Ice Breaking to Start Next Week on St. Lawrence

The Canadian Coast Guard will begin spring icebreaking operations on or around March 21st in Akwesasne. The date is only an indicator, as activities could begin before or after that period, according to operational requirements or prevailing weather conditions.

Any facilities or equipment on the ice must be moved safely ashore before 11:59 p.m. on March 20th.

The Akwesasne Mohawk Police Service and the Canadian Coast Guard strongly recommend that pedestrians, fishermen and snowmobilers leave the ice when they see an icebreaker in the vicinity. The ice may move, creating a real danger for anyone in the area of a Canadian Coast Guard unit.

The purpose of this annual operation is to break up the ice in order to prevent ice jams and flooding that can result from the spring thaw.

Canadian Coast Guard icebreakers have a red hull with a transverse white band in the centre, and a white funnel on top bearing a maple leaf.