Manitoba Water Stewardship advises that rain over the weekend ranged from 75 to 110 millimetres (2.9 to 4.3 inches) in most areas from the Red River east to the Ontario boundary. The eastern Interlake and western portions of the Red River Valley received 50 to 75 mm (1.9 to 2.9 in.). The heavy rain extended as far north as Berens River. The U.S. portion of the Red River Valley from just south of Grand Forks to the Manitoba border received 50 to 100 mm (1.9 to 4.3 in.). The Assiniboine and Pembina river watersheds, the Westman area and the western Interlake received generally less than 25 mm (0.9 in.) of rain. A storm of this magnitude and covering such a large area is a rare event for this time of year.
Significant overland flooding occurred in areas which received more than 65 mm (2.6 in.) of rain. This flooding has already begun to subside but water will remain in lower areas of many fields for the rest of this week. Some rural homes may have water in their yards and some small roads may be overtopped for a few more days. No towns or villages will be flooded from high river levels.
Levels of lakes in the Whiteshell, Nopiming and Atikaki provincial parks will rise well above desirable levels due to the rain. Dams on Jessica, White, Brereton and West Hawk lakes will be opened tomorrow to help alleviate levels. An adjustment to the outflow control structure on Falcon Lake will also be considered. Cottage owners in Nopiming and Atikaki provincial parks are advised to protect properties against near record-high levels.
The Winnipeg River has risen to 276.4 m (906.9 ft.) at Nutimik Lake, which is 1.7 m (5.5 ft.) above the normal summer level. Many boat houses and docks area affected and low-lying parks and other lands are flooded. The river is expected to rise up to 0.3 m (one ft.) further due to the rain.
Most small streams crested this morning, but many remain near bank full. Low-lying portions along many streams are flooded but this will end by mid-week. Many small streams in the Red River Valley and eastern Manitoba rose rapidly by 1.5 to 2.5 metres (five to eight feet) due to the rain. Somewhat larger streams such as the Roseau, Whitemouth and Fisher rivers are still rising but will crest in a few days. Many streams east of Lake Winnipeg will not crest until late this week or next week due to the effect of the many lakes in the area. Streams in Nopiming and Atikaki provincial parks and vicinity are expected to rise above flood stage.
The Red River is expected to rise an additional 1.2 to 1.8 m (four to six ft.) from Emerson to Winnipeg with lesser rises from Lockport to Selkirk. Crests are expected on the weekend or early next week. The Red River has already risen 4.2 m (13.7 ft.) at Emerson, 2.9 m (9.5 ft.) at Ste. Agathe and 1.6 m (5.2 ft.) in downtown Winnipeg during the past 10 days. Part of this rise was due to heavy rain in the Fargo area June 16 to 17. The river will remain within its banks but boating and other recreation will be affected, particularly in the portion from Winnipeg to Lockport.
A crest of 4.87 m (16 ft.) is expected at James Avenue in downtown Winnipeg next weekend. The level this morning was 3.81 m (12.5 ft.), well above the 2.6 m (8.5 ft.) elevation of The Forks walkways. With favourable weather conditions, the river level at James Avenue could decline to 2.6 m (8.5 ft.) by the middle of July.
Winds gusting to near 100 km/h during the past few days raised levels in the southern portions of Lake Winnipeg by 0.97 m (3.2 ft.) to 218.9 m (718.5 ft.) yesterday. Levels had subsided by 0.4 m (1.3 ft.) as of this morning due to decreased winds. Strong wave action raised levels well above 218.9 m (718.5 ft.) along the southern shores yesterday and caused erosion in some areas. Several homes at Sagkeeng First Nation near Fort Alexander were affected by high water or shoreline erosion. Reports indicate erosion also occurred on the southeast portions of Lake Winnipeg and Lake Manitoba.
In addition, caution is advised for motorists on the following Manitoba highways:
• PR 314, four kms north of the junction of PR 314 and PR 315. The water is about 30 centimetres (11.8 in.) deep. It is not recommended that small cars travel on this section of road;
• PR 315, just before the entrance to Nopiming Provincial Park;
• PR 307, from the junction of PR 307 and PR 309 to Betula Lake;
• PR 314, near Cat Lake;
• PR 314, near Sausage Lake; and
• PR 314, just north of Springer Lake.
These sections are in addition to these previously reported Manitoba highways:
• PR 319, near the Patricia Beach Provincial Park entrance; and
• PR 500, near the junction of PR 300 and PTH 12 and near the junction of PR 500 and PTH 59.
• All these sections have water on the road and are signed and marked.
The latest information on water and road conditions is available at www.manitoba.ca.
