There is widespread overland flooding in the Interlake and western regions of the province causing damage to bridges, roads and other crossings. Ice jamming and high water levels in streams in these areas have increased substantially in the last few days.
While the upper level of the forecast range has been reduced slightly, it still remains somewhat above 2009 levels for all points on the river. 2009 was the second-largest flood in the past 150 years.
Many of the smaller tributaries in the Dauphin Lake basin have crested. The water level of the Vermillion River at the town of Dauphin decreased over four feet since yesterday.
Significant snow is forecast for the upper portions of the Red, Souris and Assiniboine river basins this weekend. Manitoba Water Stewardship will update flood forecasts this weekend to reflect this weekend’s storm.
The Pembina River main stem is cresting in Manitoba and the U.S. A second crest is forecast April 19 to 23. A revised forecast will be provided.
Flood Response
Southern areas of the province are experiencing significant overland flooding. Soil saturation levels going into the spring melt are extremely high across most of the southern part of the province. Overland flooding is unpredictable and Manitobans should be vigilant if they live in flood-prone or low-lying areas.
Cooler weather and forecasted snow and rain in southern Manitoba and the Fargo area will slow melt rates and extend the length of time flooding occurs.
While the upper level of the forecast range has been reduced slightly, it still remains somewhat above 2009 levels for all points on the Red River. 2009 was the second-largest flood in the past 150 years.
There are 88 provincial road sections affected by flooding – 44 are closed and 39 are under caution. Hundreds of municipal roads are also affected.
Red River Valley and Interlake
PTH 75 continues to be monitored on a day-by-day basis.
Residents of the personal-care home in St. Adolphe will be transferred to Grunthal early next week as a precautionary move due to concerns over road access. Patients and family members have been contacted and are prepared for the move.
PR 200 access to the north end of St. Adolphe is restricted to one lane of traffic. Closure of PR 210 east is planned in the next few days. The low portion of the ring dike along the river at Ste. Agathe is being raised and is nearing completion.
Ice jams have subsided along the Icelandic River but the Arborg, Riverton, Bifrost and Fisher Branch areas continue to experience significant overland flooding, which is washing out some municipal roads and flooding farmland. A few homes have been protected by sandbag dikes.
Overland flooding is affecting much of province including the RMs of St. Laurent, Headingley and St. Francois Xavier.
The Manitoba government has provided two flood-tube barrier trailers for the Peguis First Nation. Approximately 161 homes have been evacuated because of loss of essential access due to rising water. There are 505 evacuees in Winnipeg.
At the Fisher River First Nation, overland flooding and some river flooding is occurring. Some homes are becoming isolated by water in the Fisher River First Nation community and are being evacuated.
Initial preparations are underway should the community ring dike need to be partially closed in the Grand Point area.
Southwest Manitoba and the Assiniboine River
A significant ice jam caused sudden high water levels at Spruce Woods Provincial Park and overtopped the dike on PTH 5 which was put in place to protect park infrastructure. A maintenance building and bunkhouses in the park have been flooded.
Tracks along the main CP Rail line have been damaged by flood waters east of Brandon. Crews are making repairs, which are expected to take approximately 24 hours. Trains are being temporarily rerouted.
As a precaution, 29 patients and residents of health centres and personal-care homes in Wawanesa and Gladstone were moved to alternate facilities.
Ice jams along the Assiniboine River affected three homes in the RM of Cornwallis. Levels rose and then fell quickly. Families were evacuated temporarily.
Overland flooding is affecting the Sandy Bay First Nation and two homes have been affected. Approximately 24 people have been evacuated from the community.
Northern Manitoba
Two Amphibex machines are now in The Pas and working on ice in the area.
General
So far, there have been 669 evacuations related to flooding. Evacuees have come primarily from the Peguis, Roseau River and Dauphin River First Nations.
The STARS helicopter ambulance has flown 17 missions and transported nine patients.
There have been 18 prevention orders and 15 local states of emergency declared this spring across the southern part of the province. Six rural municipalities have opened their emergency operations centres.
Emergencies like a flood can cause stress and anxiety. There are supports for those looking for assistance in dealing with stress including Klinic Community Health Centre 24-hour crisis line, 786-8686 in Winnipeg, toll-free at 1-888-322-3019 or www.de-stress.ca; Manitoba Farm and Rural Support Services at 1-866-367-3276 toll-free or www.ruralsupport.ca; and Health Links-Info Santé which can help find resources through your local regional health authority at 788-8200 in Winnipeg or toll-free at 1-888-315-9257.
Red River
Water levels on the main stem of the Red River at Emerson increased 0.36 ft. since yesterday’s readings. Flows at Emerson are 47,700 cubic feet per second (cfs).
Water levels at the floodway inlet have declined slightly since yesterday. Flow in the Red River above the floodway is approximately 61,500 cfs with an upstream elevation of 759.80 ft. Flows in the floodway are approximately 19,000 cfs.
Assiniboine River
Ice has moved out at various locations along the Assiniboine River. There are ice jams and ice is moving between Brandon and Portage la Prairie.
The main stem of the river currently remains within banks at most locations.
Tributaries upstream of the Shellmouth Dam have started flowing in the last few days, resulting in increased inflow into the reservoir.
Flows in the Portage Diversion channel are 5,000 cfs and flows on the Assiniboine River downstream of the diversion are 4,200 cfs. Inflow upstream of Portage la Prairie is 9,200 cfs.
Pembina River
A flood warning remains in effect for the Pembina River between Rock Lake and upstream of
La Rivière. A flood watch is issued for the Pembina River downstream of La Rivière to Windygates.
Flows on the main stem of the Pembina River and its tributaries are expected to crest for a longer period of time than in previous years. Flows at various locations along the Pembina River are higher than in 2009. Water levels remain close to or above bank-full at several locations in Manitoba and above flood stage levels at U.S. sites at Neche and Walhalla, N.D.
The Pembina River main stem is cresting in Manitoba and the U.S. A second crest is forecast April 19 to 23. A revised forecast will be provided.
Souris River
A flood warning remains in effect for the Souris River between Melita and Wawanesa.
The river is over the banks at several locations. The water level on the Souris River near Melita has increased 1.5 ft. since yesterday to 1,409.47 ft. Water levels at Wawanesa have increased 2.5 ft. since yesterday, due to increased flows.
Interlake Region
The Icelandic River has crested and flows are now decreasing. The Icelandic River has reached bank-full in Arborg. Water levels upstream of Riverton have decreased since yesterday.
Water levels in the Fisher River have stabilized after rising more than three ft. in the last two days. A flood warning has been issued for the Fisher River. Water levels remain above channel capacity at Dallas. Both branches of the river are generally ice free.
Dauphin Lake Basin
Many of the smaller tributaries in the Dauphin Lake basin have crested. Flows in the Vermillion River at the town of Dauphin decreased over four ft. since yesterday.
Widespread overland flooding in the basin caused damage to roads and crossings. High water levels in streams in these areas have increased substantially in the last few days, causing loss of private access, and municipal and provincial road damage.
Other Major Waterways
Steps are being taken to lower the reservoir level at Minnedosa. Water levels downstream are being closely monitored. The Saskatchewan River at The Pas has seen minimal rises in the last 24 hours. Water levels on the Whitemud River at Gladstone have decreased significantly since yesterday due to the release of an ice jam.
For more information, please see www.manitoba.ca/flooding and find the most up-to-date highway information at www.gov.mb.ca/mit/roadinfoor toll-free at 1-877-MBRoads (1-877-627-6237) and on Twitter by following @MBGov.
