Cooler weather and snow across the southern portions of Manitoba have slowed the spring melt. The additional snow and moisture is not expected to have a significant impact on water levels but may prolong the length of flooding. The flood forecast will be reassessed following the weekend storms.
A flood warning has been issued for the Pembina River for Rock Lake and downstream. A flood watch has been issued for the Qu`Appelle River at St-Lazare. A flood warning has been issued for Fisher River. A flood watch has been issued for the Assiniboine River downstream of Russell to Brandon. A flood watch has been issued for the Whitemud River in Gladstone area. The flood warning for the Souris River from Melita to Wawanesa remains in effect. A high-water advisory remains for Sturgeon Creek.
The upper level of the forecast range for the Red River remains somewhat above 2009 levels for most points on the river.
Flows on the Assiniboine River upstream of Portage la Prairie increased significantly yesterday due to ice movement. A large portion of the flows from the river were diverted into the Portage Diversion channel. Downstream of the diversion, regulated flows will be managed with consideration to current ice conditions.
Flows in the Souris River remain high and appear to have crested in the Wawanesa area. Flows are forecast to crest in downstream reaches within the next few days. High flows are expected to be sustained for an extended period of time.
Flood Response
Flood preparedness assessments at St-Lazare will be completed in the next few days to ensure the community is protected from expected high flows on the Qu`Appelle and Assiniboine rivers.
At Spruce Woods Provincial Park yesterday, the cage barrier dikes placed along PTH 5 were overtopped by a significant rise of water from an ice jam and the water levels exceeded the design capacity of the product. Flooding affected a number of areas of the campground including washroom facilities. The park’s main interpretive centre and some other buildings have not been affected and are intact. Damage will be assessed and its effect on park operations this summer will be evaluated.
Flood-fighting activity continues in Peguis. Provincial equipment in the community includes flood tube barriers, trailers, pumps and a wave breaker. To date, 543 people have evacuated from the community to Winnipeg and Gimli.
The clay dike on the east side of Ashern is being reinforced and 20 homes with limited access are being sandbagged and provided with pumps. This is a result of overland flooding.
One family has evacuated from the RM of Ritchot after losing road access from their property due to overland flooding.
Overland flooding and frozen ditches continue to affect numerous properties across southern Manitoba and the Interlake.
PTH 75 at Morris continues to be monitored on a day-by-day basis.
To date, there have been 647 people have evacuated from their homes this spring. Ninety people from the Dauphin River First Nation have returned home as road access is once again available in the community.
There are currently 72 sections of road affected by flood waters, with 37 roads closed or limited to local traffic and 24 under caution or have one-lane of traffic.
Red River
The Red River crested at Grand Forks, N.D., at 49.87 ft. at nearly 86,300 cubic feet per second (cfs).
Water levels on the main stem of the Red River at Emerson increased 0.52 ft. since yesterday’s readings. Flows at Emerson are 49,000 cfs.
Water levels at the floodway inlet have declined slightly since yesterday. Flow in the Red River above the floodway is approximately 61,000 cfs with an upstream elevation of 759.7 ft. Flows in the floodway are approximately 19,500 cfs.
Water levels at James Avenue in Winnipeg are 18.97 ft. Flows at James Avenue are forecast to increase over the next few days due to forecast higher flows on the Assiniboine River.
Assiniboine River
Flows in the Portage Diversion channel this morning are 19,000 cfs and flows on the Assiniboine River downstream of the diversion are 7,700 cfs. Inflow upstream of Portage la Prairie is 26,700 cfs.
Tributaries upstream of the Shellmouth Dam have been flowing in the last few days, resulting in increased inflow into the reservoir.
Flows into the Minnedosa dam are increasing only slightly. Tributary flows upstream have not started substantial surface run-off.
Pembina River
The flood warning for the Pembina River has been extended to include the river downstream of Rock Lake.
Water levels on Rock Lake on the Pembina River system reached a historical high level yesterday. The main stem of the Pembina River is cresting in Manitoba. The outlet from Pelican Lake has been closed since April 8. However, Pelican Lake levels are expected to reach
1,352.7 ft. later today and, as required in the operating rules in the Environment Act licence, the outlet will be operated to increase outflow from Pelican Lake.
High flows are expected to be sustained for an extended period of time.
Souris River
Flows in the Souris River remain high and it appears to have crested in the Wawanesa area. Flows are forecast to crest in upstream reaches within the next few days. High flows are expected to be sustained for an extended period of time.
Water levels continue to exceed bank-full at several locations on the Souris River. The water level on the Souris River near Melita has increased 0.88 ft. since yesterday to 1,410.35 ft. Water levels at Wawanesa have decreased 0.86 ft. to 1,554.51 ft. since yesterday.
Interlake Region
Widespread overland flooding in the Interlake region continues, with damage to roads and crossings.
Flows on the Icelandic River have crested and the river is now receding.
Flows on the Fisher River are cresting at the downstream end of the river and receding in upstream reaches.
Dauphin Lake Basin
Many of the tributaries in the Dauphin Lake basin have crested including the Vermillion and Wilson rivers and Edwards and Mink creeks.
Other Major Waterways
The Saskatchewan and Carrot rivers at The Pas have seen minimal rises in the last 24 hours. The Whitemud River has seen an initial crest, but is expected to see further water level rises in the next few days.
For more information, please see www.manitoba.ca/flooding and find the most up-to-date highway information at www.gov.mb.ca/mit/roadinfo or toll-free at 1-877-MBRoads (1-877-627-6237) andon Twitter by following @MBGov.
