The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Manitoba's ability to prevent or break up river ice jams has been bolstered. The province ann-ounced last week it is purchasing a third Amphibex AE 400 icebreaking machine. It will be ready for action in March. "Ice jams are unpredictable, but we do know from experience that these machines can make a difference and are an important part of our overall flood-fighting efforts," said Premier Greg Selinger. The new Amphibex will cost $1.2 million. The province has also acquired a trailer to transport the 22-ton machine between launch sites and assignments. Before the spring run-off begins, ice-cutting machines will be used ahead of the icebreakers to make cuts along and across rivers to weaken the ice. An Amphibex will then break a channel in the middle of the river to allow the ice to move freely. Ice jams most frequently occur with higher flows during the spring run-off and can result in significant localized flooding. Ice-jam-related flooding can also develop quickly and without warning.
