As the weather changes, the Airdrie Fire Department would like to remind everyone that ice on ponds and creeks may be tempting to play on, but playing on ice is very dangerous.
Stormwater facilities, often called stormwater ponds, are not safe for skating or any other winter activity. The surface may look solid, but stormwater flows underneath the surface due to snowfall, snowmelt, road clearing and salting operations. Runoff typically contains concentrations of salt and/or warmed water, which can quickly thin ice surfaces. There also may be sudden water level changes under the ice, resulting in unstable and unsafe conditions.
Many factors can affect ice thickness and strength including:
Any of these factors can cause the ice to weaken and become dangerous. Talk with your children about ice safety. It is also important to keep your pets on a leash when walking them near natural ice surfaces.
Stormwater ponds, such as East Lake and the Canals, located around the city are not intended for recreational use such as swimming, fishing, or kayaking.
There are a number of reasons these water bodies should be enjoyed from the shore: