November 17, 2014
Province Issues Fall Freeze-up Advisories
– – –Localized Frazzil Ice Flooding at Waterhen, Dauphin River Frazil Ice
Waterhen
A frazil ice jam on the Waterhen River from where the river enters Lake Manitoba all the way north to the PR 328 bridge in Waterhen has caused localized flooding. Water continues to rise.
- Seven permanent residences were reported to have water under homes and in crawl spaces. Fourteen cottages were reported to have water under structures and in crawl spaces.
- Ten people left their homes and were staying in the community with family or friends. Three people remain in their homes within the evacuation area.
- A state of local emergency is in place. Security is in place for the evacuation zone.
- At this time, there are no ranches affected by flooding.
- Permanent dike infrastructure, including those recently constructed to protect the school and council building, are holding well. Some lower private dikes have been overtopped.
- The community has built temporary earthen dikes in the Williams subdivision.
- Local public works and fire department crews are pumping water from inside the private residence dikes.
- Manitoba Emergency Measures Organization, Manitoba Infrastructure and Transportation, Manitoba Aboriginal and Northern Affairs and the Office of the Fire Commissioner are assisting as requested.
- Frazil ice is created by an unusual combination of weather conditions. High river levels are causing water to move very quickly, preventing the usual surface ice cover from forming.
- At the same time, the recent onset of cold weather is cooling the water below freezing temperatures and creating slush. This moving slush can form plugs in the river and become lodged in shallower areas of the river, causing a jamming and surging effect, forcing water to back up and rise.
Dauphin River
Frazil ice is causing high river levels on the Dauphin River near Lake St. Martin.
- At this time, the rebuilt sections of PR 513 continue to provide access for residents.
- At this time, no homes have been impacted by high water. However, water levels have not stabilized.
Thin Ice
A thin ice advisory for rivers and lakes in southern Manitoba has been issued until full freeze-up.
- Many rivers and lakes in southern Manitoba are still in the process of freezing over, ice is still thin and larger rivers still have open water in some areas.
- Snowmobilers, skiers and others are advised not to venture onto rivers and lakes due to the danger of falling through thin ice.
- Thin ice or frazil ice is often covered by snow, which produces weak spots due to its insulating effect.
- Areas of fast flowing water tend to have thin ice which may not be visible.
- Once full ice cover is achieved, levels of the Red River and other rivers in southern Manitoba are not expected to change much during the rest of the winter.
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