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Flood Report for Southern Manitoba - April 22, 2006

Water Information

FLOOD UPDATE FOR MANITOBA

April 22, 2006.

Water levels still Rising in Western Manitoba

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

• About 5 mm of rain is expected in many areas of Manitoba tomorrow but little rain is expected next week.

Red River

• Levels of the Red River declined one to two inches at most points during the 24 hour period ending this morning. The level at Emerson fell one third of a 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 May 3-4 with favourable weather.

• The Red River level in downtown Winnipeg this morning was 18.14 feet, a decline of about 0.1 feet since yesterday. Levels in the city are expected to remain between 17.5 and 18.5 feet for the next two weeks based on normal operation of flood control works.

• The flow in the Red River Floodway this morning was 31,960 cubic feet per second (cfs) while the flow upstream of the floodway inlet was 78,500 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 continues to be 2500 cfs while the inflow has risen to 8800 cfs.

• The water level in Shellmouth Reservoir this morning was 1406.8 feet, which is 1.7 feet below the spillway elevation. The inflow is rising due to the effect of the heavy rain and snow in the area early this week. It is expected that the spillway elevation of 1408.5 feet will be reached on Monday at which time spillway flows will commence. The crest on the reservoir is expected in early May.

• Manitoba Water Stewardship, in consultation with the Shellmouth Reservoir Regulation Liaison Committee, is planning to operate the reservoir to minimize the peak outflow. Controlled conduit outflows will be maintained at 2500 cfs until the total of conduit and spillway flows reaches 4000 cfs. The controlled conduit flow will then be reduced day by day to maintain a total outflow of 4000 cfs.

• Some flooding is likely from Miniota to Brandon from now through early next week due to local runoff from the storm. Minor flooding may re-develop from Miniota to Brandon May 8 to 12, when the crest from Shellmouth Reservoir arrives. Flooding in this portion is expected to 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 4800 cfs while the inflow to Portage Reservoir was near 9800 cfs.

• Flooding of low-lying agricultural lands along the Shell River will continue for several weeks. The crest of the Shell River has now reached the Inglis area.   

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 fell 0.2 feet since yesterday. The United States National Weather Service is expecting the level to decline one foot further at Neche by the end of next week.

Carrot and Saskatchewan Rivers

• The level of the Saskatchewan River at The Pas has changed little since yesterday and is not expected to rise further. A gradual decline should begin by the middle of next week.

• Levels of the Carrot River from the Saskatchewan boundary to just west of The Pas rose half a foot to one foot since yesterday. Additional rises of about two feet are expected before the river crests during the middle of next week. There will be flooding of some farmland near the river and a few homes may be affected.

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

Red Deer River and Swan River

• A record high crest on the Red Deer River has now reached Manitoba. The river crested in eastern Saskatchewan several days ago at flows nearly twice as great as previous record highs. Levels are two to three feet above historical records. Landowners along the river have been advised to take appropriate actions to protect property.

• The extreme flows on the Red Deer River are raising Red Deer Lake to levels far beyond previous highs. The lake was at 866.9 feet this morning, which is 1.9 feet higher than during the flood of 1979. The level is expected to rise half a foot further before the lake crests during the middle of next week. Diking at the community of Red Deer Lake continues with the assistance of Manitoba EMO, Manitoba Conservation, Manitoba Water Stewardship and Manitoba Aboriginal and Northern Affairs. A voluntary relocation of a number of community residents has occurred due to flooding of the access road.

• A second crest on the Swan River somewhat lower than that of April 12 is now passing through the town of Swan River. This crest is due to the rainstorm earlier this week. Flooding of homes is not anticipated.

• The crest on the Little Saskatchewan River is now near Minnedosa. The crest is well below that of 1995 or 2001 and no homes are threatened.

• Red River Flood Sheet - April 22, 2006

• Riding Mountain & Westlake Area - April 22, 2006

• Pembina River - April 22, 2006

• Assiniboine River - April 22, 2006

• Swan River - The Pas Area - April 22, 2006

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