May 22, 2011
Flood Bulletin #57
Flood Response
- The dikes along the Assiniboine River and the Portage Diversion channel are stable. They are being closely monitored.
- The RM of Portage la Prairie has lifted a voluntary evacuation for residents in the controlled release area. Six mandatory evacuations near the release point remain in place, as do 15 mandatory evacuations along the Portage Diversion.
- Sandbagging continues around Lake Manitoba communities. Cottagers and residents are encouraged to take steps to protect their properties and move contents to higher and safer ground.
- The provincial state of emergency has been renewed to June 5 to support continued flood responses around the Portage la Prairie area.
- There are currently 3,297 Manitobans evacuated from their homes. Today, 112 Peguis First Nations residents returned home. There are still 384 people evacuated from the community.
Flood Forecast
- An unstable weather system brought widespread rain over much of southern Manitoba, North Dakota, and central and southern Saskatchewan. The southern portions of the Assiniboine River Basin generally received more rain, between 20 and 50 millimetres, while northern portions of the basinreceived between 10 and 30 mm.
- Due to this weekend storm, several tributaries in the Red, Assiniboine and Souris river basins are experiencing rises or slower declines in water levels. The major rivers of these basins have not risen significantly yet, but are expected to do so in the next few days. Preliminary information shows the Red River will rise by less than 0.4 feet, the Souris River will rise slightly and the rate of declines along the Assiniboine River will slow. Updated information will be provided as more data becomes available.
- Water levels rises were significant on some tributaries in the Red River Basin, such as Roseisle Creek, which increased six feet as a result of the storm and is currently near peak.
- Water levels for several Assiniboine River tributaries increased by about 0.5 ft. over the weekend.
- Some streams in the Interlake region have seen water level rises, such as Netley Creek, where levels increased over two ft. over the weekend due to the storm.
- Environment Canada has issued a strong-wind warning for Lake Manitoba and Lake Winnipeg. Winds on both Lake Manitoba and the south basin of Lake Winnipeg will be east up to 40 km/h today, switching to north 20 km/h this evening.
- Flood warnings are in effect for the Assiniboine River at all points downstream of the Shellmouth Dam; Pipestone Creek, all reaches; Oak Lake and Plum lakes; Plum Creek to the Souris River (including the town of Souris); and the Qu`Appelle River in the St-Lazare area.
- High water advisory is in effect for all major lakes in Manitoba and the Souris River.
Lakes
- Lake levels at Oak and Plum lakes are high and continue to contribute high flows to Plum Creek.
- The Fairford River water control structure continues to operate at full capacity due to the high level of Lake Manitoba. Outflows from Lake Manitoba on the Fairford River and further downstream on the Dauphin River remain high with no change since yesterday.
Lake Levels
|
Lake |
Level1 (ft.) |
Change from Last Reading (ft.) |
Date of Previous Reading |
|
Lake Manitoba |
815.05 (taken May 22) |
+0.09 |
May 21 |
|
Lake St. Martin |
804.25 (taken May 22) |
+0.01 |
May 21 |
|
Lake Winnipeg (at Gimli) |
716.45 (taken May 22) |
+0.01 |
May 21 |
|
Lake Pineimuta |
807.022 (taken May 21) |
+0.06 |
May 20 |
|
Dauphin Lake |
859.44 (taken May 22) |
no change |
May 21 |
|
Oak Lake |
1,412.04 (taken May 22) |
-0.16 |
May 21 |
|
North Shoal Lake |
860.47 (taken May 20) |
-0.02 |
May 18 |
|
East Shoal Lake |
860.90 (taken May 20) |
-0.01 |
May 18 |
|
West Shoal Lake |
860.85 (taken May 20) |
no change |
May 18 |
2reading may be influenced by wind
Assiniboine River
- Water levels on the Qu’Appelle River at Welby are 16.96 ft. today, decreasing 0.07 ft. since yesterday.
- Water levels on the Shellmouth Reservoir are 1,413.14 ft., decreasing 0.16 ft. since yesterday. Inflow into the Shellmouth Reservoir is 6,880 cubic feet per second (cfs) and outflow is 8,090 cfs today.
- Water levels on the Assiniboine River at the First Street Bridge in Brandon are 1,179.86 ft., decreasing 0.28 ft. since yesterday. Flows at the First Street Bridge are 25,840 cfs, measured this morning. Water levels at First Street are expected to be close to 1,177 ft. by the end of May, a decline of about three ft. from the current level.
- Water levels on the Assiniboine River at the First Street Bridge in Brandon have decreased over three ft. since the peak on May 15.
- Flow on the Assiniboine River upstream of Portage la Prairie is 47,020 cfs. Flows in the Portage Diversion channel are at 29,200 cfs. Flows on the Assiniboine River at the Portage Reservoir control gates are 17,820 cfs
- Water levels in the Baie St. Paul area are 799.89 ft., an increase of 0.02 ft. since yesterday.
Souris River
- Water levels on the Souris River at Wawanesa decreased 0.12 ft. since yesterday to 1,155.84 ft. today, with an estimated flow of 14,400 cfs.
For more information, see www.manitoba.ca/flooding. The most up-to-date highway information is at www.gov.mb.ca/mit/roadinfoor 1-877-MBRoads (1-877-627-6237) and on Twitter by following @MBGov.
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Après la publication de chaque rapport sur les inondations, les renseignements sont mis à jour en français dès que possible.
Pour les consulter, allez à www.gov.mb.ca/waterstewardship/floodinfo/forecasts_reports.htmlpuis cliquez sur « Daily Flood Reports».