Warm weather means water woes for Calgary

Wednesday is going to be another day of near double digit temperatures in Calgary, but there is still a lot of snow and ice and the welcome warmth could lead to some localized flooding as well as make rivers and lakes more dangerous.

Even though it’s been warm during the day lately, temperatures are dropping to freezing overnight which has helped minimize flooding risks, according to Storm Water Operations Leader Chris Johnson, but city crews are still taking precautions.

“We have a bunch of main thoroughfares or key points – hot spots – where we like to make sure that the catch basins or storm water drains are clear and flowing,” he said, adding people can help out in their own neighbourhoods.

“If you do have one on the corner, usually on the corner of the street or in front of your house, it’s a great thing if we can have you keep those clear,” said Johnson. “We have approximately between 55,000 and 60,000 of them throughout the city.”

He says it’s also important to try and clear a path for the water to get to the storm drains.

Calgary Fire Department Spokesperson Carol Henke says the more pressing issue for most people is lakes and rivers.

“There’s no way of guaranteeing a safe thickness of ice unless it is a designated day-use area and the thickness of the ice has been tested,” she explained.

She says ice may look safe, but the chances of falling though have gone up considerably and you’re not just putting yourself at risk.

“The ice rescues can be very treacherous,” explained Henke. “Dangerous for our folks as well as for people that find themselves in that icy water. Hypothermia can set in very quickly.”

She adds, kids in particular need to be made aware of the danger melting ice can pose.

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