A flood warning has been issued for the Dauphin Lake Basin including the Parkland region and Duck Mountains. Snowpack from the recent storm remains significant in the Duck Mountains and Parkland region. Once the snow melts, it is anticipated water levels in local streams will have an additional crest.
Water levels on the Turtle River increased four feet since yesterday as a result of snowmelt run-off from the Riding Mountain area. Significant water level rises have occurred on other Dauphin Lake tributaries, such as the Valley, Vermillion and Ochre rivers and Wilson Creek.
Snow from the recent storm remains significant in the Duck Mountains and Parkland region. Measurements from Madge Lake in Saskatchewan indicate there is still 70 millimetres of water‑equivalent snowpack. Once this snowpack melts, it is anticipated water levels in local streams will experience an additional crest.
The recent storm resulted in significant snow accumulation in the lower Qu’Appelle River watershed, Riding Mountain National Park and north to the Duck Mountain area. Significant temperature rises in the last few days will cause significant snowmelt and run-off into the Assiniboine and Dauphin rivers basin streams.
Other flood warnings have been issued for the Souris River from Melita and all downstream reaches; the Assiniboine River downstream of Shellmouth Bridge to Portage la Prairie; the Pipestone Creek, all reaches; Oak Lake and Plum Lakes; and Plum Creek to the Souris River (including the town of Souris).
Flood watches are in place for the Assiniboine River downstream of Portage la Prairie and the Qu’Appelle River in the St-Lazare area.
Overland flooding is still expected in areas that received significant precipitation.
Flood Response
The Assiniboine River dikes are being patrolled and monitored by provincial staff to ensure the integrity of the dikes during peak flows from the river. Members of the public should not be on or around the dikes. Quads, ATVs or other vehicles could cause significant damage to the dikes and put nearby homes at risk.
Many rivers are cresting now and flood-fighting equipment and supplies continue to be moved and used where required. For the safety of workers, members of the public and the continued safety of communities, people are advised to stay clear of areas where equipment is working to maintain flood-protection systems.
Rural municipalities around Dauphin Lake are being alerted to potential flooding as the lake level rises to flood stage. Sandbagging around cottages and other properties may be required.
A lift station in Eriksdale has been overwhelmed, resulting in flooding of some basements in the community. Pumps are working to address the issue and flooding is being assessed, particularly at the hospital and personal-care home.
Three homes have experienced basement flooding caused by groundwater seepage. Two homes east of Gladstone are located in a low-lying area and one home along PTH 26 was affected. All had sandbag and flood barrier-tube dikes.
Repairs are being made to a section of the dike that was overtopped at Oak Lake over the weekend. Damage appears to be minimal, affecting the decks of some cottages on the lake.
There are 1,827 people evacuated from their homes, largely due to loss of road access. There are 56 people evacuated from the RM of Montcalm, 119 from the RM of Morris, 241 from the RM of Ritchot, 739 from the Roseau First Nation, 575 from the Peguis First Nation, with 87 Peguis residents returning home yesterday. There have been additional evacuations across several areas of southern Manitoba.
There are 89 provincial roads affected by flooding with 60 closed. There are approximately 660 municipal roads closed.
Red River
The Red River in Winnipeg is near crest and will likely crest between May 4 and 5 at 19.5 ft. at James Avenue. Assiniboine River water levels are expected to increase for the next two days, prolonging the crest in Winnipeg. The Assiniboine River will stabilize at this level for an extended period of time. Despite the constant flows from the Assiniboine River, flows on the Red River will decrease and will begin declining after two days.
Water levels at James Avenue in Winnipeg have increased 0.21 ft. since yesterday to 19.49 ft. Flows at James Avenue this morning were approximately 58,300 cubic feet per second (cfs). In the absence of flood-protection works, water levels at James Avenue would have been 30.9 ft. or approximately 11.4 ft. higher than current levels. Current flows without flood protection would be 112,700 cfs, which is higher than peak natural flows at James Avenue in 1950, 1979 and 1996.
Water levels just south of the floodway inlet are 763.99 ft., with flows of 75,000 cfs. Flows in the floodway are approximately 34,800 cfs.
Water levels on the Red River downstream of Winnipeg decreased at all points today, down from the significant increases over the weekend caused by the north winds moving water from Lake Winnipeg into the river.
Assiniboine River
Water levels on the Shellmouth Reservoir increased by 0.51 ft. since yesterday to 1,412.88 ft. Inflows into the Shellmouth Reservoir are approximately 14,430 cfs. The Shellmouth Dam will be operated to limit outflows to 10,000 cfs today and for the next few days.
Water levels on the Assiniboine River at the First Street Bridge in Brandon are 1,179.05 ft., decreasing 0.21 ft. since yesterday. Despite this recent decrease, water levels at Brandon will continue to increase as they approach the prolonged crest, with the forecast peak to occur between May 11 to 13.
Flows in the Portage Diversion channel this morning are at 21,900 cfs. Inflows upstream of Portage la Prairie are 39,900 cfs, which is nearly as high the previous crest. Flows on the Assiniboine River downstream of the diversion will be held at 18,000 cfs for the next few days.
Water levels in the Lido Plage area are expected to increase approximately one foot and then hold at that level until the Assiniboine River recedes.
As a result of the recent storm, there is over one foot of snowpack in the upper Qu’Appelle watershed. Run-off from this snowpack will be significant due to the sharp increase in temperatures, resulting in significant rises on the Qu’Appelle River at St-Lazare. Forecasters are reassessing conditions today to better predict water level rises.
Souris River
The precipitation from the recent storm has resulted in increased flows in the Souris River. Water levels at Melita rose to 1,410.40 ft., an increase of 0.46 ft. Despite this increase, any new crests for the Souris River are expected to be below recent peak levels.
Plum Creek, a western tributary of the Souris River, has crested.
Other Major Waterways
Lake Manitoba water levels have risen to 813.9 ft., increasing 0.02 ft since yesterday. Outflows from Lake Manitoba were recorded at 12,300 cfs late yesterday. The Fairford Dam, at the outlet of Lake Manitoba, is operating at full capacity.
The risk of ice pileup is medium on Lake Winnipeg and Lake Manitoba and low on Dauphin Lake, Lake Winnipegosis, Lake St. Martin, Pelican, Rock and Red Deer lakes and North, East and West Shoal Lakes.
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.
