Manitoba Water Stewardship has revised its crest forecast for the Red River in Manitoba. While the upper level of the forecast range has been reduced slightly, it still remains somewhat above 2009 levels for all points on the river.
The upper level of the crest forecast range for Winnipeg at James Avenue has been lowered to 6.95 metres (22.8 feet), which is 0.1 m (0.3 ft.) higher than the 2009 crest.
Flows in major waterways may not be significantly slowed by the forecasted cool weather due to the offsetting effect of increased surface flows that may be contributed from precipitation on the weekend.
Flood watches are now in effect on the Pembina River near Rock Lake and along the Souris River near Melita.
The Fairford Dam operated yesterday to increase outflows from 9,000 cfs to 10,500 cfs. No impacts are expected downstream from Lake Manitoba.
Flood Response
Overland flooding, frozen streams and ditches and ice jamming are affecting numerous communities across southern Manitoba. This is affecting highways, municipal roads and some homes. Approximately 55 provincial highways are affected and are closed, or are open to local traffic only, while 32 portions of roads have caution advised. There are close to 300 closures on municipal roads. Motorists are reminded to find alternative routes and respect barriers. Driving on closed and water-covered roads can be hazardous. Before travelling in potentially flooded areas, motorists are advised to check www.gov.mb.ca/mit/roadinfo.
Red River Valley
Approximately 190 people have evacuated from Peguis First Nation to Winnipeg as some homes are becoming isolated by rising waters.
PTH 75 continues to be assessed on an hour-by-hour basis, but remains open at this time.
Partial closures of the ring dikes remain in place at Noyes, Emerson, St. Jean Baptiste, Brunkild, Gretna, St. Adolphe and Ste. Agathe.
PR 200 access to the north end of St. Adolphe is restricted to one-lane traffic. Closure of PR 210 east is planned in the next few days. The low portion of the ring dike along the river at Ste. Agathe is being raised and is nearing completion.
Approximately six families near St. Jean Baptiste along PR 200 have evacuated.
Southwestern Manitoba and the Assiniboine River area
In Gladstone, clients of the Seven Regions Health Centre were being moved to another nearby facility today as a precautionary measure. Other services offered through the centre will be relocated within the community. More information is available through the Regional Health Authority – Central Manitoba. A super sandbag dike is in place in the community to protect against the rising Whitemud River. The river rose by one metre (three feet) yesterday.
In Wawanesa, 21 clients of the personal-care home are being moved as a precautionary measure to another facility. More information is available through the Assiniboine Regional Health Authority.
Eight people were evacuated from the settlement of Douglas in the RM of Elton east of Brandon. PR 340 at the Trans-Canada Highway was closed as heavy equipment worked on the dike.
A state of emergency was declared in Brandon because 700 homes were threatened by an overflowing retention pond. This water has now been drained.
The Village of Ninette is monitoring PTH 23, where water was building up against the road. Manitoba Infrastructure and Transportation has crews on-site assessing the situation and residents of nearby homes have been notified of a potential need to evacuate. Water levels had dropped this morning.
A bridge is damaged on PR 348 south of Brandon and east of Souris and the road is closed.
Sandbagging is occurring in Dauphin to deal with high water along the Vermillion River. A bridge is also damaged on the Mink River Road, a municipal road north of Dauphin.
A dike is being constructed at Sioux Valley First Nation to protect the community from rising waters on the Oak River and the Assiniboine River. Fifteen people who had evacuated from the community returned home yesterday.
Northern Manitoba near The Pas
Two Amphibex machines are being moved to the Saskatchewan River near The Pas to assist with potential ice jams run-off begins.
General
The Red Cross has opened its phone line to register evacuees. Evacuees are encouraged to call 1-888-662-3211.
There have been 304 evacuations related to flooding so far this spring.
Red River
Many Red River tributaries in the south portion of the basin are currently cresting or have already crested.
The main stem of the Red River from Letellier to south of the City of Winnipeg has generally risen just under 0.25 ft since yesterday’s readings. Flows on the Red River at Emerson are 42,300 cfs.
Water levels at the floodway inlet have remained stable since yesterday. Flow in the Red River above the floodway is approximately 62,000 cfs with an upstream elevation of 231.6 m (759.69 ft.). Flows in the floodway are approximately 19,000 cfs.
Assiniboine River
Ice has moved out at various locations along the Assiniboine River. The main stem of the river remains within banks at all locations at this time.
Sturgeon Creek has stabilized in the last two days and declined by 0.06 m (0.2 ft.) since yesterday. Water levels continue to run close to bank-full at several locations including the Ness Avenue Bridge.
Due to tributary flows into the Shellmouth Dam, there is increased inflow into the reservoir. Shellmouth Reservoir inflow is 3,300 cubic feet per second (cfs) and outflow is 420 cfs. Reservoir elevation is 461.7 m (1,385 ft.).
Flows in the Portage Diversion channel are 4,800 cfs and flows on the Assiniboine River downstream of the diversion are 3,510 cfs. Inflow is 8,360 cfs.
Pembina River
The high water advisory for the Pembina River downstream of Rock Lake has been upgraded to a flood warning.
Pembina River water levels remain close to bankfull levels at several locations in Manitoba and above flood stage levels at U.S. sites at Neche and Walhalla, N.D. Downstream of Rock Lake. the river has risen by more than three 0.9 m (three ft.). since yesterday and is currently above flood stage. Flooding has been reported in this area this morning.
Souris River
The high-water advisory for the Souris River near Melita has been upgraded to a flood watch.
Water levels continue to exceed bank-full levels at several locations on the Souris River.
Water levels on the Souris River at Melita increased 0.3 m (one ft.) since yesterday. Water levels at Wawanesa have increased about 0.9 m (three ft.), likely due to ice effects.
Interlake Region
Many roads and crossings throughout the Interlake region were impacted yesterday by ice in drains.
The Fisher River at Dallas rose 0.3 M (0.96 ft.) since yesterday. Water level increases on the Fisher River within Peguis First Nation have risen slightly since yesterday. Residents in the area should prepare for 2009 flood conditions.
Other Major Waterways
Run-off has commenced on tributaries in the Swan Lake and Dauphin Lake basins. Outflow from Fairford Dam was increased to 10,500 cfs yesterday. Lake St. Martin First Nation and the Little Saskatchewan First Nation have flood protection in place up to 25.9 m (805 ft.). The Saskatchewan River at The Pas has seen minimal rises in the last 24 hours. The Minnedosa Reservoir has risen 0.5 m (1.6 ft.) to 513 m (1,683 ft.) since yesterday. Steps are being taken to lower the reservoir level. Water levels downstream are being closely monitored.
For more information, see www.manitoba.ca/flooding. The most up-to-date highway information is at www.gov.mb.ca/mit/roadinfo, 1-877-MBRoads (1-877-627-6237) and on Twitter by following @MBGov.
