March 3, 2011
Province Invests in Brandon's Assiniboine River Dike
BRANDON—The provincial government will invest more than $781,000 to help raise the Assiniboine River dike here, Premier Greg Selinger announced today.
“Helping Manitoba communities deal with the possibility of spring flooding is at the top of our priority list,” said Selinger. “We recognize the importance of the Assiniboine River dike to the safety of the people of Brandon and the surrounding area, and are investing to strengthen this flood protection system.”
On Feb. 23, Brandon city council approved upgrades to dikes on the north and south banks of the Assiniboine River. The city’s diking will be from 800 metres west of 18th Street east to First Street along Kirkaldy Drive directly on top of the existing dike for a total length of approximately
five kilometres.
Total cost of the dike upgrade is estimated at $1.85 million, with the province providing $781,000, fully covering the balance of the project not covered by Brandon’s Diking and Flood Control Reserve. The dike is expected to be complete prior to spring flooding.
“Brandon is a strong city, with a strong community spirit that will see us work together to fight any potential flood this spring; each one of us has a responsibility and role to play,” said Mayor Shari Decter Hirst. “This announcement adds a strong partner to that community effort. On behalf of the citizens of Brandon, I would like to express our gratitude to Premier Selinger and the Government of Manitoba for their support.”
The premier noted municipalities across the province continue to prepare for spring flooding. This includes work with municipal emergency-management teams to review existing plans, gather information through conference calls, flood-preparedness meetings, Disaster Financial Assistance sessions and other related activities. Other preparations for a spring flood along the Assiniboine River include:
- performing maintenance work at the Portage Diversion including dredging the reservoir, protecting against erosion and removing excess vegetation; and
- assessing and strengthening the Assiniboine dikes east of Portage la Prairie as needed.
New flood-fighting equipment is arriving, and equipment and material are being positioned across the province. Some of the equipment being deployed includes:
- two million sandbags;
- two new sandbagging units, bringing the number to five available sandbagging machines;
- 20,000 additional super sandbags on order, bringing the total to 30,000;
- 43 km of rapid-deployment cage barriers on order, with 14 km currently in inventory;
- 20 additional heavy-duty steamers on order, which will bring the overall provincial complement to 57;
- 21 new mobile pumps and two new largediesel pumps to be delivered in a few weeks; and
- 18 additional kilometres of water-filled barriers on order, bringing the overall provincial complement to 72 km, 30 km of which will be in rapid-response trailers.
“Manitoba has experienced its fair share of flooding and we commend Brandon for recognizing the need for permanent diking and taking the initiative to make it a reality. Other shovel-ready permanent protection works of similar terms will also be considered, if communities make proposals,” said Selinger. “Flood protection has a major impact on our province’s economy, environment and quality of life in Manitoba. Over the years, we have learned a great deal on how to deal with floods and we are confident our emergency plan and procedures will assist communities throughout the province in preparing for and responding to a potential flood.”
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