Ice Jam 34 Miles from Moosenee/Moose Factory

MOOSENEE – Another flight was conducted this evening at 5:40pm and the duration of this flight was approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes. The flight was to observe the current location of breakup and the water levels that are behind it and the Abitibi River breakup location and water levels.

As of 7:00pm breakup still remains at mileage 151 (Tommyville) which is 34 miles from the communities of Moosonee/Moose Factory. The ice jam has now extended about 1/2 mile upstream from the Moose River Crossing. Water levels have increased very little and the flow rates have increased. This is expected when breakup stops. All low lying areas along the river banks are experiencing over bank flooding associated with the current location of this breakup.

At the end of the ice jam there is open water with minimal ice floating down.

Abitibi River breakup location is approximately 24 miles from the mouth of this waterway. The ice jam is approximately 7 miles long. The water levels and flow rates above breakup are high. The water levels and flow rates below breakup are moderate.

No Change—North French River’s current location of breakup remains about ¼ of a mile upstream from the mouth of this river. The water levels in this waterway are moderate with gradually increasing flow rates to help push the ice out and in to the Moose River. There will be 2-3 ice flows coming out of this waterway due to open stretches of water that are approximately 10-15 miles apart.

No Change—Kwatabohegan River breakup is approximately 3 miles from the train crossing and below it the ice remains intact with open sections and the water levels and flow rates remain constant. However, there is over bank flooding in low lying areas along the shoreline of this waterway.

Cheepash River has broken up to the mouth and the end of the ice jam is near the mouth of the river. The water levels and flow rates remain moderate.

Water levels continue to fluctuate around Moose Factory and Moosonee. This waterway is intact up to mileage 151 at the time of flight, with open sections along all shorelines and where there is fast moving water. Expected time of arrival of breakup near Moose Factory and Moosonee could be between 12-48 hours or more.

When breakup nears Moosonee and Moose Factory, we can expect to see water levels increase and flow rates increase.

Please take the time to remind your children to remain clear of breakup when it reaches Moosonee/Moose Factory.

Have a great evening Moosonee/Moose Factory

Michael Delaney/Curt Wesley – Moose Factory Emergency Operations Coordinators
Steve Crown – Moosonee Community Emergency Management Coordinator