Project Overview - Channel Widening

In order to ensure the protection of groundwater, the Manitoba Floodway Authority (MFA) has confirmed that no deepening of the floodway channel will be required within the length of the 48 km long channel as part of the Red River Floodway Expansion Project.

Previously, MFA had announced that initial plans to deepen the floodway channel from up to two metres (six feet) had been scaled back to no more than 0.6 metres (two feet). Since that time, MFA had reviewed its plans and determined that no deepening will be required within the floodway channel. Instead, MFA will focus its efforts on widening the channel. MFA will maintain the same design capacity as initially planned resulting in an increased capacity within the floodway from 1,700 cubic metres (60,000 cubic feet) of water per second to 4,000 cubic metres (140,000 cubic feet) per second.

To prevent erosion and further deepening within the floodway's low flow channel, MFA will also undertake additional measures including armoring and regrading, to fill in erosion spots and re-establish the grade of the low flow channel. These measures are designed to protect against erosion, facilitate the movement of water through the low flow channel, and improve fish movement through the floodway during periods of the low water.

Announcement (56kb)