 Ice safety warning for river and stormwater ponds As ice forms over bodies of water in Edmonton, the City of Edmonton and EPCOR are reminding residents and visitors that it is never safe to walk or skate on the North Saskatchewan River or community stormwater ponds.  Even when the river and stormwater ponds appear frozen, changing weather and freeze-thaw cycles can quickly weaken the ice, making it unsafe.“River and stormwater ice can be very dangerous. It looks solid, but it is a ceiling over moving, freezing water. Once a person or a pet is under it, there is often no way up,” says Jamie Amiel, Assistant Deputy Chief with Edmonton Fire Rescue Services (EFRS). “Ice rescues are complex, a good outcome is never guaranteed, and they can endanger the lives of our first responders. These incidents are preventable. Let’s keep everyone safe. Please obey all signs, remember to keep children close, and leash pets near water access points. If someone falls through ice, 9-1-1 is the only safe option.”In the past five years, EFRS has responded to an average of 111 river-rescue calls per year. Since the start of 2025, crews have already responded to 124 water-rescue calls at the North Saskatchewan River and stormwater ponds. During winter, the main incidents driving high-risk calls are consistently people venturing onto the icy river and stormwater ponds, or attempting to rescue pets that have fallen through ice. The consequences can be devastating. Keeping pets safe Pets may be adventurous, but they rely on their owners to keep them safe. “Your pet relies on you to be their safety expert, and they can’t tell the difference between the safe ground and thin, dangerous ice over moving water,” said John Wilson, Deputy Chief, Animal Care and Park Rangers. “Responsible pet ownership in winter means keeping them on a leash near any body of water. That leash is their lifeline and the single best tool you have to prevent a tragedy.”When venturing near any water:Be aware of your surroundings and follow all posted signage.Never walk on or skate on unapproved ice surfaces.Keep pets and children in sight at all times. Keep children close, and leash pets that do not reliably respond to voice commands, especially on low-lying trails and near water access points. Prevent your pet from chasing wildlife, especially in off-leash areas where they may run onto thin ice.If you see a person or pet fall through the ice, do not attempt a rescue. Call 911 immediately.Stormwater ponds EPCOR operates more than 200 stormwater ponds across Edmonton. While these ponds may appear frozen and safe, they are engineered to collect melting snow and ice from streets and sidewalks. Beneath the surface, water is constantly moving, making the ice unpredictable and unsafe for any winter recreation. “Winter in Edmonton is made for skating, skiing and tobogganing, and there are so many safe places to enjoy those activities. But stormwater ponds aren’t one of them. Even when they look frozen, the water underneath is constantly moving, making the ice unsafe,” said Jolene Proulx, Manager, Wastewater Collection Responsive Maintenance, EPCOR. “This season, EPCOR wants to remind you that you can still love your pond but choose safe places to skate for you and your family, like your local community rink or a City-operated facility.” Safe skating spaces For the safety of both the public and first responders, the City’s Public Spaces Bylaw prohibits skating on the North Saskatchewan River and other unregulated bodies of water. Fines for non-compliance start at $500. The City offers a variety of safe skating surfaces this winter. A list of skating rinks and their operating status is available at edmonton.ca/Skating. These locations are regularly monitored and maintained to ensure they are safe for public use and free to enjoy.List of approved ice surfaces:Rundle IceWayVictoria Park Oval & IceWaySir Wilfrid Laurier ParkCastle Downs ParkJackie Parker ParkThe Meadows Outdoor Leisure IceCity Hall Skating RinkFor opening date updates, visit the Skating Notifications website. |
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