Manitoba Infrastructure’s Hydrologic Forecast Centre is advising people to stay off the upper and lower Assiniboine River as the ice surface may weaken or crack and become hazardous following reduced flows from the Shellmouth Reservoir.

Releases from the Shellmouth Reservoir have been underway since the fall to increase its capacity for anticipated spring run-off. The target level on the reservoir has been reached, so it is now necessary to reduce the outflow by 1,000 cubic feet per second.

Reduced flows in the Assiniboine River could break the ice and create hazardous conditions. It is strongly advised that people use caution if venturing out onto what appears to be frozen rivers and lakes, due to potential weak ice conditions.