Ice-breaking operations begin on Red River north of Winnipeg

Spring is around the corner, so the Amphibex icebreakers are crawling out of hibernation.

The Manitoba government is beginning its annual ice-cutting program this week on the Red River from Selkirk to the Netley-Libau Marsh to reduce the chances of ice-jam-related flooding.

The work started Tuesday and is expected to be complete on March 15.

Remote-controlled ice-cutting machines will first carve into the frozen river before three Amphibex icebreakers follow up, pounding and crushing the ice to allow the water to flow more freely toward Lake Winnipeg when the thaw comes.

The 20,000-kilogram Amphibex machines — a cross between a barge and a backhoe — are used before and during the spring thaw. Unlike the ice-cutters, they are amphibious, so there is no worry about them falling through the ice.

A file photo shows the 20,000-kilogram Amphibex — a cross between a barge and a backhoe. (CBC)

The process will open a channel about 100 metres wide, stretching for 28 kilometres.

Ice-cutting and breaking are often undertaken on the Icelandic River at Riverton and at the outlet of the Portage Diversion, but those operations are not expected to be required this spring.

However, the province says it will monitor those areas and bring in the machines if necessary.

Notices will be posted in areas where the machines are operating and the public is advised to stay off ice.

Ice fishers are also reminded to remove their huts if they are in the areas covered by the ice-jam mitigation program.