Ice jamming operations to prevent flooding begin in Manitoba

A sign of spring in Manitoba ice jamming operations to reduce riverbank flooding along the Red River are underway, the massive pieces of equipment are moving tons and tons of ice as they do their important work. 

The operation, which runs from February 20 until March 15, will see machines like these work their way along the Lower Red River, breaking up ice to prevent river bank flooding and overflow. 

Seeing the machine for the first time up close Wednesday with his grandparents was young Érik Lachance. His grandfather, Tim Thorne-Tjomsland said they couldn’t miss an opportunity to see the floating machines in the flesh. 

“Well, we are fascinated by these big machines that break up the ice in the spring, and our grandson Erik loves heavy equipment. And when he learned that there’s heavy equipment that actually floats on ice, and breaks it up, we thought: ‘we have to come out and see it,” said Thorne-Tjomsland. 

Starting in 2006, the program will see remote-controlled ice-cutting units and three Amphibex icebreakers take to the ice from Selkirk to Netley Marsh, breaking up roughly 28 kilometres, and100 metres wide.

Meanwhile, in Winnipeg, a portion of the river is shutting down, as the forks announced the closure of the Nestewaya River Trail after only nine days.

Sara Stasiuk, with the North Forks Portage, thanked those behind the trail and the public, despite the shortest season to date.  

“I have to hand it to our team and our partners at The Winnipeg Foundation for navigating some really challenging and unpredictable conditions this winter – we’re already crossing our fingers for a better year next year.”