Archived News Releases

Flood Bulletin #58

Flood Response

• The dikes along the Assiniboine River and the Portage Diversion channel are stable and are being closely monitored.  About 100 military personnel remain on site.
• The RM of Portage la Prairie has lifted a voluntary evacuation for residents in the controlled release area.  Six mandatory evacuations near the release point remain in place, as do 15 mandatory evacuations along the Portage Diversion.
• The RM of Portage la Prairie has issued a voluntary evacuation for approximately 30 permanent residences in the Delta Beach area.  The north wind has pushed water between homes and flooded the access road.  There are no reports of flooded homes but eastern access is limited.  Waves have removed sandbag dikes in some areas.
• Sandbagging continues around Lake Manitoba farms, residences, cottages and communities.  Cottagers and residents are encouraged to take steps to protect their properties and move contents to higher and safer ground.  One hundred members of the military are assisting with flood proofing efforts.
• The provincial state of emergency has been renewed to June 5 to support continued flood responses around the Portage la Prairie area.
• There are currently 3,297 Manitobans evacuated from their homes.

Flood Forecast

• There will be a slowdown in the decline of water levels on the Red and Assiniboine rivers as a result of the weekend storm.  The Souris River experienced minor crests at Melita and the town of Souris with increases of 0.1 feet and 0.2 ft., respectively.
• Environment Canada has issued a strong wind warning for Lake Manitoba and Lake Winnipeg.  Winds on both Lake Manitoba and the south basin of Lake Winnipeg will be north up to 40 km/h today.
• Flood warnings are in place for the Assiniboine River at all points downstream of the Shellmouth Dam; Pipestone Creek, all reaches; Oak Lake and Plum Lakes; Plum Creek to the Souris River (including the town of Souris); and the Qu’Appelle River in the St-Lazare area.
• A high water advisory is in place for all major lakes in Manitoba and the Souris River. 

Lakes

• Lake levels at the Oak and Plum lakes are high and continue to contribute high flows to Plum Creek. 
• Due to the high level of Lake Manitoba, the Fairford River water control structure continues to operate at full capacity.  Outflows from Lake Manitoba on the Fairford River and further downstream on the Dauphin River remain high.

 Assiniboine River

• Water levels on the Qu’Appelle River at Welby are 16.93 ft. today, decreasing 0.03 ft. since yesterday.
• Water levels on the Shellmouth Reservoir are 1,412.94 ft., decreasing 0.2 ft. since yesterday.  Inflow into the Shellmouth Reservoir is 6,190 cubic feet per second (cfs) and outflow is 7,640 cfs today. 
• Water levels on the Assiniboine River at the First Street Bridge in Brandon are 1,179.41 ft., decreasing 0.45 ft. since yesterday.  Flows at the First Street Bridge in Brandon were 24,500 cfs this morning.  Water levels at Brandon’s First Street are expected to be close to 1,177 ft. by the end of May, a decline of about two ft. from the current level.  
• Water levels on the Assiniboine River at the First Street Bridge in Brandon have decreased over 3.5 ft. since the peak on May 15.
• Flow on the Assiniboine River upstream of Portage la Prairie is 44,960 cfs.  Flows in the Portage Diversion channel are at 26,960 cfs.  Flows on the Assiniboine River at the Portage Reservoir control gates are 18,000 cfs.
• Water levels in the Baie St. Paul area are 799.87 ft., a decrease of 0.02 ft. since yesterday.