Flood Bulletin #65

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Flood Response

• Due to high winds and heavy rains, numerous communities are starting evacuations.  Specific evacuations and duration will change as the storm moves through different areas.
• Affected communities include the Sioux Valley First Nation due to overland flooding, and Ochre River and Alonsa due to waves and lake levels.  In addition:
  • The RM of St. Laurent has issued mandatory evacuation orders for 80 properties, of which approximately 20 are permanent residences.
  • The RM of Woodlands has issued mandatory evacuation orders for 68 properties, of which approximately 10 are permanent residences.
  • Mandatory evacuation notices have also been issued for residences in the Delta Beach area by the RM of Portage la Prairie.
  • Evacuees are asked to register by telephone with the Red Cross at 1-888-662-3211.
• Overland flooding is also affecting areas in the city of Brandon.
• There are also evacuation notices in several beach communities.  Residents and cottagers are advised to move belongings to higher ground or to alternative sites.
• Wind warnings continue for Lake Manitoba, Lake Winnipeg and Lake Winnipegosis.  Other lakes that are forecast to experience high winds include the Shoal Lakes, Dauphin, Oak, Pelican and Rock lakes, and other lakes across Manitoba.
• Municipalities and residents are advised to prepare for wind-affected lake levels and significant wave action along shorelines.
• An unstable weather system has resulted in rain over many parts of Manitoba.   Cumulative rainfall between May 28 and this morning is provided for the following locations:

      Souris            88 mm            Sprague                           68 mm

      Boissevain    64 mm            Minot, North Dakota       64 mm

      Treherne        61 mm            Pierson                            57 mm

      Melita             56 mm            Brandon                           53 mm

      Woodlands    51 mm            Arborg                              49 mm

      Minnedosa    44 mm            Eriksdale                         44 mm

      Birtle               40 mm            Ethelbert                          32 mm

      Winnipeg       29 mm            Portage la Prairie           24 mm

 

Flood Forecast

• Based on recent rainfall information, forecasters estimate the impact of this storm will be most pronounced on the Souris and Assiniboine rivers.  There will be water level rises at most locations along the Souris River.  These rises will be more pronounced at the downstream end of the Souris River by the towns of Souris and Wawanesa.  The Souris River tributaries are predicted to reach another crest, but be below peaks reached earlier in the year.  Due to heavy rains, water levels are increasing on the main Assiniboine River stem and on smaller tributaries of the Assiniboine River.  Forecasters’ preliminary estimates are that water levels on the Assiniboine River at the First Street Bridge in Brandon could increase to between 1,180 and 1,180.5 feet during the second week of June.  This morning Brandon was at 1,177.26 ft.  This forecast will be updated as the storm evolves.

Lakes

• Manitoba Water Stewardship’s flood forecasting website has information on forecast peak water levels for Lake Pineimuta, Lake Manitoba, Lake St. Martin and Dauphin Lake, as well as wave uprush illustrations and other flood information.
• Lake levels at Oak and Plum lakes are high and continue to contribute high flows to Plum Creek. 

Lake Levels

 

Lake	Level1 (ft.)	Change from Last Reading (ft.)	Date of Previous Reading
Dauphin Lake	859.40 (taken May 31)	no change	May 30
Dog Lake	815.662 (taken May 30)	+0.11	May 30
Lake Manitoba at Lundar Beach	815.882 (taken at 8:55 a.m. May 31)	+0.17	May 30
Lake Manitoba at Steeprock	815.44 (taken May 31)	+0.07	May 30
Lake Manitoba at Twin Lakes Beach	816.292 (taken at 8:15 am May 31)	+0.26	May 30
Lake Manitoba at Watchorn Beach	815.42 (taken at 6:40 am May 31)	no change	May 30
Lake Pineimuta	807.162 (taken May 30)	no change	May 29
Lake St. Martin	804.37 (taken May 31)	+0.01	May 30
Lake Winnipeg	716.22 (taken May 31)	no change	May 30
Lake Winnipegosis	834.6(taken May 31)	no change	May 30
Oak Lake	1,411.81 (taken May 31)	-0.03	May 29
North Shoal Lake	860.51 (taken May 30)	no change	May 28
East Shoal Lake	861.01 (taken May 30)	+0.10	May 28
West Shoal Lake	860.96 (taken May 30)	+0.11	May 28

¹Wind affect eliminated                   ²Reading may be influenced by wind