Residents urged to stay off stormwater ponds

With the recent drop in temperature, ice has formed on stormwater ponds and natural bodies of water in Strathcona County. Residents are reminded to stay off stormwater pond ice.

Ice safety is everyone’s responsibility. Obey all posted signs, be mindful of natural tripping hazards on the paths near the ice, and above all, stay off the unsafe stormwater pond ice. Many factors affect ice strength including air temperature, road runoff, sun, wind, snow and overall thickness of the ice.

While stormwater pond ice may appear solid, stormwater ponds have fluctuating water flows that create a freeze/thaw environment, resulting in unknown ice conditions. Stormwater pond ice is unstable and unsafe for recreational activities, including walking, ice skating and hockey.

If someone falls through the ice, don’t go onto the ice to try and pull them out; you may fall in too. Call 9-1-1 for help. For more information about ice safety, contact the Lifesaving Society of Alberta and Northwest Territories at 780-415-1755 or visit strathcona.ca/icesafety.

For a listing of safe, outdoor skating rinks and pathways, visit strathcona.ca/outdoorrinks or call 780-467-2211.

As part of the collective effort to stop the spread of COVID-19, residents are reminded to follow all Alberta Health Services and Strathcona County guidelines including staying home if you are sick or experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, maintaining a physical distance of 2 meters (6 feet) from anyone outside of your household / cohort, practicing proper hand hygiene, and obeying all posted signage.

Set in the centre of Alberta’s energy and agricultural heartland, Strathcona County is a thriving, successful and vibrant community of over 98,000 residents. Strathcona County is made up of the urban area of Sherwood Park and a large adjacent rural area of farms, acreages and smaller hamlets. It is home to 75 per cent of hydrocarbon processing in Western Canada. Strathcona County is a leader in environmental conservation, and 55 per cent of its land is within the UNESCO Beaver Hills Biosphere. With a focus on economic, governance, social, cultural and environmental sustainability, Strathcona County is committed to balancing the unique needs of its diverse community.

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Contact: Strathcona County Communications, 780-410-6595