Condition Reports

River Conditions and Forecast for Manitoba

April 24, 2008

 

Weather:

The present storm system produced 10-20 mm of precipitation (snow and freezing rain) southeast of a line through Deloraine, Macgregor and Gimli. However it appears there was little precipitation in southeast of a line through Emerson, Steinbach and Pinawa.

A second storm is expected to move north through Minnesota tomorrow night and Saturday, producing significant precipitation to the Winnipeg River watershed in Ontario. It is possible that the Whiteshell area will receive some much needed precipitation from this storm.

Runoff:

The new snowfall is expected to melt during the next 2-3 days and most of the moisture will soak into the ground. Little runoff is expected and river rises should be minimal.

Assiniboine River:

The Assiniboine River has crested at all points. However the additional precipitation may cause minor rises (less than one foot) from Portage la Prairie to Winnipeg this weekend or early next week. A sheet showing river levels, flows and forecasts is attached.

The Shellmouth Reservoir water level rose about 0.5 feet again during the past 24 hours and stood at 1400.99 feet this morning. Inflows to the reservoir will begin are declining significantly but it appears that there will be enough runoff to raise the reservoir to near 1404 feet by mid May. The outflow of 800 cfs will be maintained until next Monday at which time an update forecast will be presented to the Regulation Liaison Committee and a decision made as to a possible change.