Archived News Releases

Flood Warning Issued for Dauphin Lake; Recent Area Rainfall will Raise Lake Levels over Next Few Weeks

Manitoba Infrastructure and Transportation’s Hydrologic Forecast Centre has issued a flood warning for Dauphin Lake. Over the next few weeks levels are forecast to rise two feet with average weather conditions, but could rise by as much as three ft. with unfavourable weather conditions.  This is approaching the 2011 peak of 860.7 feet above sea level (fasl).

• Current lake wind-eliminated level is about 857.3 fasl.  The target level is around 855 fasl.
• Recent heavy rain and future weather conditions could result in:
•     favourable:  858.7 fasl;
•     median:  859.4 fasl; or
•     unfavourable:  860.5 fasl.
• Property owners are advised to secure or remove valuables along shorelines as the potential for wind set-up and wave action will develop.
• Recent Dauphin-area heavy rain has resulted in high run-off and flows in Mink Creek, the Valley, Wilson, Vermillion, Turtle and Ochre rivers and other small creeks, such as Edwards Creek, flowing into Dauphin Lake.
• Mossy River is the outlet for Dauphin Lake as it flows north to Lake Winnipegosis and into Lake Manitoba.
• The Mossy River Dam, which is used to regulate levels on Dauphin Lake, has maintained maximum outflows for over two months.

Flood warning continues for The Pas and the RM of Kelsey areas

• Saskatchewan River levels in Manitoba are on the rise as Saskatchewan releases water from reservoirs and control structures to help ease the impacts of floodwaters entering Saskatchewan from Alberta.
• Water levels on the Saskatchewan River in The Pas area are expected to approach 2011 levels as floodwater from Alberta is moving faster than normal in the North Saskatchewan River east through Saskatchewan and into Manitoba.
• The flood crest in The Pas is expected in mid-July, depending on Saskatchewan flood control operations and weather conditions.
• The Ralls Island dike in The Pas is expected to handle projected levels as it was constructed to withstand floods greater than the 2011 flood.
• Manitoba’s forecast values for the Saskatchewan River at The Pas are based on the Saskatchewan Water Security Agency’s forecast flows on the Saskatchewan River.  Manitoba and Saskatchewan are working together and are in close communication to enable the province’s forecasters to provide up-to-date forecasts within Manitoba.
• The Saskatchewan Water Security Agency continues to release water from the Lake Diefenbaker and Tobin reservoirs to make room for floodwater from Alberta.  These steps will significantly reduce the natural flood peak in Manitoba.
• Outflows from the Lake Diefenbaker Reservoir are 81,000 cubic feet per second (cfs).  The outflow from Tobin Lake downstream of Saskatoon and Prince Albert stands at 134,000 cfs.

Assiniboine River

• Recent heavy rain in areas that flow into the Assiniboine and Souris rivers has resulted in increasing flows on the Assiniboine River at Portage la Prairie.
• To reduce agricultural damages along the Assiniboine River downstream of Portage la Prairie and to reduce the risk of basement flooding within Winnipeg along the Assiniboine River in the event of a severe thunderstorm, a portion of the Assiniboine River flows are being diverted via the Portage Diversion.
• As of this morning, 8,000 cfs is being maintained on the Assiniboine River downstream of Portage la Prairie and 4,000 cfs is being diverted into the Portage Diversion.
• A flow of 8,000 cfs will be maintained on the river over the long weekend and Portage Diversion operations will be reassessed early next week.

Overland flood warnings, high water advisories continue in central, western Manitoba

• Areas include the northwest, Interlake and southwest regions of Manitoba including Reston and low-lying lands around Dauphin as a result of recent heavy rain in Manitoba.
• Most rivers appear to be rising or cresting.
•     Additional forecast precipitation may cause streams to rise further or slow the recession of water levels.

Impacts on communities

• Provincial resources are being deployed as requested.
• There are 10 declared states of local emergency.

RM of Dauphin

• The RM of Dauphin declared a state of local emergency on June 26 for flood preparations and response.
• The Vermillion Park campground in the city of Dauphin was evacuated on June 26 and is flooded with approximately four ft. of water.  The park had been filled with campers attending Country Fest.
• The RM of Dauphin is reporting approximately 50 roads impacted by flooding.
• An evacuation centre has been opened at the RM of Dauphin municipal office.
• Sandbags are available at the municipal yard for RM of Dauphin residents.
• The RM of Dauphin reports six families have been evacuated primarily due to access issues.
• Stoney Point Beach campground in the RM of Dauphin was evacuated yesterday due to flooding. Two recreation vehicles were damaged.
• Approximately 16 people remain evacuated in the RM of Dauphin.

• The RM of Arthur declared a state of local emergency on June 26 for flood preparations and response.