Due to slowly declining flows along the Assiniboine River, the controlled release channel at the Hoop and Holler Bend near Portage la Prairie is now permanently closed. The Portage Diversion is functioning within its design capacity and an inflow increase from future heavy rainstorms would be accommodated by the diversion and Assiniboine River downstream.
Dike protection can now be removed from properties that did not see any flood waters from the controlled release. Property owners can remove sandbags but large flood-barrier tubes need to be left intact for professional crews to remove. A mandatory evacuation remains in place for three homes and residents are advised to keep dikes in place.
The Rural Municipality of Portage la Prairie has ended a mandatory evacuation for 15 residences in the vicinity of the Portage Diversion.
A precautionary voluntary evacuation affecting approximately 30 permanent residences in the Delta Beach area, east and west side, remains in effect.
As part of the Building and Recovery Action Plan, provincial teams will be visiting residents in the controlled release area about the compensation program. The initial cheques to advance assistance will be based on the visits.
Compensation will also be provided to property owners along the Assiniboine Dikes reinforcement work sites.
Wind setup and wave action on Lake Manitoba continue to create challenges for several south basin municipalities including Lakeview, Westbourne, Portage la Prairie, Woodlands and St. Laurent. Road access is impacted in some areas.
Sandbagging continues around Lake Manitoba farms, residences, cottages and communities. Volunteers are needed in a number of lakefront areas to help home and cottage owners sandbag properties. Volunteers are asked to contact:
• RM of St. Laurent, 204-646-2259.
• RM of Siglunes, 204-768-2641.
• RM of Grahamdale, 204-768-2858.
Used sandbags that have had any contact with floodwaters may be contaminated and should not be reused, and must be disposed of properly in a landfill or other facility arranged by the local municipality. Plans are being developed to possibly redistribute used, dry sandbags to areas in need.
To date, provincial resources sent to 15 municipalities or First Nations around the Lake Manitoba area include:
• approximately 955,000 sandbags (another 105,000 available to be filled);
• 3,260 flood tubes;
• 820 flood barriers;
• 350 super sandbags;
• 50 truckloads of sand;
• five sandbag-making machines; and
• four large pumps.
There are currently 2,922 Manitobans evacuated from their homes.
Partial ring dike closures in the Red River Valley are in the process of being removed and evacuees are in the process of returning home. At this time, approximately 17 people remain out of their homes in the Red River Valley.
Canadian Forces personnel continue to remain on stand by at Canadian Forces Base Shilo to provide flood-fighting support to the province.
Flood Forecast
Water levels on the Assiniboine River are declining at all points upstream of Portage la Prairie.
Flood warnings remain in place for the Assiniboine River at all points downstream of the Shellmouth Dam; Pipestone Creek, all reaches; Oak Lake and Plum Lakes; Plum Creek to the Souris River (including the town of Souris); and the Qu’Appelle River in the St-Lazare area.
High water advisories remain in place for all major lakes in Manitoba and the Souris River.
Assiniboine River
Water levels on the Qu’Appelle River at Welby are 16.74 ft. today, decreasing 0.01 ft. since yesterday.
Water levels on the Shellmouth Reservoir are 1,412.54 ft., decreasing 0.17 ft. since yesterday. Inflow into the Shellmouth Reservoir is 5,510 cfs and outflow is 6,765 cfs today.
Water levels on the Assiniboine River at the First Street Bridge in Brandon are 1,178.67 ft., decreasing 0.53 ft. since yesterday. Flows at the First Street Bridge in Brandon were 22,200 cfs this morning.
Water levels on the Assiniboine River at the First Street Bridge in Brandon have decreased over 3.7 ft. since the peak on May 15.
Inflow upstream of Portage la Prairie has decreased to 40,500 cfs today. Flows in the Portage Diversion channel are at 22,500 cfs. Flows on the Assiniboine River at the Portage Reservoir control gates are 18,000 cfs and will be decreased to 15,000 cfs in gradual steps from June 1 to June 15. Water levels will be maintained at 15,000 cfs until Portage Diversion flows have minimized. This reduction in Assiniboine River flows is necessary to minimize dike failure along the Assiniboine River.
Souris River
Water levels on the Souris River at Wawanesa decreased 0.2 ft. since yesterday to 1,155.34 ft. today.
Saskatchewan River
The Saskatchewan River reached 856.23 ft at its peak at Ralls Island near The Pas on April 23. After this peak, water levels declined until May 6, then slowly increased to the current water level of 853.17 ft, with a flow of 61,500 cfs today. Outflows from Tobin Lake have been declining for the past few days and it is anticipated that water levels on the Saskatchewan River in Manitoba will begin to decrease as well.
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.
