The controlled release point at the Hoop and Holler Bend on the Assiniboine River was closed at noon today. River levels are dropping slowly and while flows will continue to be high for several more days, the Portage Diversion structures and the Assiniboine River dikes can manage the flows.
The closure cannot yet be considered permanent. Due to continued high flows, ongoing concerns with the Portage Diversion and Assiniboine River dikes, and a forecast rainstorm for the Souris watershed this weekend, the option to reopen the controlled release must remain for at least another week. This is required to ensure future river flows, particularly from the storm, do not cause issues with the Portage Diversion structures or the Assiniboine River dikes.
The mandatory evacuation for the homes closest to the area affected by water from the controlled release remains in place. Property owners in areas of the controlled release zone who have not seen any water can return home. Residents are advised to keep their flood-protection systems in place until further use of the controlled release has been ruled out.
The mandatory evacuation for residents near the Portage Diversion structures remains in place.
The controlled release was initially made on May 14 to take pressure off the Portage Diversion and the Assiniboine River dikes. At the time of the controlled spill, inflows at the Portage Reservoir reached 52,300 cubic feet per second (cfs) with the diversion taking 34,000 cfs and the river downstream of the controlled release was at 18,000 cfs, the maximum flows both could handle at that time. This required at least 300 cfs to be removed through the controlled release.
Lakes
By this afternoon there will be approximately 500,000 sandbags available in the St. Laurent and Twin Beaches areas as a result of the work of two sandbag machines and military personnel. Cottage owners and residents have been contacted and evacuation information provided about evacuations.
Municipalities around the lake are working with residents to survey and mark properties to establish protection levels.
At Delta Beach, the RM is working with representatives of property and cottage owners. Sandbags and survey crews have been provided and work on protective measures is progressing well in this area.
The RM of St. Laurent has also issued precautionary evacuation alerts to at-risk properties, as have other municipalities who have residents in at-risk areas.
The areas receiving materials include the RMs of Portage la Prairie, St. Laurent, Coldwell, Grahamdale and Siglunes.
Volunteers can assist over the weekend in the Lake Manitoba area by calling the phone numbers below:
• RM of Siglunes, 204-768-2641;
• RM of St. Laurent, 204-646-2259;
• Delta Beach area, 204-997-4601;
• RM of Woodlands, 204-383-5679; and
• RM of Coldwell (Lundar), 204-762-5421.
Canadian Forces
Approximately 1,700 Canadian Forces personnel have been an integral part of the flood-fighting effort in Manitoba for past two weeks. Troops will begin returning to regular duties in stages over the next few days. The 100 troops assisting with flood-protection efforts around Lake Manitoba will remain in place.
Manitobans can add their personal thanks for the military and their support in fighting the 2011 flood at www.manitoba.ca/appreciation. A special celebration is being planned for Sunday, June 5, which is Canadian Forces Day.
Other Areas
Four provincial correctional facilities helped with flood-fighting efforts across Manitoba. Headingley Correctional Centre provided inmate crews to help build dikes near Elie. Brandon Correctional Centre provided round-the-clock crews to assist in emergency efforts to build and reinforce dikes in the city of Brandon. Agassiz Youth Centre provided two crews to help build dikes around Portage la Prairie and make sandbags at a central depot. Dauphin Correctional Centre supported sandbagging efforts around the Dauphin Lake area. Several hundred hours of time, including supervisory staff, have been provided to this point.
There are currently 3,370 Manitobans evacuated from their homes.
Provincial and municipal roads are beginning to reopen as river levels start to slowly recede in most areas of the province.
Flood Forecast Summary
An unstable weather system is developing in North Dakota and Montana and parts of southern Saskatchewan and Manitoba. This system may bring over 60 millimetres of rain in localized areas of Saskatchewan and Manitoba over the weekend.
Environment Canada has issued a strong wind warning for both Lake Manitoba and Lake Winnipeg. Winds on both lakes are forecast to be up to 40 km/h tomorrow.
Assiniboine River flows into the Portage Reservoir have dropped around 2,000 cfs since yesterday to 49,550 cfs. Flows on the Assiniboine River will continue to drop over the next few days despite the forecast rain this weekend.
The Fairford River water control structure continues to operate at full capacity due to the high level of Lake Manitoba. Outflows from Lake Manitoba on the Fairford River and further downstream on the Dauphin River are the highest ever, measured at 16,630 cfs and 15,430 cfs respectively.
Flood warnings are in place for the Assiniboine River at all points downstream of the Shellmouth Dam; Pipestone Creek, all reaches; Oak Lake and Plum Lakes; Plum Creek to the Souris River (including the town of Souris); and the Qu’Appelle River in the St-Lazare area.
A flood watch has been issued for the Souris River.
A high water advisory remains in place for all major lakes in Manitoba.
Lakes
Strong winds can cause significant issues along the shorelines of lakes. The winds cause higher water levels because of wind setup and generate waves which vary in height depending on various factors such as the shoreline slope and what vegetation or buildings may be near the water’s edge. During high winds, dikes and individual properties will be impacted by wave action differently, depending on local conditions. More information the impact of wind and waves is available at the flood website at www.manitoba.ca.
Lake levels at Oak and Plum lakes are high and continue to contribute high flows to the Plum Creek.
Due to high water levels, Manitoba Water Stewardship has created inundation maps illustrating the forecasted high water levels for all areas around Lake Manitoba, Lake St. Martin, and is developing maps for the south basin of Lake Winnipeg and for Dauphin Lake.
Assiniboine River
Water levels on the Qu’Appelle River at Welby are 17.16 ft. today and are anticipated to increase with the forecast rain on the weekend.
Water levels on the Shellmouth Reservoir are 1,413.51 ft., decreasing 0.19 ft. since yesterday. Inflow into the Shellmouth Reservoir is 7,630 cfs and outflow is 9,000 cfs today.
Water levels on the Assiniboine River at the First Street Bridge in Brandon are 1,180.54 ft., decreasing 0.74 ft. since yesterday. Flows at the First Street Bridge in Brandon were 28,700 cfs, measured this morning. It is estimated the Assiniboine River water levels at Brandon First Street will be close to 1,177 ft. by the end of May, a decline of about three ft. from the current level. The flows are being reassessed to include the forecast rainfall in the Qu’Appelle River and upstream areas.
Inflow upstream of Portage la Prairie is 49,550 cfs. Flows in the Portage Diversion channel at noon today were at 31,130 cfs. Flows on the Assiniboine River at the Portage Reservoir control gates are 18,420 cfs.
Water levels in the Baie St. Paul area are 799.87 ft., a decrease of 0.01 ft. since yesterday.
Souris River
Due to the forecast rain, the high water advisory for the Souris River has been upgraded to a flood watch.
Water levels on Plum Creek have increased to 1,376.98 ft. today. These high flows will continue and be sustained for a significant period of time due to the high levels of the Plum and Oak lakes.
Water levels on the Souris River at Wawanesa decreased 0.07 ft. since yesterday to 1,155.8 ft. today, with an estimated flow of 14,300 cfs.
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.
