AERATION PROJECTS CAN RESULT IN THIN ICE

Saskatchewan Environment advises people to be cautious on all frozen water bodies, especially those that have aeration systems.

Aeration systems are used to pump fresh air into the small, shallow lakes or reservoirs that have healthy fish populations. Because the air bubbles up to the surface there is often thin ice and open water near an aeration system. Water bodies with aeration systems are posted with warning signs and people are advised to stay clear of these posted areas.

Aerating a water body helps prevents winterkill, which occurs when the plants in a water body either die or reduce their oxygen production. This often takes place when ice and snow reduces the amount of sunlight reaching the underwater plants. The constant flow of fresh air from the aeration system raises the oxygen level in the water under the ice and increases the survival rate for fish.

Aeration systems usually operate between December and March. A list of water bodies with aeration systems and contact names for each area is attached.

Changing temperatures, combined with the amount of snowfall and slush in some areas can also contribute to unsafe ice conditions. Extreme caution should be taken while travelling on the ice this winter.

Here are some ice facts people should be aware of:

• ice strength should never be judged by appearance alone;

• ice thickness is seldom uniform throughout a water body and can sometimes vary from safe to unsafe within a metre;

• changing temperatures can cause thermal cracks and pressure ridges; indicators of unsafe ice;

• slush indicates that ice is eroding from above and below at an advanced rate;

• large deep lakes take longer to freeze and are slower to melt than smaller lakes;

• currents in a river or creek make ice approximately 15 per cent weaker than lake ice; and

• heavy snowfall in some areas of the province can reduce the bearing capacity of the ice. The weight of the snow often causes slush and/or flooding. Snow also acts as an insulator, which slows the freezing process.

For more information on ice safety, contact the nearest Red Cross office or check the Red Cross website at www.redcross.ca.

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For More Information, Contact:

Greg Leake Environment Regina Phone: 306-787-5511 Email: greg.leake@gov.sk.ca Cell: 306-530-0606