The Manitoba Government has announced that the annual ice-cutting program to reduce the risk of ice-jam flooding will begin today.
Safety notices have been posted in areas where the Amphibex machines will be working. River users, hikers and outdoor enthusiasts are encouraged to stay off the ice where notices are posted or where recent ice cutting has begun.
Ice fishers are also reminded to remove huts or other materials in the areas where ice-cutting is taking place.
Each year, remote-controlled ice-cutting units and three Amphibex icebreakers cut and break approximately 28 kilometres of ice on the Red River from Netley Marsh to Selkirk.
The ice-jam mitigation program began in 2006 and involves cutting and breaking river ice to reduce the risk of flooding caused by ice jams on the lower Red River and other rivers.
Currently, ice-cutting operations are planned for Riverton, but are not expected to be required at the Portage Diversion.
The ice-cutting and breaking work is expected to wrap up on March 10.
