Archived News Releases

·         Showers expected tomorrow with five to 10 millimetres likely.  The rain may slightly add to overland flooding and river levels, but this is not expected to be significant.  Much milder temperatures until next Wednesday will rapidly melt remaining snow and ice.

·         A serious ice jam at the Redwood Bridge developed overnight and broke near 11 a.m. today.  The river rose to 6.1 metres (20 feet) at James Avenue early this morning but had declined to
5.9 m (19.3 ft.) by noon.  The ice jam have elevated levels in the north end of Winnipeg this afternoon before the ice leaves the city.  Levels in southern portions of the city declined 0.46 to 0.6 m (1.5 to two ft.) overnight due to ice moving out.  The entire city may be clear of river ice by tonight, allowing river levels to decline several feet from recent crests.

·         The river may rise slightly later this week as the crest from Emerson arrives.  However it is expected to remain below 5.6 m (18.5 ft.) for the remainder of this spring unless unusually heavy rain develops later in April.

Lockport to Breezy Point

·         A serious ice jam developed in the city of Selkirk overnight as the ice jam from south of the city moved north to near PTH 4.  Levels at the dock in Selkirk have risen to within 0.6 m (two ft.) of the record crest in 2007.  The level has stabilized and may not rise further if ice moves through the PTH 4 bridge before the ice from Winnipeg arrives.  Levels as high as those of 2007 are possible in Selkirk if the jam does not break before midnight.  The golf course in Selkirk was briefly flooded by the ice jam.

·         Flooding is underway in the Breezy Point area and the provincial road has been overtopped in the area.  Crests from PTH 4 to Breezy Point will depend on the extent of ice jamming.  Crests as high as those of 1996 are possible but not likely due to ice-cutting and breaking activities.  The crests of 1996 exceeded those of 2007 in this portion of the river.

·         The river level rose 1.2 m (four ft.) at Selkirk and 0.34 m (1.1 ft.) at Breezy Point since yesterday morning. 

                                                                                    

·         There is no ice remaining in this portion of the Red River.

·         Crests will be about 0.15 m (0.5 ft.) higher and one day later than earlier predicted due to local run-off.

·         The crest is expected at Morris next Tuesday and at the floodway inlet next Friday.

·         Levels rose three centimetres (0.1 ft.) at Emerson, and 0.21 m (0.7 ft.) at Morris during the
24-hour period ending this morning.

·         So far this spring, the Red River has risen 11.1 m (36.4 ft.) at Emerson and 9.5 m (31 ft.) at Morris.

 

·         Water is flowing freely in the floodway and downstream of the structure today.

·         The water level upstream of the floodway inlet this morning was 233 m (764.67 ft.,) a rise of
0.43 m (1.4 ft.) from yesterday morning. The flow into the Red River Floodway this morning was measured at 34,200 cubic feet per second (cfs) of a total 71,000 cfs upstream of the floodway inlet.

 

Assiniboine River

·         Minor flooding has begun along the Assiniboine River from St. Lazare to Griswold.  Additional rises of 0.6 to 0.91 m (two to three ft.) are expected with crests likely to occur next week.   Moderate to high flows are expected in the Portage la Prairie area late in April due to a high flows from the Souris River.

·         Some flooding is expected on Assiniboine tributaries from Brandon to Birtle next week.  Run-off in this area was not competed due to cold weather following a heavy March rainstorm.

·         The flow on the Assiniboine River at Portage la Prairie was 6,370 cfs this morning, of which
4,000 cfs was diverted into Lake Manitoba. The flow in the river downstream of the Portage Diversion was 2,370 cfs this morning.

·         The outflow from Shellmouth Reservoir remains at 200 cfs. ,The water level of Shellmouth Reservoir has risen little so far this spring and with a slow melt reducing run-off, the outflow may be reduced to 50 cfs next Monday.

 

Souris River

·         The Souris River rose half a foot at Coulter since yesterday.  Over-bank flows have developed in the Coulter area and will develop in areas further north by late next week.  A crest of about 0.3 m (one foot) lower than that of 1999 is still expected several weeks from now.

·         Minor flooding is still anticipated in the Interlake region next week following snowmelt.  The flooding will be similar in magnitude to that of 2007.  Some diking may be required at the Peguis First Nation and the community of Fisher River, where ice often causes water to back up and flood low-lying properties.

·         Levels of the Pembina River remain relatively low but will increase next week following the significant snowmelt expected this weekend.  Flooding of the Pembina Valley from Rock Lake to La Riviere is anticipated but levels should be lower that those of 2006.  No difficulties are expected in the Gretna area.  Rock Lake is expected to rise to near 407.5 m (1,337 ft.) this spring.

·         The flood potential for the Westlake area is quite low. Minor localized flooding may occur late next week.

·         The flood potential remains low from Swan River to The Pas.

 

·         Overland flooding is expected to develop in many portions of the Red River Valley, especially in areas from the Red River east to the Ontario boundary this weekend and into next week.  Flooding will subside by the middle or late next week after drains are cleared of ice.  Flooding could continue longer if significant rainfall develops.  Levels on the Roseau River in the Stuartburn area were near bank-full yesterday morning but have since declined due to channel ice moving out. Near bank-full levels area expected on the Seine River near Dufresne and Lorette this weekend before the channel ice moves out.

·         The provincial government has taken action to minimize overland flooding as much as possible by steaming frozen culverts and opening blockages in the drains wherever possible.

·         Further details are provided below and specific forecasted crest stages are shown on the daily flood sheets issued by Manitoba Water Stewardship at:

www.gov.mb.ca/waterstewardship/floodinfo/floodsheet.html.

 

Flood Response

·         Road conditions are changing quickly, particularly as the snow melt continues this weekend.   Check highway conditions before travelling at www.manitoba.ca or call 204-945-3704 or
1-877-627-6237.  Some closures of note as of this morning:

-        PTH 75 from Winnipeg city limits to PR 205 is closed – local traffic only.

-        PTH 75 from PR 205 to Morris is closed.

-        PTH 75 from Morris to Ste. Jean Baptiste is closed.  Only emergency vehicles are permitted.

-        PTH 75 from Ste. Jean Baptiste to PTH 14 is closed – local traffic only.  Heavy truck traffic is not permitted in this area. 

-        The alternate detour for PTH 75 is PTH 3 and PTH 14.

-        PTH 23 is closed from PR 422 to Morris.

-        PR 201 is closed from Aux Marais River to the Red River Bridge.

-        PR 247 is closed three kilometres west of PTH 75 and seven km east of LaSalle.

·         Ice jams and breaking river ice have sheared off trees and pulled other shoreline debris into the river. This makes boating particularly risky. For the safety of the public and to allow flood-fighting crews to work safely in the flood zone, the public is asked to remember to:

-        Stay off all rivers and streams as flows and currents can be unpredictable and objects will be hard to see in flood waters and are serious potential hazards. Boats, kayaks and canoes should not be in the water until waterways return to normal levels.

-        Motorists must respect road barriers set up to control traffic and find another route. Water levels can change quickly and roads have barriers for a reason. 

-        Use extra caution in areas where work crews are present.

·         Emergency crews including the RCMP, the Morris Fire Department, the Central Regional Health Authority and the Office of the Fire Commissioner (OFC) were called Friday to assist with the rescue of an individual who drove onto a road covered in water and required rescue near Morris.  No serious injuries were reported. Motorists are advised to say off closed or water covered roads.

·         Some residents on Turnbull Drive and St. Mary’s Road in south Winnipeg are choosing to leave their homes voluntarily as a result of water on local roads. Local municipalities and the OFC are assisting residents who wish to leave.    

·         Three individuals were unable to leave Breezy Point this morning because of blocked roads and were taken out by the local fire department.

·         The RM of St. Andrews recommended the evacuation of the Breezy Point community yesterday. Road access to the community is cut and emergency services coverage is no longer reliable. Most homes in the community are summer homes, however there are a number of year-round leases in the area. The estimated number of residences affected by the evacuation is 40.

·         The OFC currently has water rescue teams with amphibious equipment located in Morris and Breezy Point.

·         Three homes outside of the ring dike at Roseau River First Nation have been sandbagged. 

·         At Sioux Valley First Nation, dikes have been constructed along the Oak and Assiniboine rivers.

·         At Peguis First Nation, diking is underway at 11 of 24 homes that have been identified as initially vulnerable to flooding.  Provincial steamer crews have also been working around Peguis and Fisher River First Nation.