PORTLAND (AP) – Coast Guard cutters have begun their annual icebreaking operations on the Kennebec River.

The cutters Shackle and Tackle began making their way upriver from Bath on Monday and will keep at it as far north as Gardiner in an effort to reduce the chances of spring flooding on the river.

The Coast Guard is warning ice fishermen, snowmobile riders and others to stay off the river where the cutters will be working as ice floes break off and float downriver and out to sea.

AP-ES-03-17-08 0923EDT