Manitoba Water Stewardship

The high water advisory for the Seine River has ended as river levels have declined significantly

A flood advisory remains in effect for Whiteshell Provincial Park. Lakes in the Whiteshell remain at near record high levels, creating serious problems for docks, boathouses and 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 at above desirable levels until mid July even with favourable weather from now on.

Logs have been removed from dams controlling levels in the Whiteshell in order to lower lake levels. Nevertheless lakes will decline very slowly due to the high runoff and high river flows resulting from persistent rains.

The level of Bird Lake in Nopiming Park continues to decline slowly but remains at a much above average level. A 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 crested at all points and has declined one foot at Emerson and half a foot at Winnipeg during the past 24 hours. A significant reduction in Assiniboine River flows due to diversions at Portage la Prairie has contributed to declining levels 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. Flows into the Red River Floodway had declined to 100 cubic feet per second (cfs) this morning and will decline to zero this afternoon. The total flow of the Red River at the Floodway Inlet this morning was 40,700 cfs. The normal flow at this time of year is about 2000 cfs.

The river level in downtown Winnipeg stood at 15.35 feet this morning, about nine feet above the normal summer level. The river is expected to decline to the walkway level of 8.5 feet by mid July based on favourable weather.

Flooding of some low-lying agricultural lands from Letellier to St. Jean should end before next weekend as levels are expected to decline quite rapidly. 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 was 28.4 feet above its normal summer level at Emerson this morning. 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 3925 cfs while the flow down the river at Portage La Prairie was 1540 cfs. The diversion flow will be maintained between 3000 and 4000 cfs until river levels in the Winnipeg area have subsided and the danger of sewer backup due to a heavy thunderstorm over the City is significantly reduced. 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 1410.45 feet with a spillway flow of 1650 cfs. The reservoir inflow this morning is estimated at 1350 cfs. The reservoir level, inflow and outflow are expected to subside this week 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. There has been no flow through the conduit since June 7. Conduit flows are expected to resume this week in order to maintain a total outflow of 1500 to 1600 cfs, and to reduce the reservoir water level.

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.