Archived News Releases

June 24, 2013

Manitoba Infrastructure and Transportation’s Hydrologic Forecast Centre has continued overland flood warnings and high water advisories for the northwest, Interlake and southwest regions of Manitoba.

An intense low pressure system brought significant rainfall and thunderstorms to much of southern and centralManitoba over the weekend.

Rainfall

• Summary:

*Note:  the total precipitation at the Garland station was recorded from June 20 to 24

• Over the next 72 hours, southern Manitoba is expected to receive up to 15 mm of rain while central and northern Manitoba are expected to receive significantly more precipitation, up to 75 mm in some locations.

Impacts on rivers

• Water levels in rivers and creeks have increased significantly with some rivers rising above the peak levels experienced earlier in the year during the spring run-off.
• Rise in selected rivers:

 

River	Rise (in feet) over the weekend	Comparison to 2013 Spring Peak Level
Pipestone Creek (southwest)	6.5	similar (cresting)
Gopher Creek (southwest)	3	similar (cresting)
Stony Creek (southwest)	4.5	1.5 ft. higher (cresting)
Vermillion River (northwest)	2	lower (cresting)
Turtle River (west)	7	lower (cresting)
Swan River	1	much lower
Ochre River(west)	5	1 ft. higher (crested)
North Duck River(northwest)	3	similar (cresting)
Garland River	5	0.5 ft. higher (rising)

• Most rivers appear to be at or near crest except for the Garland River which is still rising.
• Additional forecast precipitation may cause streams to rise further or slow the recession of water levels.

The Saskatchewan River

• The flood warning continues for the Saskatchewan River near The Pas.
• Water levels are expected to approach 2011 levels as flood water from Alberta moves east through Saskatchewan and into Manitoba.
• The Ralls Island dike in The Pas will handle projected levels as it was elevated to withstand floods greater than the 2011 flood.
• The flood crest in The Pas is expected in eight to 12 days, depending on the Tobin Reservoir operations and weather conditions.
• The river level is rising as the Saskatchewan Water Security Agency releases water from Lake Diefenbaker and Tobin reservoirs in Saskatchewan to make room for flood water from Alberta.
• The reservoir drawdowns are considered a good water management action that will significantly reduce the natural flood peak in Manitoba.
• Outflows from the Lake Diefenbaker Reservoir are 71,000 cubic feet per second (cfs).  Tobin Lake, located downstream of Saskatoon, is releasing 71,000 cfs and outflows are likely to be increased in the near future. 
• Working with its provincial counterparts, the Hydrologic Forecast Centre will monitor the river conditions and provide updated forecasts for the Saskatchewan River.

Impacts on communities

Rural Municipality (RM) of Pipestone

• The RM declared a state of local emergency June 23 due to heavy rains and overland flooding.
• The town of Reston experienced as much as 170 mm of rain over the weekend.
• The RM is currently conducting an impact assessment.
• Over 70 homes may have been impacted by overland flooding.
• Pumping is underway.
• Some local roads were washed out.
• No evacuations were required.

Village of Winnipegosis

• The village declared a state of local emergency on June 23 due to heavy rains and overland flooding.
• The village initiated its mutual aid system with neighbouring fire departments sharing resources such as pumps to drain low-lying areas.
• Approximately six homes had water in basements.
• No evacuations were required.

RM of Kelsey

• The RM declared a state of local emergency on June 22 to aid in flood preparations.
• The province provided two sandbag machines at The Pas and the Opaskwayak Cree Nation (OCN).
• The province is providing five Aquadam trailers (water-filled barriers) to The Pas (one), OCN (three) and the RM of Kelsey (one).
• A joint emergency operations centre has been opened in the town of Kelsey for The Pas, OCN and the RM of Kelsey.

Flooding can affect road conditions quickly.  Before travelling, check road conditions by calling 511.

 

- 30 -