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Flood Report for Southern Manitoba - April 21, 2006

Water Information

FLOOD UPDATE FOR MANITOBA

April 21, 2006.

Red River is at Crest from Morris to Lake Winnipeg

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

• The weather outlook is favourable, with little or no rain expected during the next five days. 

Red River

• Levels of the Red River declined one inch or less at most points during the 24 hour period ending this morning. The level at Emerson fell a quarter foot.  

• The river will decline slowly for the rest of this week but will begin to decline a little faster next week and even faster the following week, based on favourable weather. The water should recede from PTH 75 north of Morris by about May 4.

• The Red River level in downtown Winnipeg this morning was 18.25 feet, a small decline from 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 32,500 cubic feet per second (cfs) while the flow upstream of the floodway inlet was 79,100 cfs.

Assiniboine River

• The Assiniboine River is presently within its banks from St. Lazare to Winnipeg due to operation of flood control structures. However, flooding has developed from Shellmouth Dam to Millwood due to increased outflows from the reservoir. The outflow was increased from 1500 cfs to 2500 cfs Wednesday afternoon because of increased runoff from heavy precipitation in Saskatchewan.

• Manitoba Water Stewardship, in consultation with the Shellmouth Reservoir Regulation Liaison Committee, is planning to maintain reservoir outflows at 2500 cfs as long as possible. These controlled outflows will be reduced near the crest to compensate for spillway flows in order to minimize the peak outflow.  

• The water level in Shellmouth Reservoir this morning was 1406 feet, which is 2.5 feet below the spillway elevation. Water levels are rising again due to the effect of the heavy rain and snow in the area earlier this week. It is expected that the spillway elevation will be reached by early next week and that the reservoir will crest in early May. 

• Some flooding could occur from Miniota to Brandon early next week due to local runoff from the storm. Minor flooding may develop from Miniota to Brandon May 8 to 12, when the crest from Shellmouth Reservoir arrives. Flooding in this portion is expected to be be minor and short-lived if the weather is favourable. Flooding in the area from Shellmouth to Millwood will likely continue until at least mid May.  

• Flooding is not expected in Brandon with the possible exception of low lying areas at Curren Park.    

• The flow in the Portage Diversion this morning was 5040 cfs while the inflow to Portage Reservoir was near 10,100 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 around Inglis, 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 further rise is expected.    

Pembina River 

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

• Water levels at Gretna and the Aux Marais crossing at the international boundary have begun to fall slightly and should decline 1.2 feet by late next week. 

Whitemud and Turtle Rivers 

• Some flooding continues along low lying areas of the Whitemud River and the Big Grass Marsh. Levels will fall very slowly during the next two weeks.  

Carrot and Saskatchewan Rivers 

• Levels of the Saskatchewan River at The Pas have declined slightly since yesterday. A second crest is no longer expected--levels should continue to decline slowly.  

• Levels in the Carrot River west of The Pas have begun to rise more quickly as water arrives from Saskatchewan . There is no change in the forecast with a crest expected April 24 to 25. There will be flooding of some farmland near the river and a few homes may require diking. 

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

Swan River and Red Deer River 

• A second crest similar to that of April 12 is expected at Swan River late today or tomorrow. This crest is due to the rainstorm earlier this week. The situation is being watched closely but flooding of homes is unlikely. The town has been advised.  

• The Red Deer River crested at Erwood, Saskatchewan early yesterday and should reach Manitoba late today or tomorrow. Levels up to two feet above historical records are expected. Landowners along the river have been advised to take appropriate actions to protect property.  

• Red Deer Lake continues to rise and this morning was 1.5 feet above the previous record set in 1979. The lake is now near its crest but a further rise of half a foot is possible. The crest is expected tomorrow.    

• The community of Red Deer Lake is diking low-lying homes to protect against rising water levels and possible wave action. Staff from Manitoba EMO, Manitoba Conservation, Manitoba Water Stewardship and Manitoba Aboriginal and Northern Affairs are at the scene to assist.   

Other Central and Northern Manitoba Waterways 

• Smaller streams flowing off the Riding and Duck Mountains and the Porcupine Hills are declining but larger streams such as the Shell River and the Little Saskatchewan River, are still rising and will experience some flooding during the next 10 days or so. 

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 21, 2006

• Riding Mountain & Westlake Area - April 21, 2006

• Pembina River - April 21, 2006

• Assiniboine River - April 21, 2006

• Swan River - The Pas Area - April 21, 2006

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