Video shows high waters slamming ice into White Fox Bridge

RAW: Ice slams into White Fox Bridge High water levels on a river north of Nipawin caused by spring runoff send trees and ice smashing into White Fox Bridge. (Renae Dahl)

Spring runoff is leading to damage on the White Fox Bridge in Saskatchewan’s north-central area.

High waters on the White Fox River, north of Nipawin, are causing trees and ice to smash into the structure. Rails of the bridge have even been broken off at some points.

Renae Dahl, who’s lived in the area for 17 years, said she’s seen the water rise to the belly of the bridge in years past but never to the level it’s at this spring.

She shot video of the rushing water hitting the bridge Tuesday. Ice crashing against the bridge’s metal can be heard in the footage as several spectators look on.

Saskatchewan’s Water Security Agency issued an advisory Tuesday, warning of potential ice jams and flooding because of spring runoff.

“With spring runoff underway flows are picking up in most systems which is lifting and moving ice in places,” the advisory stated.

“Ice jamming creates a significant issue as it can flood areas upstream very quickly and once it breaks up it can also flood areas downstream.”

The White Fox Bridge runs on a grid road near Highway 35. The road was recently closed by the Torch River rural municipality because of the ice buildup at the bridge.

The closure has created a 64-kilometre detour for drivers, Dahl said.