The province's Amphibex icebreaking machine will be working at the Portage Diversion in about a month.

It was launched this week, and is currently doing extensive icebreaking along the Red River.

Provincial Infrastructure Executive Director Steve Topping says the Portage Diversion's Lake Manitoba outlet is subject to blockage, which causes flooding. He adds it'll be a two or three day job for the machine, which then moves on to work along the Whitemud River. It'll help protect a number of properties along the river.

Topping says icebreaking operations in communities like the Pas have resulted in cost savings from damage caused by ice jams.