What is Floodway Expansion?

• The largest flood in the recorded history of Manitoba took place in 1826 and was 40% larger than the 1997 flood.
  
  
• It is estimated that a repeat of an 1826 level flood would result in more than $5 billion in damages for the province.
  
  
• Since the 1997 flood, Canada and Manitoba have invested more that $130 million for flood protection measures - including $110 million for rural communities including Grande Pointe, Niverville, St. Pierre-Jolys, Gretna, Lowe Farm, Rosenort, Aubigny, Riverside, Emerson, Rosenfeld, Ste. Agathe, Roseau River, Letellier, Morris, St. Adolphe and Brunkild.
  
  
• Funding for this project is being shared equally by the Government of Canada and the Province of Manitoba to a total of $665 million.
  
  

The Red River Floodway:

• Is 48 kilometres (29.5 miles) long.
  
  
• Was constructed between 1962 and 1968 at a cost of $63 million.
  
  
• Has saved the province more than $10 billion in flood losses.
  
  
• Is crossed by the Trans Canada Highway, both national railways, many of Manitoba Hydro's transmission lines and Winnipeg's water supply.
  
  
• Has operated over 20 times between 1969 and 2004.

The Expanded Floodway will:

• Protect residents against a flood larger than the 1997 "Flood of the Century" including an 1826 level flood.
  
  
• Floodway expansion will increase the capacity of the current channel from 1,700 cubic metres (60,000 cubic feet) of water per second to 4,000 cubic metres (140,000 cubic feet) per second.
  
  
• Excavate more than 21 million cubic metres of earth to construct the expanded channel.
  
  
• Require upgrading and improvements to 6 bridge crossings, the outlet structure, the West Dike, utilities and drainage services.
  
  
• Generate thousands of direct and indirect employment opportunities.
  
  
• Result in recreational and economic development opportunities for local organizations, businesses, communities and the province.