Amphibex icebreaking crews are at work on thick Red River ice north of Selkirk, Premier Greg Selinger announced here today at the launch point of the 2015 ice-jam prevention program.
“Once again the Manitoba Amphibex team will lead an important part of our overall flood-fighting effort to reduce ice-jam-related flooding on the north Red,” said Premier Selinger. “The province’s advanced flood infrastructure protects Manitobans who are affected by flooding. We have seen how quickly ice-jam related flooding can develop, and the icebreaking machines and personnel will cut a path for river ice to move. This will mean added security and peace of mind for the residents upstream who are vulnerable.”
Ice-cutting machines have been creating a grid pattern so the Amphibex equipment can break the ice and enable its movement to prevent jamming.
“The first 2015 flood outlook will be ready for release during the last week of February,” said Premier Selinger. “Government officials are working with municipalities to refine plans and assess equipment needs to prepare for what may be coming this spring.”
The 24-ton Amphibex machines are breaking through the ice on areas of the Red River with a history of ice-jamming. The icebreakers can also be transported by heavy trucks to other areas of the province if ice jam issues develop on other rivers. Two-person crews pilot the vessels with safety and support crews nearby. Global positioning systems have been installed on the ice cutters to track exactly where the cuts have been made.
The provincial ice-mitigation fleet consists of four Amphibex AE 400 icebreaking machines, seven ice cutting machines and seven amphibious transport and support vehicles. The icebreaking and ice-cutting equipment is operated and maintained by North Red Waterway Maintenance Inc., a corporation formed by the rural municipalities of St. Andrews and St. Clements and the City of Selkirk with support from the Manitoba government. The Amphibex fleet crushes more than 25 km of river ice annually.
Notices have been posted in areas where the Amphibex machines will be working as a safety reminder for ice fishers, snowmobile enthusiasts and other river users. Ice fishers are reminded to remove huts or other material in the areas covered by the ice-mitigation program.
