The High River Fire Department and the Town of High River are warning residents to stay off local rivers, lakes and storm water retention ponds.

The Town has gone as far as prohibiting all recreational activities on waterways in and around Town because of the extreme danger they pose.

Fire Chief Len Zebedee says in some spots the ice may look thick enough, but do you want to bet your life on it?

"Of course the ice can be three inches thick in one spot and a foot think in another. But once you go through it might be very tough to get back onto that ice and crawl out. We'd prefer you didn't go out onto the ice this time of year and stay off the river's the storm water retention ponds that are around the area."

High River Fire Chief Len Zebedee says any waterway around the Town is incredibly dangerous right now as early spring break-up is making the ice very unstable. Photo - Russell Skeet.

The Town is advising residents stay off the Highwood River, as well as Emerson, Sunshine, Highwood, Montrose and Vista Mirage lakes.

For more information on ice safety, please visit the High River Fire Department website "HERE."