Flood warnings have been issued for the Souris River from the U.S.-Canada border and downstream, and the Qu`Appelle River in St-Lazare area.
Flood watches have been issued for the Assiniboine River downstream of the Shellmouth Bridge to Portage la Prairie; Pipestone Creek, all reaches; Oak Lake and Plum Lakes; Plum Creek to the Souris River (including the town of Souris); the Saskatchewan River near Ralls Island; and the Carrot River near The Pas.
The Red River is forecast to crest in Emerson between April 25 and 27. The water level at Emerson is 790.12 ft. with flows of 77,000 cfs today.
Water levels on the Red River at Morris are 777 ft. today, an increase of 0.56 ft. since yesterday.
The upper range of the forecast peak on the Red River at James Avenue in Winnipeg is 22.2 ft., 0.3 ft. less than the 2009 crest. There will be prolonged high water levels in Winnipeg after the crest passes.
Water levels on the Shellmouth Reservoir have increased by 2.1 ft. since yesterday to 1,400.39 ft. The inflow into the Shellmouth Reservoir is 16,300 cfs after a crest at 20,000 cfs. Outflows were increased yesterday to 4,000 cfs to reduce the chance of prolonged agricultural flooding into the crop seeding and growing season. Manitoba Water Stewardship is assessing the possibility of further increasing outflow in the next two days, taking into account downstream conditions and flood protection activities.
The water level on the Souris River at Melita is at 1,411.29 ft. today and will remain near crest for the next two to three days. The revised forecast range for the Souris River for all points downstream of Souris has been increased. The upper range of the forecast peak for the Souris River at Souris is 1,362.5 ft. between April 24 and 29, and 1,160.6 ft. at Wawanesa between April 26 and May 1. Tributary flows from Pipestone Creek have contributed to the extended period of high flows and higher water elevations at these communities.
Pipestone Creek is also contributing high flows to Oak Lake and all downstream waterways.
Flood Response
In The Pas, the provincial sandbagging machine is running and sandbag dikes have been established at the Bracken Dam on the Carrot River. At Ralls Island, temporary flood protection is being enhanced using large flood-tube barriers for approximately three kilometres and an earthen dike is being constructed to protect against the forecast peak of the Saskatchewan River. While the ice has weakened, ice jams are still a concern in this area. Two Amphibex machines have broken ice at a number of locations on the Carrot and Saskatchewan rivers.
Higher flows from the Saskatchewan portion of Pipestone Creek have increased projected peak flood levels by 2.5 feet in Wawanesa. The town of Souris is projected to have a 0.7 ft. increase as a result of Pipestone Creek flows. Manitoba Infrastructure and Transportation, Manitoba Water Stewardship and the Emergency Measures Organization are working with affected communities to assess and if necessary improve increase flood protection measures.
Dike repairs continue along the Assiniboine River west of the Baie St. Paul bridge.
Five cottages at risk of flooding in the Oak Lake area are being protected.
At Morris, strong south winds led to the partial closure of the ring dike and there is now a ramp at PTH 75 at the south end of the town. Morris also has access through highways on the east and west sides of the community.
At the Warroad border crossing, U.S. Department of Agriculture inspectors are expected to be available to handle inspections of livestock shipments as of Monday, April 25.
There are 905 Manitobans evacuated from their homes. Evacuations are continuing from the Red River Valley including the RM of Montcalm, the RM of Morris and the RM of Ritchot.
There will be a disaster financial assistance (DFA) program in response to this year’s flood. DFA is generally available for evacuation costs, costs to prevent or limit imminent damage and for non insurable damage to essential property such as principle residences and buildings essential to the operation of eligible farms and small businesses. Manitobans are encouraged to first seek assistance through individual insurance claims. Application forms and further details about the program are available online at www.manitobaemo.ca or by contacting the Emergency Measures Organization at 204-945-3050 or 1-888-267-8298 (toll-free). Applications are also available at most municipal offices.
There are states of local emergency in 33 rural municipalities.
There are approximately 76 provincial roads affected by flooding with 49 of those closed. Approximately 570 municipal roads are closed.
Red River
Water levels just upstream of the Red River Floodway inlet are 761.90 ft. with flows of 67,660 cfs. Flows in the floodway are approximately 27,200 cfs. Flows above the floodway inlet will steadily increase until the forecast peak flows occur between May 2 and 5.
Water levels at James Avenue in Winnipeg have increased 0.08 ft. since yesterday to 18.09 ft. Flows at James Avenue this morning are approximately 51,000 cfs. Flows on the Assiniboine River will be increasing in the upcoming days.
Assiniboine River
The flood watch for the Assiniboine River from Russell to Portage la Prairie has been extended upstream to the Shellmouth Bridge.
The Qu’Appelle River is peaking in the St. Lazare area. The community protection dike is still seven ft. above the current water level.
Flows in the Portage Diversion channel this morning were at 18,700 cfs and flows on the Assiniboine River downstream of the diversion were approximately 9,750 cfs. Inflow upstream of Portage la Prairie is 28,450 cfs.
Pembina River
Water levels at most points along the Pembina River continue to decline with decreases since yesterday of 0.06 ft. at Rock Lake, 0.35 ft. at La Rivière and 0.58 ft. at Walhalla.
Souris River
The upper range of the forecast peak for the Souris River is 1,362.5 ft. at Souris and 1,160.6 ft. at Wawanesa
The Souris River continues to be over its banks at several locations. Since yesterday, water levels on the Souris River have increased by 0.76 ft. and 0.7 ft. at Souris and Wawanesa, respectively.
Pipestone Creek is contributing high flows to Oak Lake and all downstream waterways. Twenty cottages have been surveyed to assess flood protection needs. Five cottages at flood risk in the Oak Lake area are being protected.
Northern Rivers and Lakes
A revised forecast for the Saskatchewan River predicts peak water levels to occur between April 23 and 26. The upper range of the forecast peak is 1.2 ft. above flood stage elevation of 855 ft. at Ralls Island where enhanced flood protections works are underway.
Water levels on the Saskatchewan and Carrot Rivers at The Pas have increased by approximately 0.7 ft. and 0.74 ft., respectively, since yesterday.
Other Major Waterways
Snowpack-affected streams such as the Swan, Turtle, Shell, Pine, Garland, Ochre, Vermillion and Valley rivers have just started runoff in upper watershed regions. The significant amount of snowpack remaining in high elevations will result in high run-off flows with second crests near the end of next week. It is anticipated that the second crest will be lower than the first in most snowpack-affected streams.
The Turtle River has increased 0.8 ft. since yesterday.
Lake Manitoba water levels have risen to 813.42 ft. Outflows from Lake Manitoba are 11,450 cfs today. Lake Winnipeg water levels have risen to 715.04 ft.
Today’s risk of shoreline ice pileups on major lakes in Manitoba is low.
For more information, see www.manitoba.ca/flooding. The most up-to-date highway information is at www.gov.mb.ca/mit/roadinfo or 1-877-MBRoads (1-877-627-6237) and on Twitter by following @MBGov.
