The Red River Floodway will be operated at approximately 9 a.m. this morning to lower water levels in the city of Winnipeg. The operation will follow rule one for floodway operations, meaning river levels will be held below the state of nature upstream or south of the floodway gates. As the Red River will remain within its banks, properties and homes both upstream and downstream of the floodway inlet are not expected to be affected by higher Red River flows. The flow into the Red River floodway today was 150 cubic feet per second (cfs) and the total flow at the floodway inlet was 31,950 cfs. The flow upstream of the floodway inlet control structure is forecast to reach around 32,500 cfs between today and July 8.
Dikes along the Souris River at Melita, Hartney, Souris and Wawanesa are being monitored and maintained over the next week as the crest of the Souris River moves through Manitoba. The river crested in Souris yesterday evening.
The Souris Health Centre has resumed full acute-care and emergency-room services.
Work is nearly complete on the dike at Ralls Island on the Saskatchewan River in The Pas. Additional work is nearly complete on properties along the Saskatchewan River on the Opaskwayak Cree Nation and along the Carrot River.
Flood waters should be considered contaminated and anyone working around them should take precautions, particularly when addressing basement flooding. Rubber boots, coveralls and protective gloves are recommended. Water may be ground seepage or it may be river water which has been contaminated by sewage. Avoid touching eyes and mouth after hands have been in flood water. Wash hands well with warm water and soap, especially before eating. Information about mould and cleaning up after flooding can be found at www.gov.mb.ca/flooding/factsheets.html.
The scale, scope and ongoing nature of this year’s flood can be very challenging for affected Manitoba families. There are resources to help deal with stress and anxiety which result from a crisis situation such as this flood. Resources include Manitoba Farm and Rural Support Services 1-866-367-3276 (1-866-FOR-FARM) (toll-free); Klinic Community Health Centre 24-hour crisis line 786-8686 in Winnipeg or 1-888-322-3019 (toll-free); and Health Links-Info Santé which can help find resources through local regional health authorities or community mental-health services offices at 788-8200 in Winnipeg or 1-888-315-9257 (toll-free). Additional information and tips are available at www.gov.mb.ca/flooding/stressinfo.html.
Flood Forecast Summary
Souris River
The Souris River forecast, taking into consideration the July 4 flow measurement at Souris and weather conditions within Manitoba, is shown in the attached table.
The Plum Creek at Souris decreased 0.4 feet since yesterday to 1,373 ft. A flood warning for all reaches of Pipestone Creek and downstream into the Oak and Plum Lake system, and on Plum Creek to the Souris River including the town of Souris remains in effect.
Assiniboine River
The Assiniboine River forecast reflects the lower forecast Souris River crests. Inflow upstream of Portage la Prairie has begun to rise in response to the large flows from the Souris River basin. The inflow into Portage la Prairie is forecast to reach 43,000 to 44,000 cfs between July 8 and 14.
The Shellmouth Reservoir was operated yesterday to increase the conduit outflow by 600 cfs to 2,700 cfs. No operation will be made today and operations will be reassessed tomorrow.
The current operation of the Portage Diversion is lowering water levels in the city of Winnipeg by about four feet.
Red River
Water levels on the Red River at James Avenue in Winnipeg have increased by 0.06 ft. since yesterday to 17.55 ft. Flows at James Avenue this morning were approximately 50,300 cfs. A crest occurred on June 28 in Winnipeg due to high local tributary flows.
Saskatchewan and Carrot Rivers
Water levels on the Saskatchewan River at The Pas increased 0.04 ft. since yesterday to 856.54 ft, with a flow of 80,500 cfs. The forecast range for The Pas remains at 858 to 859.3 ft. with the peak occurring between July 7 and 12. The observed crest will likely be nearer the lower end of the forecast due to recent favourable weather and the short-term forecast. The water levels are forecast to steadily rise from current levels to reach the forecast peak. The water level stage of 859.3 ft. corresponds to the 100-year flood event for the Saskatchewan River at The Pas.
The forecast peak water levels on the Carrot River will be affected by the peak water level on the Saskatchewan River, from the downstream end of the Carrot River to about mile 18. The forecast peak water levels in that portion of the Carrot River are 859.9 to 861.2 ft., expected to occur between July 7 and 11. Upstream of mile 18, the forecast peak is expected to be somewhat below the spring peak in April.
Lakes
The wind-eliminated forecasted levels for the lakes are as follows and are weather dependant:
• Lake Winnipeg: 717 ft. around mid-July. (Source: Manitoba Hydro)
• Lake Winnipegosis: between 835 and 835.5 ft.
• Lake Pineimuta: between 809.3 and 809.6 ft. around the end of July.
• Lake Manitoba: between 817.7 and 817.8 ft. around the end of July.
• Lake St. Martin: between 806.3 and 806.4 ft. around mid-August.
• Dauphin Lake: crested at 860 ft. between June 18 and 21.
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.
