May 2, 2014
Flood Bulletin #26
Warnings and Advisories
- Flood warnings are in place for the Assiniboine River from the Shellmouth Dam to Brandon, due to high flows.
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A flood watch is in place for:
- all points along the Carrot River, due to high flows and the potential for ice jams; and
- Brereton Lake in the Whiteshell Provincial Park.
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A high water advisory is in place for:
- the Saskatchewan River at The Pas, due to high flows and the potential for ice jams; and
- all points along the Little Saskatchewan River, due to high flows.
The Pas and Northern Manitoba
- The Saskatchewan, Carrot and Red Deer rivers are continuing to rise. Conditions are being monitored regularly.
Red River
- Water levels and flows on most of the Red River and most tributaries in Manitoba are declining.
- Water levels in the U.S. portion of the Red River and between Emerson and Ste. Agathe are rising due to recent precipitation. With normal precipitation, flows are expected to remain within bank in Manitoba.
Assiniboine River
- The water level on the Shellmouth Reservoir has increased to 1,407.8 feet; the summer target level is 1,402.5 ft. and the spillway is at 1,408.5 ft.
- Inflows to the reservoir are approximately 10,945 cubic feet per second (cfs) and outflows are at 5,150 cfs.
- Provincial officials consulted again today with the Shellmouth Operation Liaison Committee (with representation from municipalities and conservation districts around the reservoir and downstream of the Shellmouth Reservoir) on Shellmouth Dam operations including the continued high outflows from the reservoir.
- This operation is in keeping with the seasonal-specific guidelines. In the spring, the guidelines call for outflows to be increased to keep reservoir levels below the spillway, if possible.
- Water levels on the Assiniboine River are generally over the banks from the Shellmouth Reservoir to Brandon.
- As of this morning, flows on the Portage Diversion are 5,355 cfs and flows on the Assiniboine River downstream of the diversion are 9,070 cfs.
- A further increase of 1,000 cfs will be made to the Assiniboine River flow below the Portage Diversion today. This will be done by reducing the flows on the Portage Diversion to reduce the amount of water being diverted into Lake Manitoba and because of good weather in the forecast.
Souris River
- Due to steady releases from the Rafferty and Alameda dams, water levels are increasing at Melita, Souris and Wawanesa. Sustained flows will be seen at these sites, although the river is expected to remain within bank.
Interlake Region
- Flows on the Fisher River dropped to 970 cfs at Dallas this morning.
Eastern Region
- A flood watch has been issued for Brereton Lake in the Whiteshell Provincial Park.
- The lake level is high but is being regulated by operating the control structure on the lake.
- There is potential for flooding to develop on the lake itself and downstream. Conditions are being monitored regularly.
- Streams in the region are stable and are within bank.
Spring Safety
People are reminded:
- to be watchful of local waterways as flood conditions can develop quickly and ice conditions may be unsafe,
- to avoid crossing areas with broken ice and surface water,
- not to drive or walk through fast-moving water, and
- to call 511 to check road conditions before travelling.
Questions or concerns about flooding or water management should be directed first to the municipal authority. Anyone with questions about water levels, provincial waterways or provincial water control infrastructure can call 204-945-8373 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday to Friday.
Up-to-date flood information can be found at www.gov.mb.ca/flooding/, on mobile devices at www.manitoba.ca or on Twitter at www.twitter.com/MBGov.
Up-to-date road information is available at www.mb511.ca, on mobile devices at www.manitoba.ca, on Twitter at www.twitter.com/MBGovRoads or by calling 511.
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