Flood warnings have been issued for the Souris River from Melita and all downstream reaches. The warnings include the Qu’Appelle River in the St-Lazare area, the Assiniboine River downstream of Shellmouth Bridge to Portage la Prairie, Pipestone Creek (all reaches), Oak Lake and Plum Lakes, and Plum Creek to the Souris River including the town of Souris.
Flood watches have been issued for the Saskatchewan River near Ralls Island and the Carrot River, all reaches in Manitoba.
A high water advisory is in place for the Assiniboine River downstream of Portage la Prairie.
The Red River is near crest in Letellier today, with a water level of 784.15 feet, 1.05 ft. below the 2009 crest.
Water levels at James Avenue in Winnipeg have decreased 0.12 ft. since yesterday to 18.36 ft. Flows at James Avenue this morning are approximately 51,800 cubic feet per second (cfs). Flows on the Assiniboine River will be increasing in the upcoming days.
Water levels on the Shellmouth Reservoir have increased by 1.22 ft. since yesterday to 1,406.6 ft., The reservoir is approximately two ft. from spillway elevation, with potential for flows over the spillway in one to two days. Inflow into the Shellmouth Reservoir is 14,000 cfs. Outflows are approximately 5,300 cfs today, the maximum possible with current reservoir levels.
The Shellmouth Reservoir is forecast to receive near record volumes of water from upstream waterways this spring. Record flows will be the equivalent of twice the volume of the reservoir. It is projected the reservoir will receive over 750,000 acre feet of water this spring (over 370,000 Olympic swimming pools), almost twice the volume of the reservoir.
The Shellmouth Reservoir protects homes and communities along the Assiniboine River by reducing the flood peak and amount of flooded land. Without this protection, water levels today in St-Lazare would be 2.8 ft. higher; in the Miniota area, 3.6 ft. higher; and in Brandon, four ft. higher.
It is anticipated that inflows will continue to increase at the Portage Reservoir and remain high for approximately 10 days. During this prolonged crest, flows on the Portage Diversion channel will be kept near maximum capacity, then be slowly lowered once the crest period has passed.
Water levels on the Saskatchewan River decreased by 0.8 ft. in around The Pas since yesterday. Water levels on the downstream reaches of the Carrot River decreased by approximately 0.7 ft. since yesterday.
Flood Response
In St. Adolphe, the highways are now ramped on the south side at PR 200 and PR 210 has been ramped on the east side of the community, local access only is available.
Dikes along flooded streams and rivers should remain temporarily in place even after rivers have crested. Water levels are expected to remain high for several weeks, with only gradual drops. A major storm could also result in higher water flows.
The highway has been reopened on PTH 30 at Gretna. The border crossing has also reopened.
There are currently 1,954 people evacuated from their homes, largely due to loss of safe road access. These numbers include 107 people evacuated from the RM of Morris, 181 from the
RM of Ritchot, 665 from the Peguis First Nation, 872 from the Roseau River First Nation and five from the Sioux Valley First Nation. The total number includes people who may have been evacuated from their homes for a few days because of losing road access.
Red River
The Red River is closely following the lower range of the forecast peak for most points in Manitoba. The Red River is near crest in Letellier today, with a water level of 784.15 ft., 1.05 ft. below the 2009 crest.
Water levels just upstream of the floodway inlet are 763.23 ft., with flows of 73,000 cfs. Flows in the floodway are approximately 32,000 cfs. Flows above the floodway inlet will steadily increase until the forecast peak occurs between April 30 and May 3.
Water levels at James Avenue in Winnipeg have decreased 0.12 ft. since yesterday to 18.36 ft. Flows at James Avenue this morning were approximately 51,800 cfs. Flows on the Assiniboine River will be increasing in the upcoming days.
Assiniboine River
Prolonged high flows are forecast for the Assiniboine River for approximately 10 days.
Water levels on the Assiniboine River at the Brandon First Street Bridge are 1,176.43 ft., increasing 0.62 ft. since yesterday. Water levels at Brandon will continue to increase as it approaches crest between April 29 to May 3.
Flows in the Portage Diversion channel this morning were near channel capacity at 24,000 cfs. Flows on the Assiniboine River downstream of the diversion are approximately 12,200 cfs and will be increased to 14,000 cfs within the next day. Inflow upstream of Portage la Prairie is 36,200 cfs.
Souris River
Tributary flows from Pipestone Creek into Oak Lake had declined this morning. Despite the decrease in flows, high flows and higher water elevations will continue along the Plum Creek due to the significant volume of water in the Oak-Plum lake system.
Water levels on the Souris River at the town of Souris crested yesterday and decreased by 0.43 ft.
Water levels on the Souris River near Wawanesa are 1,157.93 ft., increasing 0.01 ft. since yesterday. The Souris River is forecast to crest in Wawanesa within the next few days and remain high for three to four days.
The flood warning for the Souris River from the U.S.-Canadian border and all reaches downstream has been moved downstream to include Melita and all downstream reaches.
Northern Rivers and Lakes
Water levels on the Saskatchewan River have decreased by 0.8 ft. around The Pas since yesterday. Water levels on the downstream reaches of the Carrot River have decreased by approximately 0.7 ft. since yesterday.
Other Major Waterways
Lake Manitoba water levels have risen to 813.59 ft. Outflows from Lake Manitoba are 10,700 cfs today. The Fairford Dam, at the outlet of Lake Manitoba, is operating at full capacity, but ice movement in the vicinity of the dam has temporarily reduced flows.
Water levels on Lake Winnipeg at Gimli are 715.34 ft., increasing 0.16 ft. since yesterday.
Today’s risk of ice pileup on the shorelines of major lakes in Manitoba is low.
For more information, see www.manitoba.ca/flooding. The most up-to-date highway information is at www.gov.mb.ca/mit/roadinfo or 1-877-MBRoads (1-877-627-6237) and on Twitter by following @MBGov.
