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(Image Credit: Town of Peace River)
By Erika Rolling
Environment

Ice jam watch for the Peace River

Apr 23, 2026 | 8:25 AM

The provincial body that oversees rivers in Alberta has issued a Ice Jam Watch for a section of the Peace River from the Smoky River to Sunny Valley, including the Town of Peace River.

Alberta River Bodies says as of Thursday (April 23) morning there are no current flood impacts, and the ice cover through the town remains intact.

Peace River Mayor Shelly Shannon said, in a video posted to the Town’s social media on Wednesday (April 22) night, that there is no need for residents to panic.

“An ice jam flood is impossible to precisely predict, so the town and the province are closely monitoring the situation.”

She noted that residents that live in low lying areas should be prepared to leave on short notice.

Town officials are asking people to have an emergency bag packed and ready to go, make sure your household knows plans if a flood occurs, and to make sure neighbours are helped or ask neighbours for help if needed.

Shannon said to stay on alert as the river ice breakup continues.

“There’s still room on the dykes for the river to rise, but we are watching it very carefully as we are in a heightened risk phase of this event.”

An ice jam at the mouth of the Smoky River consolidated on Tuesday (April 21) evening which shortened and increased in thickness. It is estimated at about 3.5 km long and remains in place at the mouth of the Smoky River.

Water levels at the jam remain elevated, and runoff from the tributaries in the headwaters in the Smoky River basin remains high.

The ice jam at the mouth of the Smoky River has the potential to push into the Peace River and start to break up the ice cover through the Town of Peace River. Should this happen, an ice jam could form causing increased water levels and/or flooding in low lying areas.

by Erika Rolling