June 15, 2004

Manitoba Water Stewardship reports the Red River Floodway is still in operation to reduce river levels in the City of Winnipeg.  The floodway gates are not being adjusted this week.  Levels at all points along the Red River are declining slowly due to decreasing river flows.

Red River Floodway Emergency Operation

The lowering of the floodway gates will start when the level in downtown Winnipeg has declined to eight feet.

·         Levels upstream (south) of the floodway will then continue to fall while levels in Winnipeg are maintained near eight feet.

·         The level upstream of the flood control structure was at 755.7 feet this morning and is expected to decline about one-third of a foot per day for most of this week.

·         With normal precipitation, floodway flows should end next week.  Levels in Winnipeg will gradually decline to the summer level of 6.3 feet by late June.

Forecast

A significant rainfall with thundershowers is expected across southeastern Manitoba this afternoon and evening.

·         The heaviest rainfall amounts of 10 to 15 mm are expected in a band from Pilot Mound to Winnipeg to Pinawa.

·         Local heavier amounts are possible if heavy thunderstorms develop.

·         This rain is not expected to have a significant effect on river levels.

·         The lower river level in Winnipeg should significantly reduce the chance of sewer back‑up if a heavy thunderstorm were to develop over the city.

Red River

·         Levels of the Red River fell about half a foot from Ste. Agathe to Winnipeg in the 24-hour period ending this morning.  Levels from Emerson to St. Jean fell about one foot.

·         Levels will continue to decline unless heavy rain develops.

·         The level in downtown Winnipeg was 9.6 feet this morning.

·         The river is expected to fall to The Forks walkway level of 8.5 feet by Friday, June 18.

Winnipeg River

·         Levels of the Winnipeg River rose slightly to 906.1 feet at Nutimik Lake since yesterday.  Levels will likely remain between 906 and 906.5 feet for the next few weeks.

Souris River

·         Levels of the Souris River continue to rise slowly.  Additional rain in the area last evening and this morning has resulted in further releases from North Dakota.  It appears that flooding of hay lands in the Coulter areas will continue well into July.

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