Manitoba Water Stewardship

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

A high water advisory remains in effect for Whiteshell Provincial Park and southern Nopiming Park where lakes remain at unusually high levels, creating serious problems for docks, boathouses and some low-lying cottages. Additional showers occurred in the area this morning. Some campgrounds are partially flooded and there is water over some roads in the area. Most lakes are beginning to decline very slowly but levels will remain at above the desirable range 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.

Lakes along the Winnipeg River have risen to somewhat above average levels during the last few days but remain within the desirable range. Lake Of The Woods is slowly recovering from the unusually low levels of last year.

A high water level advisory continues for the Red River.

The Red River crested at all points in Manitoba last Friday to Saturday and has declined several feet at Emerson during the past few days. The level in downtown Winnipeg crested at 16.1 feet late last week and had declined to 15 feet this morning. The normal summer level is in Winnipeg is 6.4 feet. With normal July weather, the level in Winnipeg is expected to decline to the Forks walkway level of 8.5 feet by the middle of July.

Flows and levels in the Winnipeg area continue to be reduced by diversions of the Assiniboine River at Portage la Prairie. Without operation of the Portage Diversion, river levels in the City of Winnipeg in recent days would be about one foot higher than recorded. The lower levels are reducing the chance of sewer backup in the event of a heavy thundershower over the City. A small natural flow into the Red River Floodway ended due to the decline in Red River levels. The total flow of the Red River at the Floodway Inlet this morning was 39,500 cfs, still much above the normal flow of 2000 cfs at this time of year.

Flooding of some low-lying agricultural lands from Letellier to St. Jean should end later this week 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 still 27.3 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 unchanged at 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 1410.07 feet with a spillway flow of 1200 cfs based on a manual reading by MIT staff. The level reported in recent days has been incorrect as the automated gauge was not functioning properly. 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. The flow at Shellmouth bridge downstream of the reservoir this morning was1600 cfs, significantly higher than the reservoir outflows, due to local inflows downstream of the dam. Conduit flows will commence once the flow at the bridge has declined below 1500 cfs. The object is to maintain a total outflow of 1500 to 1600 cfs to reduce the reservoir water level. There has been no flow through the conduit since June 7.

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.