stewart Schafer, Director of City Operations, also asked people to keep away from the ice at the river and other water bodies in the area.

“Stay off of the ice,” he said. “It’s thin, and it’s breaking up.”

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Angela.Brown@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @battlefordsnow