Hay River (May 02/05) - The Hay River is flowing freely after a relatively uneventful spring break-up that began April 22.

"The ice went out pretty easily this year," said Councillor Robert Bouchard, council's liaison to the Emergency Measures Organization.

Bouchard says warm weather may have weakened the ice and there was a good push of water to clear it out of the river.

There was some high water in the West Channel area of town. Water backed up Oxbow Creek and filled the ditches along the highway leading to West Channel, a neighbourhood on Vale Island.

The water submerged a section of one side road, where a temporary dike was built to contain the water. "We're looking at making some improvements there," Bouchard said, explaining that might involve raising the road or more control on Oxbow Creek.

Spring break-up is always a tense time in Hay River, which has a history of flooding.

Two years ago, flooding caused the evacuation of West Channel and several homes were damaged.