April 16, 2026: Spring Melt and River Break-up Update

The Town is continuing to manage the spring melt and prepare for river break-up.

We’ve received another update from the Alberta River Forecast Centre and continue to monitor conditions closely as break-up begins. Monitoring break-up is a normal part of spring, but with higher-than-normal snowpack this year, there is increased attention to how conditions develop.

Warmer temperatures this weekend (April 18-19) and into early next week are expected to accelerate snowmelt. There is no immediate emergency, but this is the period we are watching most closely.

  • If you live in Lower West Peace, the North End, Downtown, or near the Heart River and Pat’s Creek, this is an important time to be paying attention and preparing.
  • Ensure you have an emergency bag and basic household plan in the event of a flood. Think about what you would need if you had to leave on short notice: medications, important documents, chargers, pet supplies. Prepare a bag, talk with your family, and be aware that we are entering a heightened risk period as the weather warms up. 
  • Residents and businesses in low-lying areas may want to move items out of the basement and off the floor to protect damage in the event of a flood.

Currently, the ice front on the Peace River remains well upstream of town, but activity is picking up in the Smoky River basin.

Provincial staff will be on site as break-up progresses, and the Town continues to meet regularly with partners to assess conditions and plan next steps.

The main risk during break-up remains ice jams, which can form quickly and cause water levels to rise with little warning. 

The Town has also been preparing internally, including reviewing evacuation plans and coordinating response efforts if needed. We will continue to adjust our approach as conditions evolve.

We’ll continue to share updates.

Find all the information on the spring melt and river break-up here: https://www.peaceriver.ca/2026melt