Flood warnings have been issued for the Souris River from Melita and all downstream reaches. The warning includes the Qu’Appelle River in the St-Lazare area, the Assiniboine River downstream of Shellmouth Bridge to Portage la Prairie, the Pipestone Creek (all reaches), Oak Lake and Plum Lakes, and Plum Creek to the Souris River (including the town of Souris).
Flood watches have been issued for the Saskatchewan River near Ralls Island and the Carrot River, all reaches in Manitoba.
A high water advisory is in place for the Assiniboine River downstream of Portage la Prairie.
The Red River forecast has been revised to narrow the range of forecast peak water levels and dates. The upper range of the forecast peak for the Red River is now below 2009 levels for all points on the river.
The Assiniboine River forecast has been revised to provide a more narrow range of forecast peak water levels and dates. Prolonged high flows are forecast for the Assiniboine River for approximately 10 days.
The crests of the Assiniboine and Red rivers are forecast to coincide within the city of Winnipeg on April 30 due to Portage Diversion operations holding Assiniboine River flows constant at 14,000 cubic feet per second (cfs).
Flood Response
The Wawanesa School has been closed as a precautionary measure because of water in the crawl space and an engineering assessment is underway. Alternative space has been found for approximately 262 Wawanesa students, who will return to class on Monday. Students will be in temporary classrooms set up in town facilities such as the town hall and local rink.
Three families have been evacuated near St-Lazare. Two homes outside of the ring dike are experiencing some basement seepage. Both homes have sandbag dikes in place. Dikes in and around the community continue to have adequate protection for projected peaks.
The STARS air ambulance has flown 33 trips and conducted 17 patient transports. The nature of the calls involved heart attacks, strokes, acute injuries and motor-vehicle accidents.
So far, 1,984 people have been evacuated and registered, largely due to losing safe road access to their homes and communities. There are now 23 rural municipalities with states of local emergency in place, down from 32 last week.
There are 78 provincial roads are affected by flooding and 45 are closed or restricted to local access. About 590 municipal roads are closed.
Red River
The Red River crested in Letellier yesterday and is cresting in St. Jean Baptiste today.
It is anticipated the Red River will crest in Morris and Ste. Agathe on April 28 and in Winnipeg on April 30. Sustained high flows are expected for a prolonged period along all reaches of the river.
Water levels just upstream of the floodway inlet are 763.38 feet, with flows of 73,600 cfs. Flows in the floodway are approximately 32,900 cfs. Flows above the floodway inlet will steadily increase until the peak occurs on or around April 30.
Water levels at James Avenue in Winnipeg have increased 0.23 ft. since yesterday to 18.59 ft. Flows at James Avenue this morning were approximately 52,600 cfs. Flows on the Assiniboine River will be increasing in the upcoming days.
Water levels on the Red River in Selkirk increased 0.2 ft. since yesterday to 723.25 ft.
Assiniboine River
Water levels on the Shellmouth Reservoir have increased by 1.31 ft. since yesterday to 1,407.91 ft. The reservoir is approximately 0.6 ft. from spillway elevation and spillway overflow will occur later today. Inflow into the Shellmouth Reservoir is 15,100 cfs. Outflows are approximately 5,200 cfs today, the maximum possible with current reservoir levels.
The Shellmouth Reservoir is forecast to receive near record volumes of water from upstream waterways this spring.
Water levels on the Assiniboine River at the Brandon First Street Bridge are 1,176.96 ft., increasing 0.53 ft. since yesterday. Water levels at Brandon will continue to increase as the crest approaches around May 2.
Flows in the Portage Diversion channel this morning were near channel capacity at 24,100 cfs. Flows on the Assiniboine River downstream of the diversion are approximately 12,100 cfs and will increase to 14,000 cfs today. It is anticipated Assiniboine River flows downstream of the diversion will stay at 14,000 cfs for the next few days. Inflow upstream of Portage la Prairie is 36,100 cfs.
The coincidence of crests of the Assiniboine and Red rivers within the city of Winnipeg will occur on April 30 due to Portage Diversion operations holding Assiniboine River flows constant at 14,000 cfs.
Souris River
The Plum Creek, a tributary which meets the Souris River within the town of Souris, has increased to 450 cfs. Water levels on the Souris River near the town of Souris have declined despite the increase in flows from Plum Creek.
The Souris River at Wawanesa crested yesterday at 1,157.93 ft. and has now declined 0.33 ft. High flows are expected for the next two to three days.
Northern Rivers and Lakes
Water levels on the Saskatchewan River have decreased by 0.5 ft. in the vicinity of The Pas since yesterday. Water levels on the downstream reaches of the Carrot River have decreased by approximately 0.48 ft. since yesterday.
Other Major Waterways
Lake Manitoba water levels have risen to 813.65 ft., increasing 0.06 ft. since yesterday. Outflows from Lake Manitoba are 12,000 cfs today. The Fairford Dam, at the outlet of Lake Manitoba, is operating at full capacity.
Water levels on Lake Winnipeg at Gimli are 715.32 ft., increasing 0.04 ft. since yesterday.
Today’s risk of ice pileup on the shorelines of major lakes in Manitoba is low. Ice is still intact on the major lakes but is degrading.
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.
