Rivers still not ready to skate on

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This article was published 03/01/2024 (670 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

There is still no date for the opening of the Nestaweya River Trail.

Despite incoming frigid weather in the forecast, The Forks has no plans to open any of its river skating trails because the ice around the historic site still isn’t thick enough.

Environment Canada is calling for seasonal temperatures this weekend with the mercury expected to dip below -25 C Sunday night going into Monday.

Natalie Hasell, a warning preparedness meteorologist for Environment and Climate Change Canada, said her forecast shows no reprieve from the cold for the next week or two.

“We’ve had it pretty good so far,” she said.

Zach Peters, communications manager for The Forks, said crews are working to build up inland trails and testing ice on the waterways, but have yet to schedule an opening for the Nestaweya River Trail.

Last year, the port section of the trail opened on Jan. 1 with the river trail following shortly after. Only four times in the last 16 years has the ice been thick enough to skate on in December, Peters said.

The latest opening of the river trail was in 2016 when skaters were welcomed on Jan. 21.

“This year isn’t out of the realm of our regular opening dates,” he said.

In Lockport, the threat of thin ice hasn’t stopped fishers from gathering on the Red River.

About 20 fishing shacks are already set up near the locks with more expected to be erected this weekend, Eric Stone from Red River Cats said.

“Everyone’s really excited. We’re really starting to build some strong ice,” he said from the Red River Wednesday.

Warm temperatures pushed the ice-fishing season back about three weeks, but recent temperatures have thickened the ice up to about 30 centimetres in most places, Stone said.

Stone urged non-experienced fishers to check ice conditions via drilling or online forums before setting up tents or shacks.

nicole.buffie@freepress.mb.ca