April 7, 2011
Flood Bulletin #4
Summary
- An unstable weather system with the potential to produce moderate to heavy precipitation will track across the U.S., Saskatchewan and Manitoba borders this weekend.
- Breaking and flowing ice on the Red River is causing high water levels in the city of Winnipeg. The Red River at James Avenue rose one metre (3.3 feet) to a level of 6.2 m (20.3 ft.) at 10 a.m. Flood preparedness activities are underway throughout the city.
- Ice jams on the Red River in the Selkirk area are causing high water levels, but they are still much lower than in previous years.
-
In the U.S. portion of the basin, the Red River between Fargo and Pembina has risen by
0.15 to one m (0.5 to 3.3 ft.) since yesterday.
Weather and Effect on River Conditions
- Showers are expected throughout the Red River basin later tonight and tomorrow. Less than one millimetre (0.04 inches) of rain is expected. Temperatures throughout much of southern Manitoba will rise after Friday with highs in Winnipeg forecasted to reach 14 C on Monday. Similar weather conditions are predicted for Dauphin and The Pas, with rains expected tonight and a gradual rise in temperature until Monday.
- Rain and snow is expected in the Souris River basin tonight and tomorrow, with less than one mm (0.04 in.) of rain and one centimetre (0.4 in.) of snow accumulating.
- A system with rain and snow will track across the U.S., Saskatchewan and Manitoba borders this weekend. This system will be intense in the Souris River basin with localized precipitation generating up to three cm (1.2 in.) of rain and snow accumulating between Friday and Sunday.
- This system will also bring between one and four cm (0.4 and 1.6 in.) of localized precipitation in the Red River basin, resulting in added river flow levels. However, the timing and the actual precipitation amounts are still uncertain at this time.
Red River
- The main stem of the Red River has risen by between 0.15 and one m (0.5 and 3.3 ft.) since yesterday’s readings. South of Morris to the floodway inlet, water levels have risen approximately 0.5 m (1.6 ft.).
- Most Red River tributaries in Manitoba have risen between 0.15 and 0.5 m (0.5 ft. and 1.6 ft.) since yesterday. A few tributaries, such as the Roseau River, have seen minor rises and are either remaining stable or declining. Water level rises are attributed mainly to the recent storm and temperature increases.
- Several locations along the Red River in the U.S. are either at bank-full level or are over the riverbank. In Manitoba, the Red River flow is still within banks.
Water Levels along the Red River
|
Station Location |
Elevation1 |
Change from Yesterday |
Projected Crest Elevation |
Project Crest Date |
|
Fargo |
34.57 (reported in feet above winter ice level) |
+3.47 |
39.5-40 |
April 11 |
|
Drayton |
35.69 |
+1.01 |
|
|
|
Grand Forks |
38.19 |
+2.76 |
|
|
|
Pembina |
42.76 |
+1.66 |
|
|
|
Emerson |
238 m (781.43 ft.) |
+ 0.43 m (+1.41 ft.) |
241-241.5 m (791-792.3 ft.) |
April 18-May 3 |
|
Letellier |
237.2 m (778.17 ft.) |
+ 0.6 m (+1.9 ft.) |
239.6-239.7 m (786-786.5 ft) |
April 18-May 3 |
|
St. Jean Baptiste |
235.8 m (773.56 ft.) |
+0.5 m (+1.58 ft.) |
238.7-239 m (783-784.1 ft.) |
April 19-May 4 |
|
Morris |
235 m (770.93 ft.) |
+0.7 m (+2.18 ft.) |
238.4-238.7 m (782-783.2 ft.) |
April 20-May 5 |
|
Ste. Agathe |
232.6 m (763.11 ft.) |
0.6 m (+1.92 ft.) |
236.2-236.6 m (775-776.2 ft.) |
April 23-May 8 |
|
St. Adolphe |
231.2 m (758.42 ft.) |
+ 0.3 m (+1.08 ft.) |
235-235.4 m (771-772.4 ft.) |
April 25-May 9 |
|
Above floodway |
230 m (754.46 ft.) |
+0.4 m (+1.2 ft.) |
233.8-234.3 m (767-768.6 ft.) |
April 25-May 10 |
|
James Avenue in Winnipeg (10 a.m.) |
6.2 m (20.2 ft.) (reported in feet above winter ice level) |
+1.0 m +3.5 m |
six to 7.3 m (20-24 ft.) |
April 26-May 11 |
|
Selkirk (at town bridge) |
221 m (725.15 ft.) |
+0.9 m (+2.83 ft.) |
|
|
|
PTH 4 bridge |
229 m (721.54 ft.) |
+0.3 m (+1.0 ft.) |
|
|
1Elevations read at approximately 8 a.m., April 7, 2011.
Assiniboine River
- Run-off has not started on the Assiniboine River and there are no major rises in river levels.
Souris River
- Water levels are approaching the top of the bank on the Souris River at Melita, possibly due to ice conditions.
- The Souris River at Souris has risen by three to six cm (1.2 to 2.4 in.) since yesterday. Flow contributions from U.S. tributaries will be significant due to the high moisture levels in the upper Souris watershed. Several locations in the U.S. are at or above flood-stage (i.e., Westhope). Levels are expected to remain unchanged over the next five days.
Other Major Waterways
-
The Saskatchewan River has seen minimal rises of less than three cm (1.2 in.) in the last
24 hours. - The Roseau River at Dominion City has seen a water level rise of 0.35 m (1.2 ft.) since yesterday.
- The Fisher River has risen only five cm (two in.) since yesterday.
Water Levels at Other Major Waterways and Water Bodies
|
Station Location |
Elevation (ft.) |
|
Pembina River at Pelican Lake |
412.9 m (1,354.7 ft.) |
|
Pembina River at PTH 34 |
399.8 m (1,311.6 ft.) |
|
Pembina River at La Rivière |
392.7 m (1,288.5 ft.) |
|
Whitemud River at Neepawa |
259.5 m (851.3 ft.) |
|
Lake Manitoba |
247.7 m (812.8 ft.) |
|
Shoal Lakes |
262 m (859.5 ft.) |
|
Lake Winnipeg |
217.8 m (714.6 ft.) |
1Elevations read at approximately 8 a.m., April 7, 2011.
FLOOD RESPONSE
- A partial closure of the ring dike at Brunkild on PTH 3 will begin today.
- Preparations for potential ring dike closures in other locations in the Red River Valley are already underway.
- Dike repairs have been completed at Lowe Farm and are nearing completion at Letellier.
- Localized overland flooding is underway in some areas of the province and is affecting some roads and bridges. The bridge is closed at PTH 52 and 59 at Tourond Creek due to ice damage. Provincial pumps are also working to address overland flooding in the Elm Creek area.
- Travellers are encouraged to check www.gov.mb.ca/mit/roadinfo/for the most up-to-date road information.
- Rural municipalities north of the city are reinforcing and constructing dikes to protect homes and municipal infrastructure.
For more information, please see www.manitoba.ca/floodingand find the most up-to-date highway information at www.gov.mb.ca/mit/roadinfo/.
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