Manitoba Water Stewardship

Thunderstorms last night brought 25-50 mm of rain to many areas of southwestern Manitoba, mainly south of a line through St. Lazare and St. Rose du Lac. A band of 75-100 mm fell in the Lena and Cartwright areas of the Pembina River Watershed according to Environment Canada weather radar. Rainfall of 25-30 mm was recorded over parts of Winnipeg and east to the northern Whiteshell. Most of the Red River watershed from Fargo to Morris received little rain.

Environment Canada is predicting a chance of showers or thundershowers in southern Manitoba again this evening. Rainfall amounts could again be substantial in some areas of southern Manitoba. An unstable airmass may still produce some scattered thundershowers Tuesday afternoon. Little or no precipitation is expected from Wednesday to Friday.

A HIGH WATER LEVEL ADVISORY CONTINUES FOR WHITESHELL AND NOPIMING PROVINCIAL PARKS

HIGH WATER LEVEL ADVISORY CONTINUES FOR THE ASSINIBOINE RIVER FROM SHELLMOUTH TO MILLWOOD.

A HIGH WATER LEVEL ADVISORY CONTINUES FOR THE RED RIVER.

A FLASH FLOOD WATCH HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR THE UPPER PRMBINA WATERSHED FROM WAKOPA TO MATHER.

Eastern Manitoba:

A high water advisory remains in effect for Whiteshell and Nopiming Parks. Rainstorms this past weekend have added to runoff and will cause some further rises in lakes and streams.

The level of Bird Lake has declined by nearly 1.5 feet from its crest three weeks ago but could rise somewhat later this week if additional rain falls tonight as predicted.

Logs have been removed from most dams controlling levels in the Whiteshell. There is little further that can be done in terms of dam operations. Lakes in the Whiteshell began to decline last week but will rise somewhat this week as a result of recent rainstorms. Problems due to high lake levels are likely to persist at least until mid July even if the wet spell ends this Wednesday.

Lakes along the Winnipeg River are at near normal levels. Lake Of The Woods still remains below its average level for this time of year.

Red River Watershed:

A high water level advisory continues for the Red River.

The Red River rose about 0.5 feet from Emerson to Winnipeg during the 24 hour period ending this morning. The river level in downtown Winnipeg was 14.7 feet this morning, more than eight feet above the normal summer level, and is expected to crest between 15.5 and 16.0 feet in early July.

Intense downpours over the City of Winnipeg Saturday evening and again this morning have contributed substantially to the rise of the Red River in the Winnipeg area during the last few days. The rate of rise at Winnipeg is expected to diminish this week unless additional heavy rain develops.

The crest of the Red River is now approaching Drayton N.D. and should reach Emerson June 29 and the Winnipeg area July 3 based on normal weather conditions from now on.

Predicted crests for the Red River from Emerson to Morris have been revised downward by two feet due to less than expected flow coming from the United States. Predicted crests from Ste. Agathe to Selkirk are unchanged as local runoff will compensate for the lower flows coming from the south. Additional rises of 3.0 to 3.5 feet are expected from Emerson to The Floodway Inlet while further rises in the City of Winnipeg and points north are expected to range from 1.5 to 2.0 feet. This forecast is based on additional rainfall amounts of less than 20 mm during the next few days.

Flooding of some low-lying agricultural lands is still expected in the area from Letellier to St. Jean but elsewhere the river will remain within its banks. A small amount of water is expected to flow naturally into the Red River Floodway near the time of the crest.

A flood watch has been issued for a portion of the upper Pembina River watershed near the U.S. boundary from Lena to Mather. This area received up to 100 mm of rain last night according to Environment Canada weather radar. Localized flooding is underway and small streams are rising rapidly. Flooding is not expected along the mainstem of the Pembina River.

A flood sheet for the Red River is attached.

Assiniboine River:

A high water level advisory continues for the Assiniboine River from Shellmouth Dam to Millwood.

The Shellmouth Reservoir level, inflow and outflow changed very little during the 24 hour period ending this morning. There is a chance of rises developing due to possible rain tomorrow. The reservoir water level this morning was 1410.50 feet with a spillway flow of1770 cfs. Minor flooding of low-lying agricultural lands continues from Shellmouth Dam to PTH 16. Saskatchewan Water Authority continues to restrict outflows from Good Spirit Lake to reduce flows at Kamsack.

The reservoir inflow this morning is estimated at 1770 cfs including rain on the reservoir surface. There has been no flow through the conduit since 10 a.m. June 7.

The operating plan is to allow the outflow to decline to 1600 cfs before the conduit is opened to maintain the1600 cfs total outflow.

A flood sheet for the Assiniboine River is attached.

Northwest:

Streams in the Dauphin and Duck Mountain region are still running high but most are declining. Rises are likely to develop later this week due to anticipated rainfall during the next tow days. Localized flooding of low areas may develop.

Lake Winnipegosis is presently at its highest level since the mid 1950’s. Additional shoreline flooding could occur in low areas if strong winds develop during the next six weeks.

The level of Red Deer Lake remains very high but continues to decline.

Water levels remain very high in the Saskeram area west-northwest of The Pas. While no homes are flooded, there are continued difficulties with cattle due to flooded pastures.