Ice Breaking Update

Good Afternoon,

Since last Thursday’s post, commercial shipping and ice breaking operations in the river system have slowed significantly. Vessel traffic will be minimal during the next month or so until spring break out in March when the locks re-open.

The CGC BRISTOL BAY and CCGS SAMUEL RISLEY have been working this week in the St. Clair River primarily moving shipping traffic through the system. Current weather conditions have not allowed flushing ice to be that effective in the South Channel and ice does continue to develop and move down in heavier quantities. Likely through the weekend, we have NO plans to send our icebreakers into the North Channel. Our goal through the next month is to mitigate the threat of flooding for waterfront communities, we continue to monitor the weather and water levels closely and to prevent levels from reaching flood potential.

We will continue to provide information via this blog as it pertains to ice operations in the North Channel.