Condition Reports

River Conditions and Forecast for Manitoba

April 28, 2008

Last Report:

This will be the last report distributed by e-mail this spring unless a flood threat develops due to heavy precipitation. A few additional updates may be posted to our web site, but not on a daily basis. If you require river flows please refer to our weekly river flow report which is issued on Fridays throughout the year. Click on “Current Weekly Flow Report” at the following address.

http://www.gov.mb.ca/waterstewardship/floodinfo/index.html

Weather:

The Whiteshell area received 15-25 mm of precipitation (water) last Saturday in the form of snow.

The weather forecast indicates the possibility of some precipitation this Wednesday to Thursday, mainly in western Manitoba with amounts likely ranging from 5 to 15 mm.

Assiniboine River:

A sheet showing river levels, flows and forecasts for the Assiniboine River is attached.

The Shellmouth Reservoir water level rose about one foot over the weekend and stood at 1402.4 feet this morning. Inflows to the reservoir are declining quite rapidly and as a result the outflow was reduced to 500 cfs at 12:20 p.m. this afternoon. The reservoir level is projected to crest at the desirable level of 1403.5 feet before mid May.  Assiniboine River levels will continue to decline slowly unless significant precipitation develops. The risk of flooding is now quite low.

Whiteshell:

The Whiteshell area finally received some significant precipitation over the weekend with close to a foot of new snow reported in many areas. The snow will melt gradually this week and will provide enough runoff to raise most lakes to their desirable summer level. The level of Falcon Lake may remain somewhat low despite the snow; measures have been taken recently to reduce outflows.

Other Areas:

Levels continue to rise slowly on the Saskatchewan River and the Carrot River at The Pas but are expected to soon stabilize or begin to decline later this week when the ice moves out. Flooding is not anticipated. Flows and levels of most rivers in southern Manitoba are declining but minor rises could develop this week in areas which received substantial snow last week as previously reported.

Hydrologic Forecast Centre
Regulatory and Operational Services,
Manitoba Water Stewardship