Workers will begin removing ice to create a "back channel" through Cottonwood Island Park in a bid to relieve the pressure on the Nechako River.
Equipment is now lined up at the boat launch and work should begin Tuesday, city spokesman Rob Van Adrichem said.
As a consequence, the trail running near from the Cameron Street Bridge to near the replica bridge is closed to the public as is parking at the boat launch, the Kiwanis Park, and the Spruce City Wildlife Association fish hatchery.
The river's level has been dropping slightly over the last few days as the long-running cold snap has given way to warmer weather while the river's flow at Isle Pierre remains just under 200 cubic metres per second.
Further upriver, at Vanderhoof and at the Stuart River, flows are decreasing slowly.
Although there are several areas of open water, stationary ice on the Nechako can be seen about 12 km upriver from the confluence with the Fraser River and a level one emergency remains in place. It means the city's emergency operations centre at Fire Hall No. 1 is open and the river is being monitored around the clock.
