The mayor of the Rural Municipality of St. Clements says Amphibex machines were put into service over the Easter weekend to re-cut some parts of the Red River that had frozen over again.

They were also used for the first time at the river’s confluence with Netley Creek.

“In 2011 when we had an ice jam in that area, Netley Creek almost over-flowed all its banks,” said Mayor Steve Strang.

He said in recent years the community has been very proactive with its flood mitigation measures.

St. Clements is partnering with the neighbouring Rural Municipality of St Andrews to share resources such as sand-bagging machines.

They are also supplying thousands of sandbags to Broken Head First Nation.

“I think together that’s going to be a winning formula,” said Strang.

“My hope at the end of the day is sometime we’ll all be able to stand on the dyke and watch the whole thing go by. But until that time comes, we all need to be alert.”

He says the R-M and residents are hoping for the best but preparing for the worst.