MOOSE FACTORY – The Abitibi River is threatening the communities of Moose Factory and Moosenee.
The Moose Factory Island Fire & Rescue are providing twice daily updates.
Another flight was conducted this morning at 9:15AM and the duration of this flight was approximately 1 hour. The flight was to observe the current location of the Moose River breakup and the water levels that are behind it and the Abitibi River breakup location and water levels.
As of 9:40am the Moose River breakup remains at the mouth of the Abitibi River and seems to be the same as yesterdays evening flight, Main breakup is 17 miles from the communities of Moosonee/Moose Factory. The ice jam remains approximately 4 miles in length. The water levels that are associated with the Moose River breakup remain high. At the current location of the ice jam the water level has risen, this is expected with breakup. All low lying areas along the river banks continue to experience over bank flooding. At the end of the ice jam there is open water with minimal ice floating down. The water level behind the breakup has dropped 1 to 2 feet.
Abitibi River has broken up to the mouth and extends out in to the Moose River. The water levels and flow rates remain high. The ice from the Abitibi has caused large sections of ice on the Moose River to crack and move as far as the Kwatabohegan River. Although this ice hasn’t fully broken up it has cracked and moved to the top of the big rapids.
No Change in North French River’s current location of breakup remains about ¼ of a mile upstream from the mouth of this river. Icepack extends to Biederman’s Island. 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.
No Change in Kwatabohegan River: Remains broken up to the mouth of this river 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.
No Change in Cheepash River: Remains broken up to the mouth and the end of the ice remains about ½ mile from 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 its current location of Abitibi River 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 6-12 hours, but could be longer or sooner. (We can’t really predict this).
When breakup nears Moosonee and Moose Factory, we can expect to see significant increasing water levels and flow rates.
Moose Factory will remain at Level 3 – Warning Alert – Water levels are rising and breakup is within 20 miles from the community.
Please remain clear of the river banks due to the increased flow rates along the river.
Have a great morning Moosonee/Moose Factory
Michael Delaney/Curt Wesley – Moose Factory Emergency Operations Coordinators
Steve Crown – Moosonee Community Emergency Management Coordinator
