Manitoba’s Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) team is now deployed in the RMs of St. Laurent and Woodlands to assist property owners to access their properties for inspection and to collect possessions.
A total of 2,527 Manitobans have evacuated from their homes and are registered with the Canadian Red Cross and the Manitoba Association of Native Fire Fighters (MANFF). Four additional people were evacuated from the RM of Alonsa yesterday, bringing the total number of evacuees to 36.
There are approximately 623 municipal and provincial road closures.
The RM of St. Laurent is once again operating a single location recovery assistance centre for property owners tomorrow and Sunday, June 19 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day. This recovery assistance centre is located at the Royal Canadian Legion on PTH 6 in St. Laurent, with representation from Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives, the Red Cross, Manitoba Agricultural Service Corporation, Service Canada, the Interlake Regional Health Authority Mental Health Crisis Unit and the RM of St. Laurent to answer questions and provide resources.
Approximately 28 federal and provincial government volunteers are working today in the Lundar Beach area in the RM of Coldwell to help sandbag at-risk properties.
Flood Forecast Summary
All regions of Manitoba received little to no precipitation on Thursday. Heavy rains are forecast for south and central Saskatchewan. Some of the run-off will make its way into the Assiniboine and Souris rivers watershed; impacts of this run-off will be assessed.
Dikes are being reinforced in the town of Souris and residents along the Souris River are advised to maintain and monitor existing dikes and other flood-protection systems.
Wind set-up is expected to be moderate for the west shore of all reported lakes today including communities such as Sandy Bay, Meadow Portage, Spence Lake, Benyks Point, Winnipegosis and Gimli.
Water levels on the Saskatchewan River at The Pas increased 0.07 feet since yesterday to 854.31 ft., with a flow of 65,000 cubic feet per second (cfs). Water levels are expected to reach 855.5 to 857 ft. by late June, based on the current Saskatchewan River flows. However, the forecast level is being reviewed due to the large amount of rainfall, 50 mm, received and future forecast rainfall in Alberta, as it may result in an increase in the Saskatchewan River flows. The reinforcement of existing dikes and the building of permanent dikes has been completed to the hundred-year flood level along the river.
Lakes
Forecasts for the lakes are as follows and are weather dependant:
• Lake Winnipeg: 716.8 ft. around mid-July. (Source: Manitoba Hydro) Lake Winnipegosis: between 835 and 835.5 ft.
• Lake Pineimuta: between 809 and 809.3 ft. around mid-July.
• Lake Manitoba: between 817.3 and 817.5 ft. around mid-July.
• Lake St. Martin: between 806 and 806.2 ft. around mid-August.
• Dauphin Lake: between 860.6 and 861.2 ft. around the end of June.
Lake inundation maps are available at www.manitoba.ca/flood, as are current water levels, wave uprush illustrations, flood reports and flood sheets.
The estimated outflow from the Fairford River water control structure was 19,900 cfs today. The structure continues to operate at full capacity due to the high level of Lake Manitoba.
Water levels on Rock Lake increased 0.05 ft. since yesterday to 1,335.9 ft. today. The outlet at Pelican Lake is operating at near full capacity.
Lake levels at Oak and Plum Lake are high and continue to contribute high flows to Plum Creek.
A high water advisory is in effect for all major lakes in Manitoba.
Assiniboine River
A revised forecast has been developed for the Assiniboine River due to a significant reduction in the forecast precipitation. The Assiniboine River forecast is based on rainfall received over the last few days and rain in the current forecast up to June 20 and indicates:
• Water levels at Miniota are forecast to be sustained at current levels for an extended period of time, then gradually begin to decline in the last week of June.
• Water levels at the First Street Bridge in Brandon are forecast to be sustained at the current level until June 21, then begin a gradual decline.
• Flows at the Portage la Prairie Reservoir are forecast to reach between 46,000 and 47,000 cfs by June 20 to 22.
The flood watch for the Qu’Appelle River in the St-Lazare area remains in effect. Water levels on the Qu’Appellle River have decreased by 0.1 ft. since yesterday at 16.47 ft., with a flow of 5,430 cfs.
Water levels on the Shellmouth Reservoir are 1,407.46 ft., decreasing 0.04 ft. since yesterday. Inflow into the Shellmouth Reservoir is 2,480 cfs and outflow is 3,280 cfs today.
Water levels on the Assiniboine River at the First Street Bridge in Brandon are at 1,178.46 ft., increasing 0.17 ft. since yesterday. Flows at the First Street Bridge are estimated to be 21,100 cfs.
Inflow upstream of Portage la Prairie is 41,890 cfs. Flows in the Portage Diversion channel are 23,910 cfs. Flows on the Assiniboine River at the Portage Reservoir control gates are 17,980 cfs.
Water levels in the Baie St. Paul area are 799.99 ft., increasing 0.01 ft. since yesterday.
The flood warning for the Assiniboine River at all points downstream of the Shellmouth Dam remains in effect.
Souris River
A revised forecast has been developed for the Souris River. The forecast is based on rainfall received over the last few days and rain in the current forecast up to June 20 and indicates:
• Water levels at all locations along the Souris River, including Melita, Wawanesa, and Souris, are forecast to recede very slowly for the next few days, then begin a faster decline, depending on future weather forecasts.
The gauge at Wawanesa was hit by lightning yesterday and it is still being repaired.
Water levels at Wawanesa are at 1,159.73 ft. with a flow of 22,500 cfs, based on a metering taken today. Water levels at the town of Souris decreased 0.9 ft. since yesterday to 1,360.2 ft. today.
As a result of the heavy rains, the Souris River at the town of Souris reached an instantaneous peak of 1,361.13 ft. on June 15, which is 0.27 ft. above the previous peak on June 9 and 1.27 ft. above the previous peak on April 23.
Plum Creek decreased 0.81 ft. since yesterday to 1,376.04 ft.
A flood warning for all reaches of Pipestone Creek and downstream into the Oak and Plum Lake system, then on Plum Creek to the Souris River including the town of Souris remains in effect.
The flood warning for the Souris River remains in effect.
Other Waterways
Water levels on the Saskatchewan River at The Pas increased 0.07 ft. since yesterday to 854.31 ft., with a flow of 65,000 cfs. Water levels are expected to reach 855.5 to 857 ft. by late June, based on the current Saskatchewan River flows. However, the forecast level is being reviewed due to the large amount of rainfall (50 mm) received and future forecast rainfall in Alberta, as it may result in an increase in the Saskatchewan River flows. The reinforcement of existing dikes and the building of permanent dikes is continuing.
The estimated outflow from the Fairford River water control structure is 19,900 cfs today. The structure continues to operate at full capacity due to the high level of Lake Manitoba.
Water levels on Rock Lake increased 0.05 ft. since yesterday to 1,335.9 ft. today. The outlet at Pelican Lake is operating at full capacity.
Water levels on the Red River at James Avenue in Winnipeg have decreased 0.13 ft. since yesterday to 14.69 ft. Flows at James Avenue this morning were approximately 39,000 cfs.
