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Flood Report for Southern Manitoba - April 18, 2006

Water Information

FLOOD UPDATE FOR MANITOBA

April 18, 2006.

Worst of Storm in Eastern Saskatchewan

Flash Flood Watch Cancelled for Riding, Duck Mountain Area

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.

Weather

• Updated weather forecasts indicate that the slow moving storm system over the Dakotas will produce its heaviest precipitation in eastern Saskatchewan , just west of the Manitoba border.

• Areas of western Manitoba from the U.S. border to The Pas will receive only 15 to 30 millimetres of rain, with somewhat higher amounts on high terrain. Rain over the Red River Valley is expected to range from 5 millimetres in the Winnipeg area to 15 millimetres near the U.S. border. Most of the rain in western regions will fall later today and rain in southeastern Manitoba is expected to fall tomorrow. 

• Actual rainfall as of this morning ranges from 10 to 20 millimetres in regions near the Saskatchewan border to less than five millimetres in central and eastern regions of Manitoba. Eastern Saskatchewan has received heavy snowfall.

• The flash flood watch issued yesterday for the Riding and Duck mountain area is cancelled, because of lower than expected rainfall. Some rises are expected on most streams in the region but overbank flows are unlikely.

• Larger streams in the region, such as the Shell River and the Little Saskatchewan River, will continue to rise as rainfall adds to anticipated crests from snowmelt.

Red River

• The Red River is very near its crest at all Manitoba points. Additional rises of less than an inch occurred from Morris to Ste. Agathe in the 24- hour period ending this morning. Winds are affecting water levels, making it difficult to estimate water levels.

• Rainfall expected tomorrow is not likely to raise river levels, although it may sustain the high levels a few days longer. Extensive flooding of agricultural lands and disruption of transportation will continue for close to two weeks. 

• The Red River level in downtown Winnipeg this morning was 18.28 feet, a very slight rise since yesterday. Levels in the city are expected to remain between 17.5 and 18.5 feet for the next two weeks. 

• 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 77,900 cfs. 

 Assiniboine River

• Levels of the Assiniboine River are relatively stable and the river is within its banks at all points. A minor crest has passed through the Oak Lake area west of Brandon. 

• Outflows from Shellmouth Reservoir were increased to 1500 cfs today as the reservoir water level has risen to over 1403 feet. The water level is expected to rise to near the spillway elevation of 1408.5 feet by late next week.

• There is a possibility that water may overflow the spillway, especially due to heavy precipitation upstream of the reservoir today. Outflows will be maintained at 1500 cfs if possible to prevent overbank flows in the area from Shellmouth Reservoir to Russell. 

• Minor flooding is possible from Miniota to Brandon beginning this weekend due to the combined effect of increased outflows from the Shellmouth Reservoir and rainfall runoff. If rainfall is on the light side, flooding is not anticipated in this portion of the river. Significant flooding at Brandon appears unlikely. Crest forecasts will be prepared once actual rainfall amounts are known.   

• The flow in the Portage Diversion this morning was 6,000 cfs while the inflow to Portage Reservoir was near 10,900 cfs. 

• Flooding of low-lying agricultural lands has developed along the Shell River in the Roblin area and will continue for several weeks. Flooding of low-lying areas in the river valley could also occur in the Inglis area, beginning later this week. 

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 rise is expected from the rain and snow presently falling in western portions of the watershed.  

Pembina River

• Significant flooding continues on the Pembina River from Rock Lake to Windygates, but levels will continue to decline despite the rain expected tomorrow.

• Little additional rise is expected in the Neche area where water levels have stabilized. Levels are just beginning to decline but rainfall tomorrow could prolong the period of high levels somewhat. Levels will remain quite high until next week.

• Water levels at the Aux Marais crossing at the international boundary have stabilized and wave action is less than yesterday. 

Whitemud and Turtle Rivers 

• Some flooding continues along the Whitemud River in the Woodside area and near the Big Grass Marsh. Rainfall could produce river rises at Neepawa, Keyes and Gladstone but levels should remain well below bankfull.

• The duration of flooding on the Big Grass Marsh and in the Woodside area may be somewhat extended if 10 millimetres of rain falls as expected. 

Carrot and Saskatchewan Rivers

• Levels of the Saskatchewan River at The Pas have changed little from yesterday and will begin to rise later this week due to increased flows coming from Saskatchewan , compounded by some local runoff from rainfall. The second crest, which is expected between April 24 and April 26, should be lower than last Saturday’s crest at Bracken Dam but may equal the first crest at Ralls Island. 

• Levels in the Carrot River west of The Pas changed little since yesterday but will resume rising in the next few days. There is no change in the forecast with a crest still expected between April 23 and April 25. There will be flooding of some farmland near the river and a few homes may require diking.

• High levels on Grace Lake continue to pose some problems near The Pas but water is being controlled by an emergency dike.

• Lands in the Pasquia River Valley near the Pas have been flooded and pumping continues to reduce levels.

Swan River and Red Deer River

• The river level at Swan River continues to decline slowly. A second crest may occur at Swan River late this week as a result of the rain, but it is unlikely to exceed that of last week and should not cause flooding of homes in the town. Some smaller roads in the Swan River region are still closed due to flooding.

• The Red Deer River has risen to levels about one metre above the previous maximum in eastern Saskatchewan and will reach levels several feet higher than previous crests in Manitoba during the next few days. Landowners along the river are advised to take appropriate actions to protect property.

• Red Deer Lake has risen 2.5 feet and is expected to rise at least one foot further until it crests 10 to 12 days from now. The community of Red Deer Lake has been advised and are diking low-lying homes.

Other Central and Northern Manitoba Waterways

• The flash flood watch issued for Riding Mountain and Duck Mountain region yesterday has been cancelled because of lower than expected rainfall.

• Most streams flowing off the Riding and Duck Mountains and the Porcupine Hills are within their banks. Some rises are expected due to rain but streams flowing off the high ground are no longer expected to experience flooding.

• Larger streams in the area, such as the Shell River and the Little Saskatchewan River are still rising from snowmelt runoff and will experience some flooding from now through next week.

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 . 

• Red River Flood Sheet - April 18, 2006

• Riding Mountain & Westlake Area - April 18, 2006

• Pembina River - April 18, 2006

• Assiniboine River - April 18, 2006

• Swan River - The Pas Area - April 18, 2006

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