In early February 2026, crews began cutting into the ice on the Red River in Selkirk, Manitoba, to help prevent flooding this spring. This work makes the frozen surface very unstable, and local officials are warning residents to stay off the river for their own safety.
The North Red Waterway Maintenance Corporation (NRWMC)—a partnership between the City of Selkirk and the Rural Municipalities of St. Andrews and St. Clements—is working with the Manitoba government to weaken the ice before the spring melt begins. Workers are using seven remote-controlled saws to cut a grid pattern into the ice, followed by four Amphibex icebreakers that use their weight and hydraulic booms to break the frozen surface into smaller pieces.
The work covers a 28-kilometre stretch of the river, starting in the city and moving north toward the Netley-Libau Marsh. People who usually go ice fishing, snowmobiling, or walking on the river must avoid these areas because the ice may look solid but it is no longer safe to stand on.
Barricades and signs are being placed at popular entry points like the Selkirk Park boat launch and CIL Road to keep people away from the danger zones. This annual program is meant to stop large ice jams from forming, which can act like dams and cause water to back up into nearby homes and properties.
The operations are expected to continue through the middle of March. Residents are encouraged to watch for orange fencing, official signs, and digital “Danger Zone” maps that show where it is dangerous to go on the river.
