Ice Jam Watch for Clearwater and Athabasca Rivers. Ice Jam Watch areas in orange. Image via Province of Alberta
An Ice Jam Watch has been issued for Fort McMurray as river conditions continue to evolve.
UPDATE 8:50 p.m., April 27, 2024: The RMWB River Camera shows ice run has started to move through Fort McMurray and the bridge over the Athabasca River.
Ice run moves through Fort McMurray, 8:50 p.m. April 26, 2026
UPDATE 3:20 p.m. April 27, 2024: The RMWB has issued a release on River Breakup:
“River Breakup Community update – April 27, 2026
Ice Jam Watch issued by province; ice conditions being monitored
(Fort McMurray, AB – April 27, 2026) – Provincial river forecasters are reporting that an ice jam approximately 20 km long has formed approximately 7 km upstream from the Thickwood golf course in Fort McMurray. There is a smaller ice jam 2 km upstream from the Thickwood golf course, which is not of concern at this time.
The ice cover on the Athabasca and Clearwater rivers remain in place and intact, though there is some ponding of water on the surface in some areas. Ice conditions may change with little warning, especially as temperatures warm up.
Ice Jam Watch issued
The province has issued an Ice Jam Watch for Fort McMurray. There are no Evacuation Alerts or Orders in place at this time
The Regional Emergency Coordination Centre is actively monitoring the situation, and the River Breakup Emergency Management plan is activated, as it is each year during river breakup.
Alberta Environment and Protected Areas forecasters continue to conduct aerial surveys by helicopter and drone. The rivers are being closely monitored, and regular updates will continue to be shared with the community as conditions change and the ice breaks apart. .
Be prepared for river breakup
Residents in areas near the Athabasca and Clearwater rivers should stay informed during this time and be prepared for river breakup. Stay away from riverbanks as ice can move without warning, and water levels can change quickly.
The municipality continues to offer a residential sandbag program. Free sandbags and materials are available at the RMWB Satellite Yard – 28 Silin Forest Road. The area is fenced and gated, so call Pulse to arrange an appointment.
In preparation for hazard season, residents should:
- Take proactive measures to prepare households
- Review community emergency management plans
- Create a household emergency plan.
- Prepare an emergency kit
- Become familiar with your insurance policy
- Download the Alberta Emergency Alerts app
Stay informed – follow trusted sources
For detailed information on river conditions, ice observation reports, and ice advisories, download the AB Rivers App
- Subscribe to receive river breakup updates in your inbox at rmwb.ca/riverbreakup
- Follow municipal social media on Facebook and X at @rmwoodbuffalo
- Watch river breakup from the live river breakup camera overlooking the Athabasca River
For more information contact Pulse at 780-743-7000, 1-800-973-9663 or rmwb.ca/pulse.”
UPDATE 2:30 p.m. April 27, 2026. The province of Alberta has extended the Ice Jam Watch to include the Clearwater River from just before Draper through to the confluence of the Clearwater and Athabasca Rivers.
UPDATE 2:00 p.m. April 27, 2026: Skylar White has sent Harvard Media News an exclusive new video of the river approximately 5km upstream of the Athabasca River Bridge.
UPDATE 1:40 p.m., April 27, 2026. Ice has broken at Crooked Rapids which is just over 10km upstream from Fort McMurray. Skylar White, a resident of Fort McMurray is south of the Fort McMurray Golf Course. He tells Harvard Media News, the “ice jam is here,” just south of the golf course. “It has moved about a one kilometer and then stopped again.
Meanwhile, the view from Crooked rapids shows the ice break while water levels at the MacDonald Island Park monitoring station remain elevated.
Crooked Rapids just over 10km upstream of the Fort McMurray Bridge
UPDATE 1:15 p.m. April 27, 2026. Water levels at the MacDonald Island Park monitoring station are showing a rapid rise, but are beginning to plateau:
Mac Island Water Monitoring Station, 1:15 p.m. April 27.
A resident of Fort McMurray, Skylar White has posted a video of ice flowing on the Athabasca south of Fort McMurray to his public Facebook page.
UPDATE: According to Alberta Rivers: “An ice run was observed 180 km upstream of Fort McMurray, breaking through intact ice. Though the river ice closer to Fort McMurray is relatively intact and strong, river flows are elevated following significant snowmelt in the basin last week.
The ice run will be monitored by gauging station as it approaches Fort McMurray. The ice run may stop and form a jam upstream of Fort McMurray, either temporarily or for some time.
The River Forecast Center is in close contact with the Town of Athabasca and the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo. The Ice Advisory remains in place on the Athabasca River from the Pembina River to Pelican Rapids, including the Town of Athabasca.
The ice cover through Fort McMurray is intact. This advisory remains in place to indicate changes in river ice conditions and will be extended downstream as required. “
Officials say an ice jam has formed upstream, just south of the community. While the ice remains intact through town at this time, conditions can change quickly and without warning.
Residents are being urged to stay away from riverbanks and to remain aware of changing conditions.
Provincial river forecasters are surveying the river from the air today to assess the situation. A more detailed river breakup update is expected to be released later.
Currently water levels measured near the Fort McMurray Golf Course are showing some fluctuation:
Water Levels at Fort McMurray Golf Course station, April 27, 2026 at 11:55 a.m.
For the latest information, residents can visit the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo’s website at rmwb.ca/riverbreakup.
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