Emergency Measures Minister Steve Ashton said the Red River Floodway gates, a massive ditch that diverts water around the city, were partially activated for the first time this year after officials predicted water levels could reach just over 19 feet (six meters) this week. It was the first _ and highest _ of a series of crests expected to hit Winnipeg in the next few weeks.

Officials are working on clearing the draining systems of ice to prepare for overland flooding in areas around the Red River in Manitoba over the Easter weekend and continuing next week.

Although the north-flowing Red River in the Canadian province has not risen to the crest levels of up to 43 feet (13 meters) recently seen in Fargo, North Dakota, plenty of farmland in southern Manitoba has been washed over. One of the hardest-hit areas was near the small community of St. Jean Baptiste.

"We are providing immediate relief to the rapid rise in water levels. The floodway will be operated and monitored on an ongoing basis to minimize the risk of ice jams. The next 48 hours will be a critical time period as the ice begins to melt," said Aston, who added that the gradual raising of the gates is expected to hold city river levels at 18.5 feet (5.6 meters).

For the past few weeks, ice has not been moving freely along the river, even as water flows increase in the city. Normally, ice at the floodway inlet moves when flows reach 45,000 cubic feet per second (1,270 cubic meters per second). Flows are 49,700 cfs (15,150 cms) at the floodway inlet and the ice is still firmly in place, said Manitoba Water Stewardship spokesman Steve Topping, who said the increased risk of ice jams could cause further flooding.

"Well, we're kind of used to flooding around this area," chuckled Eric Sabourin, who was able to maintain his humor despite the fact that two-thirds of his sprawling cropland had been turned into a massive lake.

He said flooding hadn't been as bad as he had first feared and his home was safe.

Other communities appeared to be well-prepared for the river's crest, expected to hit Thursday, as sandbagging was virtually completed and temporary dikes were set up around vulnerable areas.

Most residents of the flood-prone Roseau River First Nation near the United States border remained at home because they were protected behind a ring dike well above water levels.

Manitoba has spent more than $790 million Canadian (US638 million) on expanding the floodway and flood-proofing homes, farms and businesses in the Red River Valley, after it was hit by a disastrous flood in 1997.

Forecasters have said the province could escape one of the worst floods in its history this year with only minimal property damage _ as long as there are no serious ice jams on the river or heavy precipitation in the next few weeks.

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Associated Press Writer Charmaine Noronha in Toronto contributed to this report.