October 16, 2015
Province Advises Winter Operation of Fairford Control Structure
– – –Operation to help Control Potential Ice Damages Downstream on the Dauphin River
Manitoba Infrastructure and Transportation will conduct a winter operation of the Fairford Control Structure to control potential ice damages in downstream communities on the Dauphin River. This will help reduce the flow of the Dauphin River during the transition from open water to a solid ice cover, reducing the frazil ice flood threat that occurs from the start of freeze-up to completion.
The purpose of reducing outflow from Lake Manitoba through the Fairford River is to reduce flows on the Dauphin River, which is located downstream of Lake St. Martin. Lower flows on the Dauphin River reduce the potential for frazil ice to develop, which could result in ice jam-related flooding of communities located on the Dauphin River downstream of Lake St. Martin. The Fairford flow setting will provide Lake Manitoba with a continued decline in levels while helping to reduce the potential impacts of frazil ice downstream.
Flows will be reduced starting next early week, to 5,000 cubic feet per second (cfs) from the current flow of approximately 6,000 cfs. Lake Manitoba is currently at 811.9 feet above sea level, which is within the desired operating range.
This year, flows will be reduced from mid-October to mid-January and then will be opened again to full discharge should conditions permit. Manitoba Infrastructure and Transportation will be continuously monitoring conditions on both the river and lakes, and will make further adjustments as required to manage water levels.
- 30 -