River break up, April 13, 2025
River break-up underway on Athabasca River
FORT McMURRAY, Alta. — The river break-up is underway.
The province issued an update on the status of the Athabasca River at 1:45 p.m. on April 13.
“The River Ice Advisory for the ice breakup of the Athabasca River from the House River to Fort McKay remains in effect.
This is a routine advisory and there are not immediate threats to Albertans or infrastructure at this time.
The river ice cover through Fort McMurray broke up this morning. An ice run from upstream pushed through Fort McMurray before stopping downstream of the Clearwater River confluence. Water levels on the Athabasca River rose between 2-3 meters, but no flood impacts have been reported.
Alberta Environment and Protected Areas is in regular contact with staff from the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo (RMWB) as part of breakup operations and will contact other partner groups and organizations as needed. For more information about local conditions, residents should contact their local municipality and ask their primary emergency preparedness contact.”
The RMWB is advising residents to stay away from river banks, as large sections of ice can move without warning and water levels can change quickly.
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