Icebreakers Go to Work on St. Clair River

Posted by Eric Haun February 26, 2016

Canadian Coast Guard icebreaking vessel Samuel Risley (File photo courtesy of the Canadian Coast Guard)

Icebreaking vessels from the U.S. and Canadian Coast Guards are scheduled to break ice in the North Channel of the St. Clair River, Friday.

Canadian Coast Guard ship Samuel Risley will break ice in the river near Algonac, Mich., and Harsens Island.

Due to concentrated ice buildup, the water levels in the area rose between 15 and 20 inches overnight prompting the Clay Township Emergency Operation Center and Champion’s Auto Ferry to request Coast Guard assistance.

Throughout the remainder of the winter, U.S. and Canadian Coast Guard icebreakers will continue to respond in the St. Clair River and the Great Lakes as weather conditions dictate.