The Water Security Agency is warning that ice on the Alameda reservoir, and on surfaces downstream may become unsafe.

That's because the Agency is increasing the flow of water from the Alameda Dam.

Patrick Boyle, Water Security Agency"What that release means is that it has a potential to create some unsafe ice conditions on Moose Mountain creek, below Alameda Dam and on the Souris River downstream of Oxbow." said agency spokesperson, Patrick Boyle. "So the ice cover on Alameda will also drop in response to this operation."

The release will increase the flow of water from 1.3 cubic metres per second, to 2.0 cubic metres per second, an increase of more than 50 per cent.

Boyle says they are releasing the water in anticipation of a high spring runoff

 "With soil moisture conditions at freezup, and higher than normal snowfall above the reservoir, we've seen so far this year." said Boyl. "So we're looking at what potentially the inflows could be. From our perspective, this is a proactive move to look at any of that snow in the basin and how it's going to respond in the springtime."

Boyle says it is up to the individual to ensure that ice on a river or lake is safe for crossing or winter time activities.

The Ministry of Environment recommends the following ice thickness levels when crossing a water body:

- At least four inches thick to walk on

- Six inches to drive a snowmobile or ATV

- Eight inches for a car or light truck;

- 12 inches for a heavy truck.