Manitoba Transportation and Infrastructure’s Hydrologic Forecast Centre is issuing a flood warning for the Assiniboine River between Shellmouth Dam and Brandon as a recent fast snowmelt is resulting in high flows in rivers and tributaries. A flood warning has been issued for these areas as the rising water levels could impact low-lying areas. The Assiniboine River is expected to be within the banks in the third week of April.
The Hydrologic Forecast Centre also advises that outflow from the Shellmouth Dam will increase to 3,000 cubic feet per second (cfs) from the current 1,000 cfs to accommodate a high flow coming from Saskatchewan. The current inflow into the lake is 6,355 cfs.
The Hydrologic Forecast Centre is also monitoring a precipitation system that is forecast to bring up to 40 millimetres (mm) of precipitation (rain/snow mix) into most parts of Manitoba, Saskatchewan and the United States portions of the Red River basin and tributaries sometime in the middle of next week. The precipitation system is not expected to bring a significant impact to most parts of southern and central Manitoba as flows and levels have already peaked in most rivers and streams. Updated flows and level forecasts and basin condition assessments will be provided once the exact location, amount and timing of the precipitation system is known.
The gates at the Portage Diversion are closed today after a brief operation to regulate ice-impacted water levels on the lower Assiniboine River downstream of Portage la Prairie.
As the melt continues and precipitation is expected in the coming week, river flows and levels are expected to fluctuate in the coming days. The ice on Manitoba’s lakes, rivers and creeks is weak. Ice conditions can change rapidly without warning and Manitobans are reminded to stay off the ice and take caution around water systems.
The Manitoba Emergency Management Organization (EMO) continues to work with all local authorities and emergency management partners to provide guidance and support in response to spring flooding. Additionally, Manitoba EMO continues to work with Indigenous Services Canada and Municipal and Northern Relations to support First Nation and Northern Affairs communities flood response.
Updated forecast information is available at www.manitoba.ca/floodinfo/.
