Releases from Rafferty and Alameda dams in southeastern Saskatchewan were set to begin Tuesday and continue until spring runoff.
Saskatchewan Watershed Authority said the current flow of .5 cubic metres per second from Rafferty reservoir would increase to five m3 per second. Flows from Alameda reservoir would be initiated and rise to three m3 per second.
The releases are required to lower the reservoirs for spring flood protection and to meet water level requirements according to the International Agreement on Water Supply and Flood Control in the Souris River Basin.
The authority said ice on the Souris River will be thin this winter due to the well above normal flow and people should use extreme caution when near the river, culverts and bridges.
