Archived News Releases

Flood Bulletin #91

Flood Response

• The Red River Floodway will be operated tomorrow at approximately 9 a.m. to lower water levels in the city of Winnipeg.  The operation will follow rule one for floodway operations, meaning river levels will be held below the state of nature upstream or south of the floodway gates.  As the Red River will remain within its banks, properties and homes both upstream and downstream of the floodway inlet are not expected to be affected by higher Red River flows.  The flow into the Red River floodway today was 150 cubic feet per second (cfs) and the total flow at the floodway inlet was 31,950 cfs. The flow upstream of the floodway inlet control structure is forecast to reach around 32,500 cfs between today and July 8.
• Dikes along the Souris River at Melita, Hartney, Souris and Wawanesa are being monitored and maintained over the next week as the crest of the Souris River moves through Manitoba.  The river crested in Souris yesterday evening.
• The Souris Health Centre has resumed full acute-care and emergency-room services.  
• Work is nearly complete on the dike at Ralls Island on the Saskatchewan River in The Pas.  Additional work is nearly complete on properties along the Saskatchewan River on the Opaskwayak Cree Nation and along the Carrot River.
• Flood waters should be considered contaminated and anyone working around them should take precautions, particularly when addressing basement flooding.  Rubber boots, coveralls and protective gloves are recommended.  Water may be ground seepage or it may be river water which has been contaminated by sewage.  Avoid touching eyes and mouth after hands have been in flood water.  Wash hands well with warm water and soap, especially before eating.  Information about mould and cleaning up after flooding can be found at www.gov.mb.ca/flooding/factsheets.html.
• The scale, scope and ongoing nature of this year’s flood can be very challenging for affected Manitoba families.  There are resources to help deal with stress and anxiety which result from a crisis situation such as this flood.  Resources include Manitoba Farm and Rural Support Services 1-866-367-3276 (1-866-FOR-FARM) (toll-free); Klinic Community Health Centre 24-hour crisis line 786-8686 in Winnipeg or 1-888-322-3019 (toll-free); and Health Links–Info Santé which can help find resources through local regional health authorities or community mental-health services offices at 788-8200 in Winnipeg or 1-888-315-9257 (toll-free).  Additional information and tips are available at www.gov.mb.ca/flooding/stressinfo.html.

Flood Forecast Summary

Souris River

• The Souris River forecast, taking into consideration the July 4 flow measurement at Souris and weather conditions within Manitoba, is shown in the table below.

•  The Plum Creek at Souris decreased 0.4 feet since yesterday to 1,373 ft.  A flood warning for all reaches of Pipestone Creek and downstream into the Oak and Plum Lake system, and on Plum Creek to the Souris River including the town of Souris remains in effect. 

Assiniboine River

• The Assiniboine River forecast reflects the lower forecast Souris River crests.  Inflow upstream of Portage la Prairie has begun to rise in response to the large flows from the Souris River basin. The inflow into Portage la Prairie is forecast to reach 43,000 to 44,000 cfs between July 8 and 14.
• The Shellmouth Reservoir was operated yesterday to increase the conduit outflow by 600 cfs to 2,700 cfs.  No operation will be made today and operations will be reassessed tomorrow.
• The current operation of the Portage Diversion is lowering water levels in the city of Winnipeg by about four feet.

Red River