Archived News Releases

Flooding Bulletin #15

Flood Response

• There are multiple ice jams on the Assiniboine River between Poplar Point and the Baie St. Paul Bridge.  Crews are on-site reinforcing the dike by following the ice jams as they move along the river.  A secondary dike is being built approximately 10 kilometres east of Poplar Point to help contain flows where water is overtopping the dike on the north side of the river.
• Once this ice jam is released, there will be additional water coming into the city of Winnipeg, which will raise the Red River at James Avenue by approximately one to 1.5 feet for a short period of time.
• West of Poplar Point on the north side of the Assiniboine River, water is seeping under the base of the dike where it sits on a natural sand seam.  Crews are currently assessing whether a secondary dike is needed behind the primary dike to contain any seepage.
• The Assiniboine Rive dikes were reinforced in recent weeks to protect local farmland and keep water from the Assiniboine River potentially overwhelming the La Salle River watershed.
• Ramping of PTH 75 will likely begin tomorrow at Morris in preparation for a full closure of the highway.  The highway at St. Jean Baptiste is one-lane traffic northbound due to water on the shoulder.  The highway will be kept open for as long as it is safe and its status is being monitored carefully.
• PR 200 is still open to local traffic only in the St. Adolphe area, but the road may close in the next few days.
• Secondary crests are expected along the Whitemud, Turtle and Souris rivers at Wawanesa.
• A trailer and additional large flood-barrier tubes have been provided to the Ashern area to support flood-fighting efforts for overland flooding.
• Initial icebreaking on the Carrot River in The Pas area will be completed today.  The Amphibex machines will then move to the Rall’s Island area.
• There have been 37 people evacuated out of the Sandy Bay First Nation as a result of loss of safe access to the road.  So far across the province, 683 people have been evacuated this spring.
• This year’s flooding covers an unprecedented area of the province from the Saskatchewan border to eastern Manitoba, and from The Pas, south to the U.S. border.
• There are approximately 70 full or partial closures on provincial roads and approximately 725 closures of municipal roads.  Road closures can occur quickly.  Motorists are advised to be cautious and avoid driving on water-covered roads.  Check road conditions before setting out and be prepared to take alternative routes.

Flood Forecast Summary

• The forecasted peak for the Assiniboine River at St-Lazare has increased due to higher flows from the Qu’Appelle River, snow in Saskatchewan and precipitation that has fallen and is forecasted for the Souris River basin.  Water on the Assiniboine River at St- Lazare is forecasted to reach 1,288.2 ft. with a flow of 12,000 cubic feet per second (cfs).
• Flooding continues in the Pembina Valley watershed.  Water levels on Pelican Lake have increased since yesterday to a level of 1,353.18 ft. and are expected to continue increasing above flood stage to crest at a forecast of 1,353.6 ft.  The flood stage for Pelican Lake is 1,354 ft.
• The Souris River basin is forecast to receive significant snowfall today in North Dakota and over the next few days.
• The Souris River continues to be over the banks at several locations.  Significant flows from the U.S., local tributaries and the Turtle Mountains are expected to result in a prolonged crest and continued high flows on the Souris River.
• Flood warnings have been issued for Pembina River for Pelican Lake and downstream, Fisher River, Souris River from Coulter downstream, Qu`Appelle River in the St-Lazare area.
• Flood watches have been issued for the Assiniboine River downstream of Russell to Portage la Prairie.
• High water advisories have been issued for the Assiniboine River downstream of Portage la Prairie and Whitemud River in Gladstone area.

Red River

• The upper level of the forecast range for the Red River remains somewhat above 2009 levels for most points on the river.  The forecast will be updated tomorrow to account for the precipitation received this weekend.  Many smaller tributaries have crested and are in decline.
• Water levels on the main stem of the Red River at Emerson increased 0.76 ft. since yesterday’s readings.  Flows at Emerson this morning are 51,000 cfs.  Flows at Emerson are expected to crest April 25 to 28.
• Water levels at James Avenue in Winnipeg have decreased 0.29 ft. since yesterday to 18.71 ft.  Flows at James Avenue this morning are approximately 53,000 cfs.  Water levels at James Avenue increased less than predicted as water flows from the Assiniboine River were less than expected.  It is expected that James Avenue will increase a moderate amount, possibly 0.5 ft. today due to higher levels from the Assiniboine River.
• The Red River floodway will be raised today with an anticipated increase in water levels upstream of the floodway inlet to 760.5 ft.  Water levels south of the floodway inlet could be 760.5 to 761.5 ft. by tomorrow, which is approximately 0.4 ft. below natural conditions. 

 Assiniboine River

• Due to an ice jam between the Poplar Point Colony and the Baie St. Paul Bridge, water levels are elevated. 
• Flows in the Portage Diversion channel this morning are at a maximum of 23,000 cfs and flows on the Assiniboine River downstream of the diversion are 10,600 cfs.  Inflow upstream of Portage la Prairie is 34,000 cfs. 
• Water levels in the Shellmouth Reservoir have increased 1.18 ft. since yesterday to 1,389.17 ft.  The Shellmouth inflow is 6,185 cfs and outflow from the reservoir is 469 cfs.

 Pembina River

• Pelican Lake levels have reached 1,352.7 ft. and, as required in the operating rules in the Environment Act licence, the outlet gates have been opened to allow maximum outflow from the lake.
• Levels on Rock Lake decreased 0.45 ft. since yesterday. 
• High flows remain in the La Rivière area and downstream due to significant inflow from tributaries and lakes throughout the watershed.

 Souris River

• The water level on the Souris River near Melita has increased 0.41 ft. since yesterday to 1,410.45 ft.  Flows increased by 0.09 ft. since yesterday on the Souris River near Wawanesa.  Wawanesa is forecast to receive a second crest April 23 to 29.

 Interlake Region

• Water levels have decreased at most locations along both branches of the Fisher River, although decreases are only 0.1 ft. in the more downstream locations of the river.

 Other Major Waterways

• The Saskatchewan and Carrot rivers at The Pas have increased approximately 0.4 ft. since yesterday.
• A further operation of the Fairford River water control structure will be implemented early next week due to the high level of Lake Manitoba.  Outflows from Lake Manitoba will be increased from the current 10,150 cfs to approximately 10,500 cfs after appropriate notifications have been provided.
• The Whitemud River has experienced a first crest and is receding at most locations.  However, a second, lower crest is forecast in the next few days. 
• Rivers and creeks in the Parkland region are receding, but some streams impacted by high elevation snowmelt are forecast to receive a second, lower crest.
• Flows on the Swan River have decreased since yesterday.