In Montreal, journalist Louis-Philippe Messier explores the urban landscape while highlighting the city’s ongoing struggle against a glacier formed in 2008. Despite efforts by Giovanni Scattone and his team to dismantle the ice mass, recent snowfall has revived the glacier, posing significant challenges. As the team employs tactical strategies to manage the snow accumulation, questions remain about the glacier’s future, particularly as weather patterns fluctuate, leaving its fate uncertain.
The Ongoing Battle Against the Montreal Glacier
In the vibrant city of Montreal, journalist Louis-Philippe Messier prefers to navigate the urban landscape on foot, carrying his office in a backpack as he seeks out intriguing stories and diverse individuals. His dedication to capturing the essence of city life is evident as he engages with people from all walks of life in this urban narrative.
The Resurgence of the Montreal Glacier
Deep within an ancient quarry, where the City of Montreal disposes of a significant portion of its snowfall, lies a remarkable remnant—a glacier formed in 2008. This resilient mass of ice has withstood the test of time, recently bolstered by over 2.5 million cubic meters of fresh snowfall from the latest blizzard.
The Montreal glacier is back and poses a considerable challenge to the City, which has been waging a relentless campaign with bulldozers for the past 17 years to dismantle it. Giovanni Scattone, the foreman at the Saint-Michel snow depot, expresses his determination: “As soon as the snow loading is finished, I’m going to send my guys to attack the mountain,” he declares, strategizing the City’s efforts against this formidable ice giant.
Mr. Scattone likens his role to that of a military commander, meticulously crafting a plan to tackle the icy foe. He outlines the approach: “My excavators will come in from the side… arranged in a staircase, pushing down as much snow as possible by compacting it to the side,” he explains, showcasing the tactical maneuvers he employs in this ongoing struggle.
During my visit, I witnessed an impressive snow blanket cascading down from the top of a 100-meter cliff, forming a steep slope that stretches down at a 45-degree angle. This colossal load represents approximately 36,800 truckloads of snow accumulated since February 14. Mr. Scattone’s team aims to flatten this immense snow pyramid, preparing it for a swift melt as spring approaches.
The meltwater collected at the bottom of the quarry is then pumped to a treatment facility, but the question remains: how long will the glacier endure?
In a report from September 2024, the glacier had diminished by nearly 70% compared to the previous year, largely due to a lack of substantial snowfall. The once-mighty ice formation was left exposed to the sun and the relentless efforts of Mr. Scattone’s team, who managed to reduce its volume from over 700,000 cubic meters to a mere 180,000 cubic meters.
“I celebrated last fall, believing we had finally vanquished the glacier after years of relentless efforts, but now anything is possible,” Mr. Scattone reflects. He acknowledges the unpredictable nature of summer weather: “If the summer turns out to be hot and sunny, we might discover the heart of the glacier and eliminate it for good,” he hopes. However, he also recognizes the possibility of a cooler summer, which could mean the glacier remains—a stubborn iceberg refusing to melt completely.
As the battle between man and ice continues, only time will reveal the victor. What does the future hold for the Montreal glacier? Only Mother Nature has the answer.