Floating bulldozer to crack through B.C. ice jam

Ruez, have you had a chance to checked this thing out ? Watching it work on TV gave me the impression that there might not be enough winter left before it did any good.

Did that hot water ever do anything? Or didn't they even try?

They're still trying in but the hot water idea is a pipe-dream at best. The amount of heated water needed to have any effect on the ice jam is way beyond what can be pumped into the river.

It just started working yesterday, it should be interesting to see if it works. Interestingly enough, it was because of a local woman that this machine was discovered at all. She did a little search for something that would break ice, and brought it to the attention of a local news website who in turn passed on the information to the authorities. Up till then we've been told from the "ice experts" that we would have to wait it out. The warm water plan hasn't been started yet but they are still going to go ahead with it, the pipes are still being laid.

What's the hot water plan? Geothermal heating?

Water from one of the local pulp mills will be piped a few Km's up river and emptied at the head of the ice jam. It's not really hot water though as they release it at 15c. I think the best it will do is keep the water clear of ice once the jam has been opened.

Nice to hear you guys are back to work.

What's the situation like for the residential area that was affected?

I didn't hear that part. Yet another embarrassment for the "experts" in PG.

I've seen a few of these in Alberta,they actually float.

I don't know about the residents situations, not too many houses were affected, luckily. However two sawmills are still shut down due to unsafe conditions. Quite frankly it doesn't look good for anyone in the forest industry. Two more Canfor panel mills just shut down indefinately and my job is hanging by a thread.

I don't know about the residents situations, not too many houses were affected, luckily. However two sawmills are still shut down due to unsafe conditions. Quite frankly it doesn't look good for anyone in the forest industry. Two more Canfor panel mills just shut down indefinately and my job is hanging by a thread.

Yeah, I'd be looking around if I were you. Ft. Nelson just lost their two, ours is down, McKenzie of course is done.... We got screwed again, my friend.

Best bet is to get a trucking job hauling logs to port. That's where our beloved industry is going.

The Amphibex

The Watermaster

I was actually thinking I'd be better off if I just got laid off and I could go to EI and get some paid training. It's going to be a few years before forestry picks up again around here, and by then all the pine will be dead.