Caution urged near water

With this winter cold temperatures, one might expect most bodies of water to be OK to venture on, but Regina Fire and Protective Services says that isn’t always the case.

“Use as much caution as you can,” deputy chief Gerard Kay warns.

There were five ice-related incidents in 2013 to which Regina fire crews were called.

“Thin ice” signs mark the Wascana Lake trails, warning winter visitors to stay on land. Wascana Centre Authority has asked people to stay off the ice at Wascana Lake for 10 years now, due to an underwater aeration system which never allows the lake to completely freeze.

There have been incidents of people trying to go onto the ice at Wascana Lake this year, but no rescues have been needed, Carissa Robb, manager of community relations at the Wascana Authority Centre, says.

“WE HAVE NO IDEA WHERE IT’S THICK ENOUGH. WE’RE NOT SURE WHERE THE WEAK SPOTS ARE.”

CARISSA ROBB

Robb urges people to always stay off the ice at the lake.

“We have no idea where it’s thick enough. We’re not sure where the weak spots are,” she says.

The fire department practises surface and ice rescue on Wascana Lake.

The worst times for ice-related incidents on bodies of water, Kay says, occur during the shoulder seasons — when ice starts to form and when it begins to break apart.

Wascana Marsh, which is about a metre deep, also has weak spots. Robb says it has thin ice signs where they are needed, though there are parts that are frozen and thick enough to walk on.

On Feb. 16, the Wascana Ice Cycle, an on-ice mountain bike race, will take part on parts of the marsh that have been tested for thickness. The marsh will be continuously monitored for the event, Robb says.

When taking part in winter activities that involve being on the ice such as ice fishing, it’s important to ask locals about the ice conditions, Kay says, as they tend to know what it will be like.

Kay says pets are notorious for running across what appear to be frozen bodies of water to chase birds or other animals. This prompts owners to also go onto unstable ice. He says to keep pets on leashes when around bodies of water to decrease this risk.

“Keep your kids away, keep your pets away, and use caution,” Kay says.

On Sunday, Saskatoon fire and police officials responded to a 911 call about a person who allegedly had fallen into the South Saskatchewan River near the east bank. Footprints were found where the ice gave way to open water.

No footprints were found returning from the spot. No body has been recovered as of yet.