Manitoba Water Stewardship

A high water advisory continues for the Seine River from Dufresne to PTH 59. While the river has crested, low lying areas along the river will be flooded for a few more days.

A flood advisory remains in effect for Whiteshell Provincial Park. Lakes in the Whiteshell remain at near record high levels, creating serious problems for boathouses, some low-lying cottages. Some campgrounds are partially flooded and there is water over some roads in the area. While little further rise is expected on most lakes, levels will remain high until mid July even with favourable weather from now on.

Logs have been removed from dams controlling levels in the Whiteshell. Additional logs were removed from White Lake Dam Wednesday and Jessica Lake Dam Friday and removal of more logs will be attempted today.

The level of Bird Lake in Nopiming Park continues to decline slowly despite significant rainfall during the past 10 days. However the high water level advisory remains in effect for southern portions of the Park.

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.

A high water level advisory continues for the Red River.

The Red River has now reached its crest at all points from Emerson to Breezy Point. Levels during the past 24 hours have remained steady or declined slightly. The crest has occurred somewhat earlier than expected due to a quick decline in most Manitoba tributaries. A significant decline in Assiniboine River flows due to diversions at Portage la Prairie has contributed to a lower and earlier crest in the Winnipeg area. Without operation of the Portage Diversion, river levels in the City of Winnipeg would be about one foot higher than recorded this morning. Approximately 650 cubic feet per second (cfs), was flowing naturally into the Red River Floodway channel this morning. The total flow of the Red River at the Floodway Inlet this morning was 42,100 cfs.

The river level in downtown Winnipeg stood at 15.91 feet this morning, 9.5 feet the normal summer level. A gradual decline in levels is expected although it is possible that rainfall during the next few days may temporarily stop the decline. With normal weather conditions the river level in downtown Winnipeg is expected to decline to the Forks walkway level by July 20 and to the normal summer level by the end of July.

Flooding of some low-lying agricultural lands from Letellier to St. Jean will continue for another week or so. Flooding is not expected elsewhere. The high levels on the Red River are having a significant impact on recreation and area affecting navigation at St. Andrews Dam.

The Red River is presently 29.4 feet above its normal summer level at Emerson. This is the third largest summer flood on the Red River. The summer flood of 2005 was the largest and that of 2002 was the second largest.

The Portage Diversion continues to be operated to reduce flows on the Assiniboine River from Portage la Prairie to Winnipeg. The Diversion flow this morning was 4160 cfs while the flow down the river at Portage La Prairie was 1260 cfs. The diversion flow will be maintained at about 4000 cfs until about July 12 based on normal weather conditions. While the diversions will raise the level of Lake Manitoba one-tenth of a foot, the lake is expected to remain within its desirable range of 810.5-812.5 feet.

The Shellmouth Reservoir water level this morning was 1410.42 feet with a spillway flow of 1600 cfs. The reservoir level, inflow and outflow are expected to begin subsiding this weekend based on little precipitation. Flooding along the Assiniboine River downstream of the dam to PTH 16 is now very minimal with water in oxbows only.

The reservoir inflow this morning is estimated at 1500 cfs. There has been no flow through the conduit since 10 a.m. June 7. Conduit flows may resume on July 3, 2007 unless significant precipitation develops.

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.

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.