Each year as the cold weather moves in, the Peace River, which runs through the centre of town, freezes.
Generally, it freezes and thaws with little impact on life in town. However, it is important for residents to be aware of the freeze and thaw process to recognize when there may be a risk.
Sometimes due to weather conditions, freeze-up or break-up does not go smoothly. This can cause river levels to rise and can increase the potential of a flood or groundwater seepage.
To help ensure community safety, the river is monitored regularly. The Town of Peace River works closely with the Province of Alberta’s River Forecast Centre, and through a committee that includes the Province of British Columbia and BC Hydro.
Freeze-up of the Peace River typically takes place in mid-January each year. It begins when sustained cold temperatures cause ice to form. That ice flows downstream until it fills the river. Ice, combined with cold water, causes the water to slow and ice continues to build. That process continues until the river is completely frozen.
The Town of Peace River begins monitoring ice reports and weather patterns in December each year. When the leading edge of the ice pack – called the ice front – is within 30km of the town, our Public Works crew begins "Ice Watch".
Ice Watch is a way for the Town to support forecasting provided by the Province, and provides visual confirmation of the status of the ice pack, and the security of the Town’s anti-flood measures.
In advance of the river freezing up through town, BC Hydro regulates the flow coming out of the W.A.C. Bennett Dam. The Town remains in contract with BC Hydo during this time, monitoring flow and freeze-up activities on the river.
What freezes must thaw. Each year – typically around April – the Peace River thaws at the Town of Peace River. The process is the same as freeze-up, only in reverse. During the break-up process, the Town monitors the Peace River, as well as the Smoky River, Heart River, and Pat’s Creek.
There are some risks associated with river freeze-up and break-up, as outlined below:
Thin Ice: If there is ice on the river, stay off it. Each year emergency workers get called to respond to reports of people on or near the ice flows. These are very dangerous situations that put both the person on the ice and the first responders at risk. Anyone on the ice who falls through would be swept away in the river current and trapped under the ice, with little to no chance of rescue. Our fire department trains for ice rescues and recoveries, but they’re skills we would rather not need to use and the fast current of our river makes rescues far less likely.
There is no reason to be on the ice during freeze-up or break-up and so we ask for everyone’s safety and security that people refrain from going on or near it. It is never safe to go on river ice.
Groundwater Seepage: In the Lower West Peace neighbourhood a number of homes are built with basements below the level of the riverbed. In the past this has presented a challenge for homeowners during freeze-up and particularly breakup with occasional groundwater seeping into foundations and basements. In 2016 BC Hydro completed a dewatering system in Lower West Peace that greatly reduces this risk. When water begins seeping a number of underground wells and pumps kick into action which draw the water into the wells before pumping it into the river, keeping it away from basements.
Flooding: There is always a risk of flooding when the river begins to change. This process is heavily monitored by the Town and Province to ensure residents are kept up-to-date on any potential flood risks. If the water does rise to a level of concern, the Town of Peace River will issue an alert on our website, social media pages, and Voyant Alert, to warn residents to take necessary precautions.
Ice jams: These are accumulations of ice in a river that can lead to flooding. They are a natural part of winter river processes. Ice jams form when the ice blocks the river flow causing the water level to rise. The downstream end of an ice jam is called the “toe” and the upstream end of the ice jam is called the ”head”. Ice jams are most common during freeze up and break up.
Don't drown, stay on the ground.
Please stay off the Ice!
It is NEVER safe to walk on the ice of the Peace River.
River Forecast Centre
Through the River Forecast Centre the Province of Alberta monitors all rivers, flow and ice pack. This information is available at rivers.alberta.ca. There is also an app available by searching “Alberta Rivers” in either the Apple iTunes store or the Google Play Store that contains the same information.
Please note: while forecasting is based in science, it involves making predictions with a number of unknown or estimated values, for that reason the Town of Peace River and Government of Alberta view seven days as the upper limit for accurate river forecasting. Services like the data available at rivers.alberta.ca or through the rivers app provides excellent insight into the river’s current state, however, the instruments are susceptible to error from time to time.
