Water levels on rivers and lakes, including Lake Winnipeg, have crested in all areas of the province with the exception of Lake Manitoba, Lake Pineimuta and Lake St. Martin which are near crest. However, a high water advisory remains in effect for all major lakes in Manitoba, the Saskatchewan River and the downstream reach of the Carrot River.
High winds can still threaten homes and cottages on Manitoba lakes. Daily wind set-up alerts will continue to be issued by Manitoba Water Stewardship for Lake Manitoba, Lake Winnipegosis, Dauphin Lake, Lake St. Martin, Oak Lake and the South Basin of Lake Winnipeg.
Levels on the Red River inside the city of Winnipeg have been dropping and the floodway operation is winding down.
Manitoba Emergency Measures Organization has informed all affected communities to not remove any of the flood protection they have in place and to continue to monitor and assess their situation. Once the flood threat has completely passed, and in consultation with provincial officials, super sandbags and other temporary flood-prevention measures can be removed. This will be done gradually as equipment is available and will be co-ordinated with staff from Manitoba Infrastructure and Transportation.
As water levels decline and it is safe to do so, RMs make the decision about when evacuees can return to their homes. There are currently 2,933 registered evacuees but that number will begin to decline as evacuation orders are lifted and people return to their homes.
A provincial state of emergency remains in effect to allow flood-protection efforts in the Lake St. Martin area.
Starting today, provincial officials will hold bi-weekly conference calls with municipalities to ensure they have access to information and guidance as they enter the flood recovery phase. These calls will give municipal officials access to experts on issues like post-flood compensation programs, evacuee services, clean-up and mould concerns, well restoration and future flood proofing.
Repairs are complete around the bridge on PTH 3 near Melita and it has been reopened to traffic.
Flows on the Assiniboine River upstream of Portage la Prairie peaked at 42,000 cubic feet per second (cfs) on July 9 and were reduced by 1,000 cfs downstream of Portage la Prairie on Monday, relieving some of the pressure on the dikes along the river.
As of 9:30 a.m. today, there were approximately 470 municipal and provincial road closures in Manitoba.
The extended levels of high water also mean extra caution is advised when swimming or boating. In addition to the high water hiding hazards, the spring flooding may have made riverbanks unstable. The current in many lakes and rivers could be much stronger than normal so extra caution is advised.
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
Lakes
The wind-eliminated forecast levels for the lakes are as follows and are weather dependant:
• Lake Winnipeg: peaked at 716.93 feet on July 7. (Source: Manitoba Hydro)
• Lake Winnipegosis: peaked at 834.83 ft. between July 1 and 3.
• Lake Pineimuta: between 809 and 809.3 ft. around the end of July.
• Lake Manitoba: between 817.3 and 817.5 ft. around the third week of July.
• Lake St. Martin: between 805.9 and 806.1 ft. around the beginning of August.
• Dauphin Lake: peaked at 860.7 ft. between June 18 and 21.
Due to the hot weather Manitoba has been experiencing, evaporation losses on Lake Manitoba may be greater than considered in the forecast. Lake Manitoba water levels could continue to rise as the combined inflow from Portage Diversion and the Waterhen River is still greater than the outflow through the Fairford River. Manitoba Water Stewardship is closely monitoring the lake as it may be near peak if the hot, dry weather conditions continue. Any change to the Lake Manitoba forecast will also affect the forecasts for Lake Pineimuta and Lake St. Martin.
Assiniboine River
The Assiniboine River upstream of Portage la Prairie is forecast to decline by about 1,000 cfs to 1,500 cfs per day. Manitoba Water Stewardship’s preliminary outlook expects the diversion to remain in operation until the first week of August. The inflow into Portage la Prairie is currently at 34,580 cfs, with 16,860 cfs on the river downstream and 17,720 cfs in the diversion channel.
The water level on the Shellmouth Reservoir declined by 0.24 ft. to 1,407.14 ft. today. The inflow into the reservoir is 1,950 cfs and the outflow has remained constant with the conduit flow at 3,700 cfs and no flow over the spillway this week as there have been no operations made.
Souris River
The Souris River continues to decline in Manitoba.
Due to the significant, but isolated rainfall received since yesterday in some parts of the Souris River basin, smaller tributaries have seen minor rises but are either near crested or have crested. Medora and Antler River have increased by 0.4 ft. and 0.2 ft., respectively. No significant impact has occurred on the main stem of the Souris River in Manitoba.
Saskatchewan and Carrot Rivers
The Saskatchewan River at The Pas peaked yesterday at 856.72 ft. Water levels on the Saskatchewan River at The Pas decreased 0.04 ft. since yesterday to 856.68 ft, with a flow of 81,600 cfs. The water levels are forecast to remain high for approximately one week before a gradual recession of levels begins.
The water levels on the Carrot River are affected by the peak water level on the Saskatchewan River, from the downstream end of the Carrot River to about Mile 18. As the Saskatchewan River crested yesterday, water levels on the Carrot River have also crested and begun a gradual decline.
Red River
Water levels on the Red River at James Avenue in Winnipeg are declining and the floodway gates are slowly being lowered. This process will take two to three days as the reduction in water levels into the floodway will be maintained at a rate of less than a foot a day to ensure there are no problems with riverbank stability.
Elevations at the floodway inlet peaked on July 10 at 752.54 ft. Manitoba Water Stewardship will monitor future weather forecasts for extreme precipitation events that may require operation of the floodway under Rule 4, summer operation, to reduce the risk of sewer backup and basement flooding in the city of Winnipeg.
