Archived News Releases

Flood Bulletin #92

Flood Response

• The Red River Floodway was operated this morning at approximately 9:30 a.m. to lower water levels in the city of Winnipeg.  The operation will continue for seven to 10 days depending on weather conditions and is being carried out under 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 upstream of the Red River floodway inlet control structure is currently 32,300 cubic feet per second (cfs) and the flow in the floodway channel is 300 cfs.
• Water has damaged one of the bridge supports on the PR 251 bridge over the Souris River at Coulter in the RM of Arthur.  The road and bridge are now closed.
• The bridge crossing the Souris River at PTH 3 in Melita has had some erosion around one of the supports and has been closed as a precaution.
• Dikes along the Souris River at Melita, Hartney, Souris and Wawanesa are being monitored and maintained over the next week as the Souris River has crested in Manitoba. 
• 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.
• The extended period of high water levels also mean extra caution is advised when swimming or boating.  In addition to the high water hiding hazards, the spring flooding may have made riverbanks unstable.  The current in many lakes and rivers could be much stronger than normal so extra caution is advised.
• 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 has crested in Manitoba.  The table below lists the spring, maximum June and July peaks and identifies the maximum peaks observed this year.

• The Plum Creek at Souris decreased 0.41 ft. since yesterday to 1,372.99 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

• Inflow upstream of Portage la Prairie is rising in response to the large flows from the Souris River basin.  The inflow into Portage la Prairie is forecast to reach 41,000 to 42,000 cfs between
  July 8 and 10.
• The Shellmouth Reservoir was not operated yesterday, but will be today to increase the conduit outflow by 600 cfs.  The current outflow from the Shellmouth Reservoir consists of the conduit at 2,700 cfs and the spillway at 80 cfs, which totals 2,780 cfs total outflow.