July 13, 2020
Onsite Investigations, Engineering Assessment at Provincial Dam at Rivers Restores Confidence in the Structure
– – –Evacuated Residents Can Return Home: Schuler
Onsite investigations using probes and water level monitoring below the spillway on the provincial dam at Rivers shows no substantial damage at this time and the Manitoba government has now regained confidence in the structure, Infrastructure Minister Ron Schuler announced today.
“We thank the people who evacuated for their understanding and we are pleased to report they can now return home,” said Schuler. “The engineering assessment based on current conditions shows no substantial amount of damage to the dam from record flows over the past two weeks.”
Record rains resulted in very high water levels on the Little Saskatchewan River impacting the municipalities of Riverdale, Whitehead and Cornwallis and the City of Brandon.
Manitoba Emergency Measures Organization staff will be in contact with municipalities on safe return procedures for residents. As a precaution, provincial officials continue to monitor the dam 24 hours until water levels recede further. The province continues its recommendation that all use of Lake Wahtopanah be suspended until water levels recede further.
“We thank municipal officials for their tremendous effort and co-operation during this most challenging time,” said Schuler. “We also thank provincial staff and onsite crews for their tireless efforts to co-ordinate this response.”
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