October 03, 2005

Churchill River – Crest at Granville Lake

 The flood advisory for the Churchill River continues due to record high levels on the river.

·         Levels from Granville Falls to Leaf Rapids are four to 4.5 feet higher than previous record crests set in 1997. 

·         The level at Pukatawagan declined a quarter foot over the weekend and should continue to decline as flows from Saskatchewan decrease.

·         The crest of the Churchill River is now believed to be at Granville Lake.

·         The level at Leaf Rapids rose an additional 0.3 feet over the weekend and is now expected to rise an additional 0.15 feet with a crest October 5 to 6.

·         The higher and later crest is largely due to 20 cm of snow over the weekend.  While much of the snow on land has not melted, the snowfall over the extensive river and lake areas has had an immediate effect on tributary flows and river levels.

·         Strong winds battered dikes in the area over the weekend.

·         Primary dikes continue to hold.  Some private dikes in the Leaf Rapids area have failed, however flooding of buildings should be avoided unless further precipitation develops and causes additional river rises.

·         Stress on dikes will continue to be high over the next few weeks.

·         Flooding on the Churchill River flood is affecting private air transportation, the fishery and recreation. 

·         The level of Southern Indian Lake is beginning to rise and currently stands at 847.2 feet.

The Pas Area

Flooding of lands in the Pasquia Valley continues to drop slowly but many crops and hay lands in the valley remain flooded.

·         The high level of the Saskatchewan River continues to slow drainage as the Knapp Dam has been closed to prevent back-flooding from the river.

·         Levels of the river are starting to drop, which may allow for some natural drainage late this week.

·         It is estimated that levels in most portions of the Pasquia have declined about 1.5 feet since the crest.

·         A further decline of close to 1.5 feet is expected this week.

·         The level of the Saskatchewan River at Ralls Island declined slightly over the weekend.  The crest was about three feet lower than July, 2005.

·         While flooding did not occur, the strong current and high levels continue to pose a problem for fishers and recreation.

·         Levels on the Carrot River have declined between 0.05 and 0.10 feet over the weekend. While flooding was avoided, levels continue to be at record highs for this time of year.

Further information is available web sit at http://www.gov.mb.ca/waterstewardship/

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