Snowmobilers, ice fishers advised work has started
Two ice breaking Amphibex machines along with new and more powerful ice-cutting machines are now actively breaking ice on the Red River north of Selkirk, Water Stewardship Minister Christine Melnick announced.
Warning signs were posted along the river in the area in advance of the work as a safety reminder for snowmobilers and ice fishers. As well, ice-fishing huts in the area were posted for removal.
“We have committed over $230,000 in additional support this year for the province’s ice-cutting and ice breaking operation,” said Melnick. “The added funding and expanded arsenal of ice breaking equipment strengthens this made-in-Manitoba effort to tackle ice jams on the Red River.”
The ice-cutting machines make cuts along and across the ice on the river to weaken the ice. The Amphibexes then break a channel to allow the ice to move. The ice cutting started in the second week of February. This work, combined with the ice breaking, has a budget this year of $1 million.
Ground-penetrating radar is being used to determine ice thickness and to guide the ice-cutting and breaking operations this year. The ice on the Red River ranges from 46 to 71 centimetres (18 to 28 inches) thick. At this time last year it was 61 to 91 cm (24 to 36 in.) thick.
The North Red Community Water Maintenance Corporation, which includes the rural municipalities of St. Andrews and St. Clements and the City of Selkirk, delivers the province’s ice-jam mitigation program.
Other ice-jam prone rivers will be considered for ice cutting later in the spring.
Use of the Amphibex equipment has prevented approximately $3 million in damages in Manitoba in the past three years, the minister said.
