Posted on 04/18/2009, 8:18 am, by mySteinbach

The Manitoba government is proceeding with the enhancement of a permanent ring dike in Melita in order to mitigate against rising flood waters today and into the future, Premier Gary Doer announced.
 
“Investing in long-term flood prevention simply makes sense,” said Doer. “Over the last 10 years we have, together with the federal government, made significant investments in flood prevention across Manitoba, and today we are continuing these investments by enhancing permanent diking for the town of Melita.”
 
Flood waters from the Souris River are threatening Melita, in the southwestern corner of Manitoba. To address this threat, the existing ring dike in Melita will be enhanced to provide a 1999 plus 0.6 metres (two feet) level of protection. The cost of enhancing the permanent dike is estimated at about $500,000.
 
“Enhancing the dike in Melita on a permanent basis makes more sense than on a temporary basis,” said Doer. “A permanent enhancement will give the dike a more secure base and a more sustainable slope which will provide greater protection over a longer term to the residents of Melita.”