Manitoba Water Stewardship

FLOOD REPORT FOR MANITOBA

May 30, 2006.

A flood sheet for the Assiniboine River for May 30, 2006 is attached. It also shows conditions and forecasts for the Red River in Winnipeg and for Red Deer Lake.

The flood warning issued for the Fisher River yesterday is continued for the mainstem of the river in the Peguis and Fisher River Reserves where further rises are expected. However it is cancelled for the R. M. of Fisher where the East Fisher River and West Fisher River are at the crest and little or no further rise is expected.

The West Fisher River has crested at levels very similar to those of the spring flood in 2004. The East Fisher River is cresting at levels about one foot lower than in 2004. The Fisher River is still rising in the Peguis Reserve and at points further north. The crest is expected at the Peguis Townsite late this afternoon and at the Fisher River Reserve tomorrow morning. An additional rise of half a foot to one foot is expected in the Peguis Reserve and Fisher River Reserve making this flood 0.5 to 1.0 feet lower than that of April, 2004. The 2004 flood was greater than the April crests of 2005 and 2006, but was significantly lower than the floods of 1974, 1979 and 1986.

Extensive overland flooding continues throughout the Fisher River watershed but it has begun to slowly subside in most areas. The Fisher River is above flood stage at many locations and is threatening homes at the Peguis and Fisher River Reserves. It will be a close call for some low-lying homes in these Reserves. The river should be back within its banks before the end of this week based on favourable weather.

In addition to the 125 mm downpours in the Fisher River watershed last weekend, downpours of 50-100 mm were also recorded in other portions of the Interlake, the Westlake region, and some areas east of Lake Winnipeg, producing localized overland flooding. This has left many fields water-logged, flooding from these rains is generally subsiding. Basement flooding has occurred in some areas including the Town of Fisher Branch, mostly due to seepage or water entering basement windows.

The effect of last weekend’s rain in the Assiniboine River is becoming clearer. Another significant crest is occurring on the Qu’Appelle River at Welby and this will combine with runoff from Manitoba tributaries to produce another crest from St. Lazare to Brandon during the next 2-7 days depending on location. However the river is expected to remain within its banks in this portion.

The water level of Shellmouth Reservoir declined slightly from yesterday but this is in part due to a strong west wind. The inflow was 1600 cfs this morning while the outflow was 1750 cfs. Last weekend’s rain has delayed the date when the Assiniboine River is expected to fall below bankfull just downstream of the Reservoir--it is now estimated as June 7 with favourable weather. The conduit will remain closed until the spillway flow has decreased to 1300 cfs at which time the outflow will be held at 1300 cfs until the reservoir water level falls to 1405 feet or so.

The level of Red Deer Lake appears to have declined by at least one tenth of a foot since yesterday but this may be partly due to as strong west wind this morning. The clean-up at the community of Red Deer Lake continues on a limited basis, awaiting further declines in the lake level.

The level of the Red River in downtown Winnipeg has declined to 8.1 feet and is expected to fall to the normal summer level of 6.3 feet by June 8 based on normal weather conditions.

Scattered afternoon showers are expected in western Manitoba and the Interlake today but rainfall amounts should be in the 5-10 mm range and will have little effect on the flood situation.

Hydrologic Forecast Centre,
Water Branch,
Manitoba Water Stewardship

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Water Information

FLOOD REPORT FOR MANITOBA