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Province of Manitoba » Water Stewardship » Water Information » Flood Forecasting Reports »
Flood Report for Southern Manitoba---April 16, 2006
Water Information
Flood Report for Manitoba
April
16, 2006.
Red River Crest Now at St. Jean
Flood sheets
showing present conditions and an updated forecast for:
Red River,
Riding Mountain & Westlake Area,
Pembina River,
Assiniboine River
and
Swan River - The
Pas Area
are attached.
Red River
-
A slow-moving
weather disturbance is expected to bring significant rainfall to
most areas of Manitoba as far north as the Pas Tuesday to
Wednesday.
-
Weather
forecasts, based on an interpretation of Canadian and U.S.
numerical weather models, call for 20-25 mm of rain over most of
the Red River watershed Tuesday to Wednesday with localized
higher amounts possible.
-
Areas of
western Manitoba from the U.S. boundary to Swan River could
receive 25-35 mm of rain from this weather system. There is
still considerable uncertainty as to rainfall amounts but more
will be known by tomorrow.
-
The Red River
crest was at St. Jean this morning and is expected at Morris
tomorrow and at the floodway inlet on Wednesday. Extensive
flooding of agricultural lands continues along the Red River,
especially from Letellier to Morris
-
Levels of the
Red River rose a quarter foot at Morris during the 24-hour
period ending this morning. Rises at other points were less than
a tenth of a foot. The river fell very slightly from Emerson to
Letellier.
-
The Red River
level in downtown Winnipeg this morning was 18.16 feet, a
decline of 0.2 feet since yesterday. The river level in downtown
Winnipeg is expected to remain below 19 feet as the crest
arrives from the south, but it could be higher if heavy rain
develops.
-
The flow in
the Red River Floodway this morning was 32,900 cubic feet per
second (cfs) while the flow upstream of the floodway inlet was
close to 76,500 cfs.
Assiniboine
River
-
Levels of the
Assiniboine River are relatively stable and the river is
expected to remain within its banks. A minor crest is occurring
in the Virden area today due to runoff from the Riding Mountain
area. The crest in Brandon is expected next weekend when the
Little Saskatchewan River crest arrives there.
-
The flow in
the Portage Diversion this morning was 6,700 cfs while the
inflow to Portage Reservoir was near 11,600 cfs.
-
The water
level in Shellmouth Reservoir has risen to 1401.3 feet and is
expected to crest near the spillway elevation of 1408.5 feet in
early May. The outflow from the reservoir was increased to 1,000
cfs today and a further increase to 1,500 cfs is likely on April
18. Assiniboine River levels downstream of the reservoir to
Miniota are declining, so these increases are not expected to
cause downstream flooding provided that little rainfall occurs.
-
Flooding of
low-lying agricultural lands is expected to develop along the
Shell River early this week.
Souris River
Pembina River
-
Significant
flooding continues on the Pembina River from Rock Lake to
Windygates.
-
The crest
moved through the Windygates area yesterday and is presently in
the Walhalla area of North Dakota. Little additional rise is
expected in the Neche area unless heavy rain develops.
-
Flooding of
valley lands from Rock Lake to past La Riviere is quite
extensive but no buildings are threatened. Heavy flows across
the boundary at the Aux Marais River crossing will continue for
the next 10 days, causing some flooding of agricultural lands on
the Manitoba side. It is expected that south winds and wave
action will cause overtopping of the boundary road tonight and
tomorrow. Residents along the Aux Marais River including those
at Halbstadt have been advised to prepare for possible flooding
starting tomorrow.
-
The Pembina
River is high at Gretna, located just north of Neche N.D. A
partial dike closure has been made to protect Gretna. No further
rise in the river is expected unless heavy rain develops. The
effect of anticipated rainfall on Pembina River levels will be
evaluated tomorrow.
Interlake
Whitemud and
Turtle Rivers
-
The Whitemud
River has crested at all points but considerable flooding
continues, especially in the Woodside area. The duration of
flooding would be extended in the even of rain next Tuesday.
-
Extensive
flooding continues on the Big Grass River although levels are
declining. The Big Grass Marsh should experience peak levels
similar to those of 2001 by the middle of next week.
Carrot and
Saskatchewan Rivers
-
The
Saskatchewan River crested near noon yesterday just as ice began
to move. Levels have declined at least one foot from the crest
and should continue to decline slowly.
-
Levels in the
Carrot River west of The Pas will continue to rise until the
crest, expected April 21-23. Rises from yesterday have been
small due to ice moving out, but water levels will increase in
the next few days. There will be flooding of some farmland near
the river and a few homes may require diking. Levels at points
within a few miles of The Pas are controlled by the Saskatchewan
River and are not expected to rise further.
Swan River and
Red Deer River
-
The river
level at Swan River continues to decline and a second crest is
no longer expected unless heavy rain develops. Many smaller
roads in the Swan River region are still closed due to flooding.
-
The Red Deer
River continues to rise and will reach record high levels.
Landowners along the river in Manitoba are advised to prepare
for levels up to 1.5 feet higher than for previous record
floods. The crest is expected in Manitoba near the middle of
this week.
Other Central
and Northern Manitoba Waterways
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 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 23 just
west of Morris is closed to all traffic. The road is signed and
marked.
-
PTH 75
remains closed from the Perimeter Highway at Winnipeg to PTH 14
south of Morris. Alternate route detours for truck and through
vehicle traffic traveling to I-29 is available online at:
http://www.gov.mb.ca/tgs/hwyinfo/2006floodstage1.pdf.
-
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
-
People who
live in flooded areas and rely on well water will be able to
have water quality tested at no charge. 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.
-
For further
information, visit
http://www.gov.mb.ca/flood
.
Hydrologic Forecast Centre,
Water Branch,
Manitoba Water Stewardship
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