Sask. Water Security Agency warns of thin ice, unusual conditions

The Saskatchewan Water Security Agency is warning people to be cautious around ice this winter. It says it could beunusually thin for this time of year due to warmer temperatures and higher water flows underneath the ice.

The warning comes after Warman Fire Rescue crews rescued a woman from her partially submerged vehicleFriday night. She had been travelling on a stretch of ice that fire crews said is normally used as an ice road by dozens of locals at this time of year.

• Woman rescued from sinking car on South Saskatchewan River near Warman

The Water Security Agency said in a release Saturday it has received reports of issues with thin ice across the province, andthe South Saskatchewan River system is ofparticular concern. It warns active water flow under ice is expected to continue throughout this winter.

Recommended ice thickness levels

As a guideline, the Water Security Agency also releaseda list of the Ministry of Environment's recommended ice thickness levels for different activities over any body of water:

• At least four inches thick (10 cm) to walk on

• At least six inches (15 cm) to drive a snowmobile or ATV over the ice

• At least eight inches (20 cm) for a car or light truck to travel safely

• At least 12 inches (30 cm) for a heavy truck to drive safely over the ice