Edmonton officials are issuing an ice safety warning for river and stormwater ponds as the weather gets colder and the first real snowfall swept the city Thursday night. The City of Edmonton and EPCOR say it is never safe to walk or skate on the North Saskatchewan River or the more than 200 community stormwater ponds across the capital region. According to data from the city, Edmonton Fire Rescue Services (EFRS) has responded to an average of 111 river-rescue calls each year for the past five years. Since the start of 2025, crews have responded to 124 water-rescue calls as of Friday when a statement was issued. “River and stormwater ice can be very dangerous. It looks solid, but it is a ceiling over moving, freezing water,” EFRS Assistant Deputy Chief Jamie Amiel said in a news release on Friday. “Once a person or a pet is under it, there is often no way up.” Amiel said that ice rescues are “never guaranteed” and also put first responders in danger. He is hoping Edmontonians will heed the warning to keep off the ice. “These incidents are preventable. Let’s keep everyone safe,” Amiel said, adding people should obey all signs near water access points. John Wilson, with Animal Care and Park Rangers, said it is also important to keep pets leashed near water. “Your pet relies on you to be their safety expert and they can’t tell the difference between the safe ground and thin, dangerous ice over moving water,” Wilson said in a news release. “That leash is their lifeline and the single best tool you have to prevent a tragedy.” Fines for skating on the North Saskatchewan River or unregulated bodies of water start at $500. The list of approved outdoor ice surfaces in the city are: Officials say to call 911 if you see a person or pet fall through ice, and do not attempt a rescue.
