What is river breakup?
During the spring months, there is an increased risk of flooding when ice on the Athabasca, Clearwater and Christina rivers begins to melt and break apart. Stay informed with information on ice forecasting and warning and ice jam flooding.
River breakup preparedness
Residents may see a number of temporary measures installed in the downtown area, including triple dams (water filled barriers), temporary clay berms, pumps and plugs. There will be temporary road closures and temporary trail closures to allow for these measures. Information of the temporary measures and their locations can be found here.
Before river breakup |
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During a flood |
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After a flood |
Returning to your property
If your property was damaged:
Completing a damage assessment
Cleaning your property
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Community Updates
River breakup community updates |
Sandbag program
Sand and bags are available free of charge to residents and business owners affected by the 2020 flood.
While there is no firm limit on the number that can be taken, the intended use of the sandbags is to place them around doors, windows and other openings to provide additional flood protection for private properties.
Location |
Snye Parking Lot— upper parking lot adjacent to playground, at the end of Father Mercredi Street |
Hours of operation |
Starting March 7, 2022, and remaining open until river breakup has been declared
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Sandbag care |
Community members can retain, and reuse filled sandbags in the future, but they must be stored properly to prevent damage. Sandbags can be stored inside or outside but they must be protected from the sun, rain and snow. If storing outside, it’s recommended to place sandbags on a pallet and cover them with a waterproof and UV resistant tarp. |
Additional information |
Please…
Residents and business owners are responsible for making their own sandbags with the materials provided. Municipal staff are unable to help with placement of sandbags. In special circumstances where a resident has mobility issues preventing them from being able to fill and place sandbags at their property, requests for support can be requested via Pulse. Sandbags must be properly filled and placed to provide an effective temporary barrier from flood waters. Information on how to fill and place sandbags will be provided at the distribution site. There will always be a risk sandbags may give out, even when properly filled and placed. Community members are reminded to take the additional steps below to prepare for river breakup. |
Disposal |
The sandbag program is now closed. Filled sandbags may be dropped off as of April 25, free-of-charge at the Snye Parking Lot adjacent to playground, at the end of Father Mercredi Street. The drop-off location will be available seven days-a-week from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., for two weeks from the opening date. Further updates will be provided once available. All sandbags dropped at the Snye parking lot are being brought to the Municipal landfill, where the bags will naturally deteriorate, and sand will be repurposed for other uses. After the drop-off location closes, sandbags can be brought to the Municipal landfill for disposal. |
Recent News
How river breakup happens
- During the spring months when the flooding risk is greater, our Emergency Management branch works with Alberta Environment to mitigate the flood risk.
- There are many checkpoints on the Clearwater River to provide warning of an ice break.
- The type of breakup (thermal or dynamic) is dependent on weather and river conditions.

Thermal processes melt the ice cover and weaken it (picture an ice cube disappearing in a glass of water as it melts). Contributing factors include sunshine or wind, increased water or air temperature.

Dynamic processes push the ice cover out of its original place and into chunks. These chunks are then pushed downstream. Precipitation, water levels, or water movement that causes the ice cover to break before it has weakened.
Dynamic breakup is more likely to cause an ice jam and create a higher flood risk.
River Breakup Livestream
Available Resources
- 24-hour Mental Health Help Line - 1-877-303-2642
- Flood Recovery
- Participate Wood Buffalo
- Get detailed river monitoring information at rivers.alberta.ca.