The Red River is closely following the lower range of the forecast peak for most points in Manitoba. The Red River crested in Emerson yesterday at 790.29 ft., approximately 0.5 ft. below 2009 levels.
Water levels at James Avenue in Winnipeg have decreased 0.1 ft. since yesterday to 18.48 ft. Flows at James Avenue this morning are approximately 52,000 cubic feet per second (cfs).
Without the Red River Floodway, the Shellmouth Reservoir and the Portage Diversion channel, it is estimated the Red River at James Avenue in Winnipeg would be 28.3 ft. today, almost 10 ft. higher than current water levels.
The forecast crest for the Assiniboine River at Brandon is April 29 to May 3. Prolonged high flows are forecast to last for 10 days for the Assiniboine River.
Without the flood protection provided by the Shellmouth Reservoir, it is estimated the Assiniboine River in Brandon would be approximately two ft. higher than current water levels.
The Souris River is forecasted to crest in Wawanesa tomorrow and maintain sustained high flows for three to four days.
Near The Pas, water levels on both the Saskatchewan and Carrot rivers have decreased approximately 1.5 ft. in the vicinity of The Pas since yesterday.
Flood Response
Ice jams have cleared on the Saskatchewan and Carrot rivers near The Pas. Water levels on both the Saskatchewan and Carrot rivers have decreased approximately 1.5 feet since yesterday. An Amphibex and other heavy equipment was used yesterday to successfully release ice jams near the Bracken Dam and throughout the downstream reach of the Carrot River.
There will be prolonged high water levels on the Qu’Appelle River at St-Lazare. The community still has almost five feet of freeboard on their dike.
The Shellmouth Reservoir will be operated today to increase outflows without negatively impacting communities downstream on the Assiniboine River.
River levels in Melita are dropping and, for the most part, water is no longer against the temporary flood-tube protection that was placed in the community last week.
High water levels are still being reported on the Plum Creek at Souris and flood-tube barriers are still in place to protect homes along the creek. The Souris River at Souris is close to crest.
The Souris River is expected to crest in Wawanesa in the next few days. Adequate flood protection is in place in the community.
Dike repairs have been completed to accommodate expected higher flows on the Assiniboine River near Baie St. Paul. Substantial work will continue along the dikes to complete permanent construction and cleanup in the area.
The west ring dike at Morris will be closed at PTH 23 today due to high water. The community still has road access at the east end of the dike.
At St. Adolphe, PTH 210 will be ramped at the east side of the dike to allow for local access.
Due to lower water levels, the ring dike closure on PTH 30 at Gretna will be opened today.
There are currently 1,772 people evacuated, largely due to lack of safe road access. Of this number, approximately 760 are from the Roseau River First Nation where the community is evacuating as a precautionary measure due to the community’s concern about road access.
There are 79 provincial roads affected by flooding, with 53 of those roads closed. There are approximately 600 municipal roads closed due to flooding.
Red River
The Red River is forecast to crest in Letellier tomorrow. The water level at Letellier is 784.15 ft. today, increasing 0.07 ft. since yesterday.
Water levels just upstream of the Red River floodway inlet are 762.91 ft., with flows of 72,600 cfs. Flows in the floodway are approximately 31,000 cfs. Flows above the floodway inlet will steadily increase until the forecasted peak flows occur between April 30 and May 3.
Assiniboine River
Water levels on the Shellmouth Reservoir have increased by 1.5 ft. since yesterday to 1,405.38 ft. The reservoir is approximately three ft. from the top of the spillway, with potential for flows over the spillway in two to four days. Inflow into the Shellmouth Reservoir is 15,000 cfs. Outflows will be increased to maximum discharge today, which equates to approximately 5,500 cfs.
Water levels on the Assiniboine River at Brandon are 1,175.81 ft., decreasing 0.52 ft. since yesterday. Although water levels have declined over the last few days, the Assiniboine River at Brandon will begin to increase as it approaches crest, which is forecast between April 29 to May 3.
Flows in the Portage Diversion channel this morning are at channel capacity of 25,000 cfs. Flows on the Assiniboine River downstream of the diversion are approximately 11,000 cfs and will be increased to 14,000 cfs within the next two days. Inflow upstream of Portage la Prairie is 36,000 cfs.
It is anticipated that inflows will continue to increase at Portage Reservoir then peak between April 29 to May 3. During the crest, inflows into the Portage Diversion channel will be kept near maximum capacity and slowly decline to lower flows once the crest has passed.
The flood warning for the Assiniboine River from the Shellmouth Bridge to Portage la Prairie remains in effect.
The flood warning for the Qu’Appelle River in the St-Lazare area remains in effect. The Qu’Appelle River at Welby decreased 0.07 ft. since yesterday.
A flood watch has been issued for the Assiniboine River downstream of Portage la Prairie.
Souris River
Tributary flows from Pipestone Creek into Oak Lake have declined this morning. Despite the decrease in flows, high flows and higher water levels will continue along the Plum Creek due to the significant volume of water in the Oak and Plum lakes system.
Water levels on the Souris River have decreased by 0.29 ft. in the town of Souris but will remain near crest due to sustained high flows from the Plum Creek.
Water levels on the Souris River near Wawanesa are 1,157.92 ft., increasing 0.14 ft. since yesterday. The Souris River is forecast to crest in Wawanesa within the next few days and maintain sustained high flows for three to four days.
The flood warning for the Souris River from the U.S.-Canadian border and all reaches downstream remains in effect.
A flood warning for all reaches of Pipestone Creek and downstream into the Oak and Plum lakes system, as well as on the Plum Creek to the Souris River including the town of Souris, remains in effect.
Northern Rivers and Lakes
The flood warning for the Saskatchewan River near Ralls Island has been downgraded to a flood watch.
The flood warning for the Carrot River and all reaches within Manitoba has been downgraded to a flood watch.
Other Major Waterways
Lake Manitoba water levels have risen to 813.55 ft. Outflows from Lake Manitoba are 11,900 cfs today. The Fairford Dam at the outlet of Lake Manitoba is operating at full capacity. Water levels on Lake Winnipeg at Gimli are 715.21 ft.
Today’s risk of ice pileup on the shorelines of 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.
