Archived News Releases

Media Bulletin - Manitoba

July 16, 2014

Summer Flood Bulletin #22



Assiniboine River - Portage Diversion

  • There have been 500 members of the Canadian Armed Forces, more than 400 staff from Manitoba Infrastructure and Transportation, 100 staff from other government departments and ‎
    120 Manitoba Hydro staff supporting flood-fighting efforts at the Hoop and Holler Bend and along the Portage Diversion, as well as helping the rural municipalities of Portage la Prairie, Cartier,
    St. François Xavier and Headingley prepare for high flows along the Assiniboine River dikes.  
  • In this area, there were more than 200 pieces of heavy equipment used to protect and strengthen core infrastructure including dikes, bridges and roads by moving 500,000 cubic metres of material including more than 110 trucks hauling more than 21,000 tonnes of rock and clay.
  • More than 47 excavators, 48 bulldozers, seven graders, 51 rock trucks and 47 other kinds of heavy equipment from the province have been used.
  • Flood-fighting efforts have also required the support from 41 heavy construction contractors and trucking companies.
  • Flows on the Assiniboine River at the Portage Diversion have crested and areexpected to decline slowly.
  • This morning, flows on the Assiniboine River into the Portage Reservoir were at 51,160 cubic feet per second (cfs).  Flows on the Portage Diversion are approximately 33,160 cfs and flows along the Assiniboine River dikes are 18,000 cfs.
  • It is expected the diversion will handle excess flows and 18,000 cfs will be maintained on the Assiniboine River between Portage la Prairie and Headingley until the second crest has passed.
  • The Hoop and Holler Bend remains ready to use for a controlled breach if an urgent situation arises.

Lake Manitoba

  • Lake Manitoba is forecast to peak at 814.8 feet by early August. 
  • Levels on Lake Manitoba this morning were 813.9 ft. at Steeprock and 814.6 ft. at Westbourne.  These water levels remain affected by recent strong winds on the lake.
  • In 2011, more water was sent through the Portage Diversion over a longer period of time than in 2014.  
  • The flow through the Portage Diversion in 2011 was 4.73 million acre-feet and is forecast to be 2.68 million acre-feet in 2014.  
  • In addition, water levels on Lake Manitoba were higher in the spring of 2011 (approximately
    814 ft.) than they were in the spring of 2014 (approximately 812.3 ft.).
  • Wind-eliminated and wind-affected inundation maps have been prepared for possible flood scenarioson Lake Manitoba and can be found at www.gov.mb.ca/mit/floodinfo/floodoutlook/watersheds_data_maps.html.
  • Provincial programs provided $15.3 million in grants to help landowners on Lake Manitoba undertake 277 permanent flood protection projects including protection for homes, cottages, farms and businesses.
  • In addition, $8.2 million in grants has been provided under the Lake Manitoba Financial Assistance Program for individual or co-operative flood protection measures on Lake Manitoba.

Interlake Region

  • The Fairford River Water Control Structure is fully operational.  Outflows from Lake Manitoba are approximately 13,450 cfs.  The forecast peak outflow, which will occur when Lake Manitoba reaches its peak water level, is approximately 15,800 cfs.
  • Levels on Lake St. Martin at Hilbre were 803.2 ft. this morning.
  • Outflow from Lake St. Martin through the Dauphin River was 11,820 cfs this morning and outflow through the Lake St. Martin Emergency Outlet Channel is estimated at approximately 4,500 cfs.
  • Levels on Lake Pinemuta were measured at 806.1 ft. yesterday.

Disaster Financial Assistance

  • Application forms and further details about the disaster financial assistance program in place for this year’s summer flood are available online at www.manitobaemo.ca or by contacting the Manitoba Emergency Measures Organization at 204‑945‑3050 in Winnipeg or 1-888-267-8298 (toll-free).  Applications are also available at most municipal offices.
  • Mobile recovery offices have visited several communities in the past week and will continue to be set up in the southwest area of Manitoba.  Staff are available to answer questions and take applications for disaster financial assistance.  In addition, the Canadian Red Cross and the Salvation Army will also have representatives on site.
    • Brandon – The office will be located on the east side of the Keystone Centre grounds on today and tomorrow from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
    • Pierson – The office will be located in front of the Rural Municipality of Edward office at
      58 Railway Ave. on Friday, July 18 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
    • Tilston – The office will be located in front of the Rural Municipality of Albert office on Tuesday, July 22 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
    • St-Lazare - The office will be located across from the Club Fort Ellice Leisure Centre at
      319 Main St. on Wednesday, July 23 and Thursday, July 24 from noon to 6 p.m.
  • A temporary Disaster Financial Assistance Recovery Office will be open to the public effective Monday, July 21 in Brandon.  The office will be open Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at 1601 Van Horne Ave. E and can be accessed from the entrance located on the south side of the building.  Staff will be available to answer inquiries and take applications.

General Information

  • As of this morning, approximately 625 people are evacuated from their homes and communities due to flooding in 2014 including 160 evacuees related to spring flooding.
  • Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada (AANDC) reported that as of today at noon, this number includes approximately 505 people evacuated from Manitoba First Nations due to flooding in June and July.  Of these, 347 evacuees have registered with the Manitoba Association of Native Fire Fighters and are receiving temporary hotel accommodations, while the others are staying with friends and family in their communities.
  • AANDC is in regular contact with First Nations communities, along with federal and provincial emergency management partners, to ensure community-level response activities are being supported.
  • Manitoba is providing updated river and lake level forecast information to First Nations communities, municipalities, Northern Affairs communities and emergency responders.
  • The province is working directly with municipalities to address flooding issues.  As of this morning, 44 municipalities and communities have declared a state of local emergency. 

Stress and Anxiety Resources

  • The scale and scope of the summer flood is very challenging for affected Manitoba families.  There are resources to help deal with the stress and anxiety that result from crisis situations.
  • Resources are available at www.gov.mb.ca/flooding/managing_stress.html

Road Information

  • Manitoba Infrastructure and Transportation reports sections of many provincial roads have been affected by the heavy rainfall and some roads are either closed or marked with caution.
  • Municipal roads may also be affected, closed or have load limitations in western Manitoba.  Drivers are reminded to assume bridges may be damaged on all roads.  Reduce speed and restrict weight to 10 tonnes.  Drive with caution and obey road closed signs.
  • Temporary repairs have started on the bridge at PR 3 and PR 83 over Graham Creek (just south of Melita) to restore the normal load capacity.  Contractors will soon be working at other sites as well.
  • For current highway conditions, call 511, visit www.manitoba.ca, www.mb511.ca or follow the Twitter account at www.twitter.com/MBGovRoads.

Up-to-date flood information can be found at www.gov.mb.ca/flooding/, on mobile devices at www.manitoba.ca or on Twitter at www.twitter.com/MBGov.

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