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Flood Report for Southern Manitoba---April 12, 2006

Water Information

Flood Report for Manitoba

April 12, 2006.

A flood sheet showing present conditions and an updated forecast for: Red River, Riding Mountain, Pembina River, Assiniboine River, and Swan River are attached.

As anticipated in previous forecasts, river levels have risen rapidly in areas from Riding Mountain to The Pas, due to recent mild weather. Flooding is underway in some areas.

Carrot and Saskatchewan Rivers

• The forecast for the Carrot River has been updated this morning and it appears that levels will rise close to previous record levels.
• Levels of the Carrot River and the Saskatchewan River at The Pas continue to rise and could reach flood stage by this weekend.
• Levels of the Saskatchewan River at Ralls Island will likely rise to within a foot of last summer’s crest unless the ice moves in the next few days.
• There is a small risk of flooding at the Ralls Island housing complex if an ice jam develops in the area.

Swan River

• The Swan River has risen above flood stage at Swan River, resulting in water around some low-lying homes. About 30 homes have been diked and a few more may require diking as the river is expected to rise at least one more foot before it crests at the end of this week.

Other Central and Northern Manitoba Waterways

• River levels have risen rapidly in areas from the Riding Mountain to The Pas in recent days due to strong melting. Continued rises are expected due to a continuation of mild weather.
• Flooding has developed in some areas. Much of this flooding is due to runoff from lower elevations as runoff from the high ground is just beginning.
• Levels of the Woody River and the Roaring River are close to bankfull and flooding is expected in low-lying areas. The Wuskwi Sipihk First Nation near Swan Lake may experience some flooding, although road access has been improved in recent years and should make continued access possible.
• Diking at Opasquiak Cree Nation near The Pas is underway. Other low lying homes flooded in past years need to be protected. The crest is expected between April 19 and 20.
• The Amphibex continues to break ice on the Saskatchewan River in the Ralls Island area to reduce the risk of ice jamming.

Red River

• Levels of the Red River rose another half a foot at most rural points in the 24 hour period ending this morning. The river is now at least 10 km wide at points from Emerson to Morris.
• The crest is still expected at Emerson on April 14 and Winnipeg on April 20.
• There is no change in the forecast except from Lockport to Breezy Point where crests have been lowered by one foot. Crests very similar to those of 1996 are still expected.
• The Red River level in downtown Winnipeg this morning was 18.43 feet, a decline of nearly half a foot since yesterday. Normal summer levels are approximately 6.5 feet in downtown Winnipeg.
• Levels in the city will be steady or will fall slightly for the next few days and will then begin to rise slowly until the next Red River crest.  
• A second crest of 19.0 to 19.5 feet is expected on April 20, based on little additional precipitation.
• As this crest is lower than the 20.35 feet observed on April 7, no significant difficulties are currently anticipated in the city. This crest could be somewhat higher if heavy rain falls on the Easter weekend.
• The weather forecast calls for about five millimetres of rain tomorrow and some additional showers on Sunday. There is a chance of significant rain next Monday to Tuesday.
• The flow in the Red River Floodway this morning was 29,600 cubic feet per second (cfs) while the flow upstream of the floodway inlet was 71,500 cfs.

Assiniboine River

• Levels of the Assiniboine River are relatively stable and within riverbanks. Flooding is no longer anticipated from Miniota to Virden.
• The flow in the Portage Diversion this morning was 7400 cfs while the inflow to Portage Reservoir was 12,500 cfs.
• The water level in Shellmouth Reservoir has risen to 1396.5 and is expected to reach the desirable summer level by the end of April.

Souris River 

• Minor flooding of farmlands in the Souris River valley from Coulter to Melita will continue for two to three weeks. The river has crested at Melita and little further rise is expected at downstream points.  

Pembina River

• Significant flooding continues on the Pembina River from Rock Lake to Windygates.
• The crest appears to have passed Swan Lake area and should reach La Riviere later today and Windygates at the end of the week.
• Water levels are high, however, no buildings are threatened at this time. Red River overflows continue at the International boundary about two miles west of Emerson and some overflows into the Aux Marais River system have also developed somewhat further west.
• Repair and maintenance of the crossings at the boundary is underway. However a risk of flooding exists in the Halbstadt area and precautions are being taken. The situation is being monitored closely.

Interlake

• Most steams in the Interlake, including the Fisher River, have crested with only minor flooding.

Whitemud and Turtle Rivers

• Levels of the Whitemud River are close to the crest with minor flooding in many areas.
• Flooding of the big Grass River and Big Grass Marsh will develop on the weekend and continue next week.
• At this time, towns are not threatened but a few homes are being diked as a precaution.
• The Turtle River has crested at Ste. Rose, so a dike closure will not be necessary.

Boating Safety

• All operators of boats and personal watercraft should avoid flooded rivers and streams in Manitoba. Unpredictable currents, floating debris and submerged obstacles make flooded waterways unsafe for recreational boating.
• There are restrictions to navigation caused by the operation of the floodway gates south of Winnipeg as well as the potential for turbulent waters at or near the outlet structure north of Winnipeg. Caution should be exercised at all provincial water control structures.

Road Closures

• PTH 75 remains closed from the Perimeter Highway at Winnipeg to PTH 14 south of Morris. The alternate route detour for truck and through vehicle traffic traveling to I-29 will be PTH 3 and PTH 14.
• Many provincial highways and roads in southeastern Manitoba are currently affected by overland flooding. Motorists are advised to check road conditions before travelling.
• Road closure information is updated 24-hours-a-day and posted on the provincial website at http://www.gov.mb.ca/roadinfo or call 204-945-3704 or 1-877-MBRoads (1-877-627-6237).

General Information

• As a precautionary measure, the Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health for Manitoba advises that all people using water from wells or other sources that may be affected by flooding should boil their water before using it or find alternative supplies of drinking water until flooding subsides.

• Red River Flood Sheet - April 12, 2006

• Riding Mountain & Westlake Flood Sheet - April 12, 2006

• Pembina River Flood Sheet - April 12, 2006

• Assiniboine River Flood Sheet - April 12, 2006

• Swan River Flood Sheet - April 12, 2006

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