The ongoing fluctuations in the water levels at Idlewild Lake is creating extreme ice hazards and it is very important for the public to recognize those dangers and to stay off the ice, the City of Cranbrook warned this morning (Dec. 2).

Residents and users of Idlewild Park must respect all of the signage in place and stay outside of the fence until further notice. With the ongoing changes in the water levels and the continuing cold temperatures, ice is forming in unstable, tiered layers making conditions very treacherous and dangerous, the city urged in a media release.

“I cannot stress enough the importance of staying off the ice at Idlewild Lake,” stated Chris Zettel, Communications Officer with the City of Cranbrook. “The conditions are absolutely perfect for dangerous ice developing. It’s sad, but with fairly regular occurrences of people ignoring the warnings, we have to keep reminding everyone the fencing and signs are there for a reason. Be smart and be responsible.”

In February 2015, council made the decision to decommission the dam at Idlewild and lower Idlewild Lake as a temporary measure to protect public safety should the dam fail. Since then, staff has been working to try to maintain water levels in the lake both to protect the public and minimize the stress and any harmful effects to aquatic life, in partnership with the Ministry of Forests, Land and Natural Resource Operations (MFLNRO), the provincial Dam Safety Branch and other local agencies.

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