April 29, 2013
Legal Action Taken to Ensure Operation of Portage Diversion
Senior Manitoba Infrastructure and Transportation officials have ordered the operation of the Portage Diversion to begin immediately. Officials have identified a buildup of ice less than four hours away from the diversion that could cause significant ice-jam related flooding if the diversion is not operated immediately.
In order to ensure that operation of the diversion can commence, legal action is being pursued to remove several individuals inside the diversion channel.
Senior officials advise that any farm machinery remaining within the channel has the potential to damage flood control infrastructure further down the diversion. However, officials have determined those risks are outweighed by the imminent flood threat to the rural municipalities of Headingley, St. François Xavier, Portage la Prairie, and Cartier.
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