June 11, 2004
The threat of heavy rain over the Red River Valley has diminished somewhat but thunder showers remain a possibility later today. Many areas in western Manitoba have received 20 to 25 mm of rain. Some areas near Turtle Mountain and in the Souris River watershed received 35 to 45 mm. Some additional rain is expected in these areas today and tomorrow.
Due to the diminished threat of heavy rain and the sufficiently low river level in Winnipeg, the floodway gates will not be raised any further. Additional rises from the floodway inlet to Morris are expected to be between half a foot and one foot. The maximum level upstream of the control structure will be 756.3 feet. Levels in downtown Winnipeg will be between 9.5 feet and 11 feet for about a week and will then decline gradually to normal summer levels if the weather remains favourable. The normal summer level downtown is 6.3 feet.
Roseau River
Levels of the Roseau River should continue to decline although a small temporary rise is possible.
Red River
Red River levels in Winnipeg declined by about five feet since yesterday with the Red River Floodway operation. Levels south of the floodway control structure had risen 6.5 feet as of 10 a.m. this morning. The level at St. Adolphe had risen close to five feet and at Ste. Agathe close to 2.5 feet since yesterday morning. With a forecast of less than 20 mm, flooding is not expected on tributaries of the Red River.
Winnipeg River
The Winnipeg River level at Nutimik Lake has declined slightly to 905.8 feet but may rise back to 906 feet by early next week. Rainfall from this storm is not expected to be substantial over the watershed which will keep the level down. The normal summer level at Nutimik is 901 feet.
Other Streams
The Souris River continues to rise and flooding is underway in the Coulter area. Additional rises of several feet are expected as a result of the present rainstorm. However, flooding is not expected from Melita to Wawanesa.
Stream levels in the Turtle Mountain area will rise significantly as a result of this rainstorm on the upper Pembina River, Turtlehead Creek and Waskada Creek. Tributaries of the Souris River in Manitoba may rise somewhat but should remain well within their banks.
Significant rain of 15 to 25 mm has fallen over the upper Assiniboine River and the Duck Mountain area. While streams will rise, flooding is not anticipated. Outflows from Shellmouth Reservoir were increased to 1,200 cubic feet per second on June 9 as a precaution. Shellmouth Reservoir is at 1,406.5 feet which is two feet below the spillway. Dauphin Lake may rise slightly more to 855.7 or so due to the rain. Outflows from the lake remain at the maximum possible.
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