Starting at 5:30 p.m. yesterday and overnight, adjustments were made to lower the floodway gates to switch over from operating with ice-influenced natural levels to operating with open water natural levels.
This operation normalized floodway operations to comply with the Environment Act licence for the floodway to keep natural levels south of the floodway inlet, except when emergency conditions exist in Winnipeg.
The peak level from this operation will be close to the forecasted peak of 6.2 metres (20.5 feet) at James Avenue and will be experienced by late this afternoon. River levels are already falling in the south end of the city and are expected to decline in downtown Winnipeg to 5.6 m (18.5 ft.) by this evening.
There are currently residents being rescued from the Breezy Point area by emergency responders. The RM of St. Andrews has declared a mandatory evacuation of residents in the area. The RM had recommended that residents evacuate from Breezy Point on Friday. The movement of an ice jam in the area caused water levels to rise.
There has been significant activity in the flood zone overnight.
