Yesterday, ice jams along the Assiniboine River between Poplar Point and Baie St. Paul Bridge caused surges in the water levels and overtopped and breached the dikes in some areas. Dike repairs and reinforcements were being made by crews as the ice slowly moved along the river and a secondary dike was quickly constructed in one area. Water rose and then fell by close to six feet in some areas as the ice moved through. Two families were voluntarily evacuated. There has been no damage to homes in the area. The dikes at the nearby Hutterite colony were overtopped in a few places, but there was no significant damage. The ice jams have now moved out of the area and water levels are dropping.
Approximately 35 people and 25 pieces of heavy equipment worked to repair and reinforce the dikes and address any dike breaches caused as the ice jam moved through. Crews are continuing to work on the dikes today, they are being patrolled on a 24-hour basis by 16 staff and equipment is staying on-site in case it is needed. The dikes protect local farms in the area and the La Salle River watershed. The dikes, originally built in 1912 and reinforced in 1950 and 1997, were again reinforced early this spring. Without this reinforcement, the overtopping due to ice jamming would have been much more serious and difficult to contain.
The release of this ice jam is expected to cause a rise of one ft. in Winnipeg along the Assiniboine River as it moves east towards Winnipeg.
The Town of Melita has declared a state of local emergency. Work is ongoing on the Melita dike to protect the community.
Large flood tubes and gravel are being put in place around the Ashern area to protect against overland flooding. So far, no homes have been affected.
Overland flooding is affecting Fisher Branch and flood-tube barriers are set up. Larger flood-tube barriers are also being delivered this morning.
Overland flooding has also resulted in the evacuation of an additional three families from the RM of Ritchot because of a lack of safe road access.
A section of the west side of the ring dike at St-Lazare will be raised by approximately one ft. as a precautionary measure in preparation for high flows from the Qu’Appelle River expected later this week. A second peak is expected over the weekend along the Qu’Appelle River, which feeds into the Assiniboine River. Part of PTH 41 is expected to close because of high waters.
The sandbag machine in Brandon has been requested by the Town of Hartney and the machine is being relocated there today. Hartney is sandbagging because to assist with flood protection at a nearby Hutterite colony.
Repairs have been completed on the CP rail line near Brandon.
PTH 75 at Morris is closed as a result of floodwaters. Detours are signed and marked. At St. Jean Baptiste northbound, PTH 75 is now one lane because of water on the shoulder.
PR 200 near St. Adolphe may also close later today or tomorrow.
To date, 693 Manitobans have evacuated from their homes.
So far, 74 provincial roads have full or partial closures in place. Many municipal roads have reopened but there are still approximately 500 municipal roads still closed.
Volunteers interested in helping with flood-fighting efforts can go to the Volunteer Manitoba website at www.mbvolunteer.ca. The City of Winnipeg is co-ordinating volunteers through 311.
Flood Forecast Summary
Flood warnings are in place for the Pembina River downstream of La Rivière, the Souris River from the U.S.-Canadian border and downstream, and the Qu’Appelle River in the St-Lazare area.
Flood watches have been issued for the Assiniboine River downstream of Russell to Portage la Prairie and Fisher River.
High water advisories are in place for Plum Creek between Oak Lake and the town of Souris and the Whitemud River in Gladstone.
The Souris River is forecast to receive a second, prolonged crest this week. The second crest is forecast to reach similar or slightly higher water levels than the first crest.
Water levels on Pelican Lake have increased since yesterday to a level of 1,353.25 ft., and are forecast to continue increasing until April 23 to 27, but are predicted to stay below the flood stage of 1,354.0 ft. (wind eliminated).
A further operation of the Fairford River water control structure will be undertaken tomorrow due to the high level of Lake Manitoba. Outflows from Lake Manitoba will be increased from the current 10,150 cubic feet per second (cfs).
Flood protection activities are ongoing in The Pas area. Five pump stations are in continual operation in the Pasquia/Polder area, just southwest of The Pas. Two Amphibex machines have been in operation breaking ice along the Carrot River and are expected to begin icebreaking on the Saskatchewan River downstream of Ralls Island to continue icebreaking activities.
Due to high flows on the Assiniboine River, the Portage Diversion has been operated at or near maximum capacity for the last three days.
The floodway gates are not expected to be raised today. Water levels will be maintained approximately 0.4 ft. below natural conditions south of the floodway inlet. Conditions are being assessed on a continual basis.
Red River
The forecast for the Red River has been updated given recent precipitation events and the expected median forecasted inflow from the Pembina River. The upper level of the forecast range for the Red River remains the same, somewhat above 2009 levels for most points on the river.
Many smaller tributaries have crested and may experience a second, lower crest.
Water levels on the main stem of the Red River at Emerson increased 0.79 ft. since yesterday’s readings. Flows at Emerson this morning are 56,600 cfs. Flows at Emerson are expected to crest April 25 to 28.
Water levels at James Avenue in Winnipeg have increased 0.01 ft. since yesterday to 18.72 ft. Flows at James Avenue this morning are approximately 53,000 cfs.
Water levels upstream of the floodway inlet are 760.87 ft.
Assiniboine River
The Assiniboine River revised forecast predicts slightly higher flows from St-Lazare to Brandon. Today, forecasters are revising predicted inflows from the Souris River to assess impacts downstream of Brandon.
The high water advisory for the Assiniboine River downstream of Portage la Prairie has been removed.
Water levels on the Assiniboine River near St-Lazare are forecasted to reach 1,288.2 ft.
The Qu’Appelle River is forecast to peak between April 21 to 24 at approximately 12,000 cfs. Flows could reach record flood levels.
Flows in the Portage Diversion channel this morning are at 20,300 cfs and flows on the Assiniboine River downstream of the diversion are approximately 6,100 cfs. Inflow upstream of Portage la Prairie is 26,400 cfs.
Water levels in the Shellmouth Reservoir have increased 1.22 ft. since yesterday to 1,390.39 ft. The Shellmouth inflow is 6,560 cfs and outflow from the reservoir is 480 cfs.
Pembina River
Water levels on Pelican Lake have increased since yesterday to a level of 1,353.25 ft., and areforecast to continue increasing until April 23 to 27 but are predicted to stay below the flood stage of 1,354 ft. (wind eliminated).
Pelican Lake levels have exceeded 1,352.7 ft. and, as required in the operating rules in the Environment Act licence, the outlet is in operation to allow maximum outflow from the lake.
Levels on Rock Lake decreased 0.29 ft. since yesterday.
The flood warning for the Pembina River has moved to downstream of La Rivière.
Souris River
The Souris River at Westhope, N.D., near the Canadian border has exceeded record water level elevations.
The Souris River in Manitoba is forecast to receive a second crest this week. The second crest is forecast to reach similar or slightly higher water levels than the first crest. Significant flows from the U.S., local tributaries and the Turtle Mountains are expected to maintain a prolonged second crest and sustained high flows on the Souris River.
The Souris River continues to go over the banks at several locations. Since yesterday, water levels on the Souris River have increased 0.39 ft., 1.1 ft. and 0.47 ft. at Melita, Souris and Wawanesa, respectively.
Interlake Region
Water levels have decreased at all locations along both branches of the Fisher River.
The flood warning has been downgraded to a flood watch for the Fisher River area.
Other Major Waterways
The Saskatchewan and Carrot rivers at The Pas have increased approximately 0.44 ft. since yesterday. Icebreaking activities have occurred in the Carrot River near the Saskatchewan River confluence over the last few days.
The forecasted upper range water level for Lake Manitoba is 814 ft. (wind eliminated) and is expected to reach its peak elevation by mid-May. The forecasted upper range water level for Lake St. Martin is 804.4 ft. (wind eliminated) and is expected to reach its peak elevation by mid-June. The forecasted upper range water level for Lake Winnipeg is 716.1 ft. (wind eliminated) and is expected to reach its peak elevation by late June. The forecasted upper range water level for Red Deer Lake is 864.5 ft. (wind eliminated) and is expected to reach its peak elevation by late April. The forecasted upper range of water level elevation for Lake Winnipegosis is 834 ft. (wind eliminated) and is expected to reach its peak elevation by early June.
Rivers and creeks in the Parkland region are receding, but some streams impacted by high elevation snowmelt are forecast to receive a second, lower crest.
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) and on Twitter by following @MBGov.
