Manitoba News Release

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December 13, 2006

THIN ICE ADVISORY ISSUED FOR SOUTHERN MANITOBA

A thin ice advisory for rivers and lakes in southern Manitoba has

been issued and is expected to remain in effect until

mid-January.

Manitoba Water Stewardship advises that, while most rivers and

lakes in southern Manitoba are frozen over, ice is very thin and

larger rivers still have open water in some areas.

·         Snowmobilers, skiers and others are advised not to

venture onto rivers and lakes due to the danger of falling

through.

·         Recent mild weather is weakening ice.

·         Thin ice is often covered by snow which produces weak

spots due to its insulating effect.

·         Areas of fast-flowing water tend to have thin ice which

may not be visible.

·         Ice conditions on the Assiniboine River may be

dangerous from now through mid-January due to rising levels

resulting from increased Shellmouth Reservoir outflows.

·         River levels will rise three feet from Shellmouth to

Millwood and between one and two feet from Brandon to Headingley.

·         The winter operation plan for the reservoir was

prepared in consultation with the Shellmouth Reservoir Regulation

Liaison Committee.

Flood advisories for the Fairford and Dauphin rivers remain in

effect due to the possibility of frazil ice jams occurring before

freeze-up.

The flood advisory for the Waterhen River was cancelled in late

November when the river became frozen over.  The Amphibex

icebreaker was used successfully in November to break ice jams on

the Waterhen River.

Levels of the Red River and rivers other than the Assiniboine in

southern Manitoba are not expected to change much during the rest

of this winter.