Province of Manitoba » Water Stewardship » Water Information » Flood Forecasting Reports » Flood Report for Southern Manitoba---April 06, 2006

April 06, 2006.

A brief report follows. Flood sheets showing conditions and forecasts for the Red River and the Assiniboine River are attached.  

• Levels of the Red River rose two to three feet at most points in the 24 hour period ending this morning. The daily rises are beginning to decline due to increased flood storage as the river begins to widen. 

• The Red River in downtown Winnipeg had risen to 19.4 feet this morning due to increased flows at St. Adolphe and heavy local runoff in the lower Assiniboine and on smaller streams such as the La Salle River and Sturgeon Creek. The Red River Floodway was put into operation at 5:30 p.m. yesterday. This morning about 11,000 cubic feet per second was being diverted of the total flow of 51,900 cfs at the Floodway Inlet.  

• Despite operation of flood control works, it now appears that the crest in downtown Winnipeg may rise to between 20 and 20.5 feet tonight or tomorrow. Levels will decline somewhat from Friday through the middle of next week but will begin to rise again to a crest of 19.5 feet just after Easter. There is a possibility that heavy rainfall may cause the second crest to be higher, although such rain is not yet in the weather forecast. It is estimated that there is a 10 percent chance that the level in downtown Winnipeg may rise to 21 feet in the event of a 35 mm rainstorm late next week. 

• Predicted crests for the rural points on the Red River remain unchanged. Crests could be somewhat lower than those of 1996 if dry weather persists for the next few weeks, but could be somewhat higher than 1996 if significant rainfall develops. Crests are still expected at Emerson April 15 and in the Winnipeg area near April 20 based on good weather. Preparations for dike closures at Valley towns are in progress. It is anticipated that PTH 75 may be closed to traffic over the Easter weekend. 

• Levels of the Assiniboine River continue to rise but so far there is no flooding. High flows from Portage la Prairie to Winnipeg should crest today or tomorrow and decline thereafter due to operation of the Portage Diversion. Flows in the Diversion were increased this morning to decrease river flows. Minor flooding is likely in portions from Miniota to near Brandon next week. Levels in Shellmouth Reservoir have begun to rise, but overtopping of the spillway is not expected. 

• Minor flooding of farmlands in the Souris River valley from Coulter to Melita will continue for two to three weeks but additional river rises should be less than one foot.   

• The Pembina River is on the rise and will be a little higher than earlier expected. Flooding of valley lands from Rock Lake to La Riviere is now expected but peak levels should be significantly lower than last year. There is a possibility that water may overflow from the Neche area toward Gretna--this will be further evaluated.  

• Localized flooding continues on many smaller watersheds in the Red River Valley and is beginning to develop in the Interlake and Westlake areas as runoff accelerates in these areas. Runoff is also getting underway in areas from the Riding Mountain to The Pas. Flooding of low lying areas is likely in most of these regions. However flooding of towns and villages and at Ralls Island at The Pas is unlikely.

 

• Red River Flood Sheet - April 06, 2006

• Assiniboine River Flood Sheet - April 06, 2006

• Red River Flooded Area - 1950, 1979, 1996, 1997 map