Spring Icebreaking on Quebec’s Rivers and Lakes

March 15, 2019

Québec, Quebec - The Canadian Coast Guard wishes to recall that, on February 25, it undertook its spring icebreaking operations on several rivers and river mouths in Quebec.

These annual operations are intended to clear the ice of the tributaries and prevent ice jams and floods that may occur during the spring thaw.

This type of icebreaking is done by Canadian Coast Guard hovercrafts, CCGS Mamilossa or CCGS Sipu Muin, air-cushion vehicles whose engines make a sound similar to that of an airplane.

People living or frequenting the banks of rivers such as Chateauguay, L'Assomption, des Prairies, Mille ÎIes or Lac St-Louis are therefore asked not to stay on the ice when they see or hear the hovercraft in the vicinity. Ice movements can occur and pose a danger to anyone in the Canadian Coast Guard operational zone.

People who left facilities or equipment on the ice are invited to bring them back to shore immediately, if  conditions are safe.

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