November 18, 2005

Manitoba Water Stewardship reports that peak Lake Winnipeg levels for an anticipated wind event this evening and overnight are predicted to be at least two feet lower than Nov. 16. Environment Canada says a low-pressure system moving from northern Saskatchewan to northwestern Ontario will produce moderate southwesterly winds over the south basin of Lake Winnipeg today.

·         Wave action should be significantly less than Nov. 16.  No significant problems are anticipated for the flood-protection system.

·         According to the Environment Canada forecast, winds will shift to west 30 kilometres per hour this evening and to north 30 to 40 km near midnight.  Winds will die down by noon tomorrow.

·         The Nov. 16 event was the second significant storm for the Lake Winnipeg flood protection system.  The dikes withstood heavy wave action while protecting waterfront communities.

Lake Winnipeg levels this morning:

Without wind, the Lake Winnipeg level for today was 714.7 feet.

The long-term average wind-eliminated level for Nov. 18 is 713.2 feet. 

Peaks for recent wind events at Gimli:

Wind setup only            Estimate with wave uprush

Oct. 5, 2005                717.5 feet                     720-721 feet

Nov. 16, 2005             717.6                           720-721  

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