The water level of
Shellmouth Reservoir is 1409.66 feet today and has declined half a foot since
June 30. The spillway elevation is at 1408.5 feet and the normal July level is
about 1403.5 feet. The level is beginning to decline faster due to recent dry
weather in the area.
The conduit flow on
Shellmouth Dam was increased from 500 cfs to 750 cfs early this afternoon,
raising the total outflow back to the downstream bankfull capacity of 1500 cfs.
The conduit will continue to be adjusted to maintain a total outflow of
1300-1500 cfs in order to lower the reservoir water level.
The Reservoir level is
expected to decline to 1408.5 feet by July 21 based on normal weather
conditions.
The Assiniboine River has
been within its banks at all points from Shellmouth to Winnipeg since late
June.
The record high levels on
Shellmouth Reservoir continue to cause some problems for some cottage owners
and campgrounds and other recreational interests on the reservoir. However
conditions are gradually improving.
Unusually dry weather in
most areas south of PTH #1 and in a few areas north of the highway is causing
rapid declines in levels of smaller streams. Precipitation has been less than
25 percent of normal in some areas during May and June. Some difficulties with
water intakes are already being experienced and more will develop if the dry
weather continues. Water uses are very high due to stress on plants.
Flows on the Assiniboine
River will remain well above average most of this summer. However flows on the
Red River have declined to average and those on the Winnipeg River and the
Souris River are well below average.
Water supplies in lakes and
reservoirs are generally very good due to the high recharge this spring.
However lakes in the Whiteshell are unusually low.
The weather forecast calls
for scattered showers and thunderstorms in southern Manitoba this evening and
Saturday.
