FRANCAIS

April 11, 2006

The rain received overnight is not expected to significantly affect current flood forecasts. Rainfall during the past 24 hours was generally less than five mm, although a few areas received 10 mm in thundershowers.

The area from Riding Mountain to Swan River and some points in the Interlake received 10 to 15 mm of rain, which will add somewhat to crests in these regions.

Little additional precipitation is expected for the rest of the week but there is still a chance of significant rain on Easter Sunday through Monday.

Red River

·         Levels of the Red River rose about half a foot at most rural points in the 24-hour period ending this morning. The river is now close to 10 km wide at points from Emerson to Morris.

·         The crest has just passed Drayton, N.D., and should reach Emerson on April 14 and Winnipeg on April 20. There is little change in the forecast and crests are expected to be similar to those of 1996.

·         The Red River level in downtown Winnipeg this morning was 18.86 feet, a rise of about half a foot since yesterday. This rise is due mainly to the Assiniboine River, which is experiencing a small crest in the Winnipeg area today due to ice floes at Portage la Prairie a few days ago. Normal summer levels are approximately 6.5 feet in downtown Winnipeg.

·         Levels in the city will be steady or will fall slightly for the next few days and will then begin to rise slowly until the next Red River crest.  

·         A second crest of 19 to 19.5 feet is expected on April 20 based on little additional precipitation. Since this crest is lower than that of 20.35 feet observed on April 7, no significant difficulties are currently anticipated in the city. This crest could be somewhat higher if heavy rain falls on the Easter weekend.

·         The flow in the Red River Floodway this morning was 26,700 cubic feet per second (cfs) while the flow upstream of the floodway inlet was 69,400 cfs.

·         Minor flooding may occur in the Breezy Point area starting late this week, but otherwise flooding is not expected north of Winnipeg

Assiniboine River

·         A small crest on the Assiniboine River is presently in the Headingley area. Levels from Portage la Prairie to Winnipeg will subside in the next few days due to operation of the Portage Diversion. The inflow to Portage Reservoir this morning was 11,700 cfs, of which 6,700 cfs was being diverted to Lake Manitoba. 

·         Minor flooding may occur on the Assiniboine River in the Virden to Brandon area later this week as the crest from the upper Assiniboine River arrives.  

·         The water level in the Shellmouth Reservoir is rising but there is capacity to absorb spring run-off and prevent flooding from Shellmouth to Miniota.

Souris River

·         Minor flooding of farmlands in the Souris River valley from Coulter to Melita will continue for two to three weeks. The river has crested at Melita and little further rise is expected at downstream points.  

Pembina River

·         Significant flooding continues on the Pembina River from Rock Lake to Windygates.

·         The crest is presently in the Swan Lake area and should reach La Riviere early Thursday.

·         Some overflows may occur at the boundary in the Gretna area and the town dike closure will be made if necessary. Minor flooding may develop in the Halbstadt area and precautions are being taken. The situation is being monitored closely.

·         Flooding on smaller watersheds in the Red River Valley is subsiding except in the northern Morris River and in the headwaters of the La Salle River where minor additional rises may occur.

Interlake

·         Run-off is underway in the Interlake area but flooding is relatively minor due to the gradual melt of the past few weeks.

·         The Fisher River appears to have crested at Peguis Reserve with only minor over-bank flows and minimal flooding.

Whitemud and Turtle Rivers

·         The Whitemud River watershed is experiencing flooding of low-lying agricultural lands as recent mild weather has accelerated run-off. A few homes are being diked as a precaution. Crests are expected this week in most areas.

·         The Turtle River is being watched closely to determine whether a dike closure may be necessary at St. Rose.

·         Crests are expected this week in the Westlake region.

Central and Northern Manitoba

·         Run-off is now getting underway in areas from the Riding Mountain to The Pas. The Swan River is rising close to flood stage and some precautionary diking is underway at Swan River.

·         Flooding could develop in this region later this week, especially if mild weather continues as forecasted. Flooding of towns or individual homes is not expected in this region unless ice jams develop. However, there may be some access problems later this week due to flooded roads at the Swan Lake First Nation.

·         The Amphibex is currently at the Saskatchewan River to break ice to reduce the chances of ice jamming at Rall’s Island.

·         Diking is underway on the Carrot River at The Pas to address predicted crest levels on the Easter weekend.

Boating Safety

·         All operators of boats and personal watercraft should avoid flooded rivers and streams in Manitoba. Unpredictable currents, floating debris and submerged obstacles make flooded waterways unsafe for recreational boating.

·         There are restrictions to navigation caused by the operation of the floodway gates south of Winnipeg as well as the potential for turbulent waters at or near the outlet structure north of Winnipeg. Caution should be exercised at all provincial water control structures.

Road Closures

·         PTH 75 remains closed from the Perimeter Highway at Winnipeg to PTH 14 south of Morris. The alternate route detour for truck and through-vehicle traffic travelling to U.S. I-29 will be PTH 3 and PTH 14.

·         Many provincial highways and roads in southeastern Manitoba are currently affected by overland flooding. Motorists are advised to check road conditions before travelling.

·         Road closure information is updated 24 hours a day and posted on the provincial website at http://www.gov.mb.ca/roadinfo or call 204-945-3704 or 1-877-MBRoads (1-877-627-6237).

General Information

·         As a precautionary measure, the Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health for Manitoba advises that all people using water from wells or other sources that may be affected by flooding should boil their water before using it or find alternative supplies of drinking water until flooding subsides.

·         For further information, visit http://www.gov.mb.ca/flood.  

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