Although there have been no new ice readings taken along the Moose Jaw River, Margaret Moran, acting manager of the Wakamow Valley Authority, said she advises Moose Javians to use caution when out on the ice.
“If you notice any discoloured ice, or that it is darker, or maybe a yellowy colour, that is usually an indication that the ice is rotting or there is an underground spring. Because all three are signs there is movement in the water, the ice is going to be a little bit thinner and it’s not going to be as stable.”
At this time, Moran said people are still being allowed on the ice, however with the weather shifting from one extreme to the other, it is even more important to be aware of where you are and what is beneath you.
“The river is not a stagnant body of water. It is always moving with a constant flow. Even though the water level is quite low — if you go over to the Kingsway Dam the water is actually flowing over and you can clearly see it is too thin to be on.”
Moran said one of the reasons for the thinning ice so early in the season is due to the early snowfall.
She said because Moose Jaw had so much snow so fast, the ice didn’t have time to properly freeze.
“The snow acts as an insulator and because we got it so early, the ice didn’t have a chance to freeze down to that foot level (one would normally see).”
For more information, see Friday's edition of the Times-Herald.
