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June 26, 2009 HIGH WATER WATCH ISSUED FOR SOUTHEASTERN MANITOBAManitoba Water Stewardship has issued a high water watch for southeastern Manitoba due to a forecasted weekend rainstorm.
Weather forecasts indicate a high probability of 50 millimetres (two inches) of rain over portions of the Red River watershed between Grand Forks and Winnipeg tonight through tomorrow. Greater rainfall amounts could occur in some areas if heavy thundershowers develop.
The rain is expected to raise levels of the Red River in Manitoba by an additional 0.6 to 1.2 metres (two to four feet) by late next week. Levels of the Red have already risen 1.4 m (4.5 ft.) at Emerson, 0.64 m (2.1 ft.) at Ste. Agathe and 0.15 m (0.5 ft.) in downtown Winnipeg since last weekend, due to heavy rains south of Fargo on June 16 and 17.
While the Red River will remain within its banks, levels in the city of Winnipeg could rise to three m (10 ft.) above James Avenue datum, about 1.1 m (3.6 ft.) above normal summer level.
Brief overland flooding in areas southeast of a line through Morden, Morris, Steinbach and Whitemouth could develop if rainfall amounts exceed 75 mm in heavy thundershowers. Tributaries of the Red River and other smaller streams should remain within their banks but some ditches and drains could overflow.
Strong northerly winds Sunday could cause raised levels on Lake Manitoba, Lake Winnipeg and smaller lakes in the Interlake, most of which already have high levels. Minor shoreline flooding is possible.
Information on high water watches and levels is available at:
Updated forecasts will be posted when rainfall amounts are known.
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