Birdtail Creek – Update
Manitoba Infrastructure and Transportation (MIT) staff will undertake a small, controlled breach at the failing embankment located upstream of Birdtail Creek. The intent is to safely draw down as much as five feet of water to reduce pressure on the embankment. An estimated flow of between 100 and 200 cubic feet per second is expected to move gradually, reaching PTH 45 in less than 30 minutes.
The work was planned in consultation with the RM and Town of Rossburn, the Town of Birtle and the Waywayseecappo First Nation.
Efforts to establish pumping operations are also continuing at the site. Together, pumping and a controlled breach will help lower water levels and protect a weak seam along the embankment. This may reduce the overall risk of embankment failure.
The frozen culvert at the base of the embankment is slowly opening and some water is beginning to flow through the culvert.
A frozen box culvert at the base of the embankment has been holding back a significant amount of water near PTH 45. Portions of the embankment have started to slide over the last three days, prompting concerns about flash flooding along Birdtail Creek.
As a result, communities downstream of the embankment have evacuated residents in low-lying areas and taken steps to protect homes and critical infrastructure.
The controlled breach and pumping, plus the slow flows from the culvert combined are expected to reduce the risk of embankment failure. However, risk of embankment failure is still high until water levels are drawn down significantly.
The situation is being monitored closely and will be updated as conditions change.
MIT is also delivering 400 super sandbags and 2,000 sandbags to the Waywayseecappo First Nation tonight to support flood-proofing efforts in the community.
