Manitoba Water Stewardship

Province of Manitoba » Water Stewardship » Water Information » Reports, Studies, Plans and Publications » Update of the Manitoba Government Response to The Manitoba Water Commission Recommendations

Reports, Studies, Plans and Publications

Update of the Manitoba Government Response to The Manitoba Water Commission Recommendations
(September, 1999)

Water Commission Recommendation	Implementation Status	Time Frame for Implementation
1. Impacts on residents south of the Floodway gates created through the operation of the Floodway in 1997 should be given due consideration.	Done.
2. The Red River Floodway Program of Operation should be reviewed and revised for emergency operations by the Province of Manitoba in full consultation with the Government of Canada and the affected municipalities, including the City of Winnipeg, and residents of the Valley.	An inter-jurisdictional committee was formed to undertake the review and is drafting a report.	A final report is anticipated in December 1999.
3. In calculating the natural water surface elevation in the area immediately south of the Floodway, the effect of the West Dike as well as any effect from the Seine River Diversion should be taken into consideration.	Effects of the West Dike and Seine R. diversion on water levels south of the Floodway inlet have been included in a recently developed flood-routing model. See #9.
4. Access to residences immediately upstream of the Floodway inlet during floods should be improved by raising access roads where appropriate, but only after an investigation of the potential impacts has been undertaken.	Forecasting the dates when access roads will be submerged and the effects of road raising on water levels can be done using the flood-routing model.
5. The Province and City of Winnipeg should report all flood water elevations, including those at James Avenue in Winnipeg, as feet above sea level.	Not yet implemented.	Discussions with data users are ongoing.
6. The Province should investigate the feasibility of expanding the capacity of the Red River Floodway.	In partnership with the provincial government and the City of Winnipeg, the IJC is undertaking a flood risk analysis of Winnipeg. Enhanced flood protection is part of the analysis.	Anticipated completion is the fall of 1999.
7. The feasibility of removing the south bank of the Floodway Channel in the vicinity of Grande Pointe to lower flood levels in that area should be investigated further.	Not yet implemented.	Over the next 2-3 years.
8. Considering the strategic importance of the flood control infrastructure to the City of Winnipeg and the Province, all necessary maintenance and upgrading should be carried out as soon as reasonably possible. In addition, a formal maintenance program with dedicated funding should be developed and implemented.	Maintenance and upgrading of the flood control infrastructure in the City of Winnipeg is underway.	Over the next 2-5 years.
9. It is recommended that, possibly in conjunction with the International Joint Commission, the Province model the Red River from the U.S border to Lake Winnipeg, including the Red River Floodway, for extreme flood conditions. The intent of the modelling would be to determine the effects and consequences of the operation of the Floodway and to assist in future emergency planning. The modelling should be conducted for a range of flow conditions that should include an updated estimate for the maximum probable flood.	A mathematical (hydrodynamic) flood-routing model for the Red River valley has been developed under the IJC’s study of the Red River basin.
10. The function that the West Dike is intended to perform as a fail-safe under extreme conditions - by allowing floodwaters to enter the La Salle River system before excessively high water can cause damage to the Floodway Control Structure - should be considered when planning any extension to the West Dike.	Having the West Dike perform as a fail-safe remains an operational consideration during extreme floods.	Ongoing.
11. The Manness and Domain drains through the West Dike should be equipped with gate controls so that more effective and timely drainage can be achieved.	Construction of gate controls on the Manness and Domain drains has been completed.
12. The Province should determine the amount of crop reduction on the farmland affected by the West Dike and give this impact due consideration.	Manitoba Agriculture has prepared a report on the impact of delayed drainage on crop yields in the Manness and Domain drain watersheds. Consideration is being given to compensation for unseeded portions of fields in these areas.
13. The Province should conduct a review of the regulation of water levels on Lake Manitoba in consideration with the various resource users.	A commitment to undertake a review has been made.	Over the next 8-10 months.
14. The Province should re-examine the Lake Manitoba Supply Canal with a view toward augmenting water availability on the Assiniboine River and as a possible ancillary control for regulating Lake Manitoba.	An updated cost estimate of the Lake Manitoba Supply Canal project has been provided to the Assiniboine River Management Advisory Board.	Long-term planning of the water supply along the Assiniboine River is ongoing.
15. The need for, and availability of, high-capacity gasoline or diesel-powered pumps to meet the requirements of flood-bound communities should be recognized in the development of Manitoba Emergency Management Organization emergency preparedness plans.	Done. Back-up pumps are in storage. The community diking program is addressing internal pump requirements	Ongoing.
16. A comprehensive risk analysis should be conducted and used as the basis for all future flood planning, including any flood-proofing. The study should include an updating of the flood frequency relationship for all locations within the Red River Valley and the determination of appropriate return periods to be used as a basis for design of flood infrastructure.	Flood frequencies have been updated and the IJC’s Red River Task Force has initiated a "risk analysis study".	It is anticipated that the study will be completed in November 1999.
17. An analysis using an appropriate modelling tool should be carried out to determine the overall impact of newly planned infrastructure in the Valley on water elevations and flow patterns. Final designs should be developed in accordance with the findings.	Underway.	Ongoing.
18. Using modelling techniques for assistance, a policy should be developed for the construction and reconstruction of highways, roads, bridges and railroads in the Valley.	Underway.	Ongoing.
19. The Province should continue to have the flexibility to cut roads and other embankments as deemed advisable. These decisions should normally be made in the field on an "as required" basis.	This is an endorsement of current practice.	Ongoing.
20. The number of staff dedicated to flood forecasting in Manitoba should be increased.	Two positions in flood forecasting and one position in hydrologic support for flood management were filled as of January 1999.
21. Efforts must be made to preserve the existing hydrometric network, and as far as possible, enhance it, so that the information required for flood forecasting is available when needed.	Canada and Manitoba have agreed to each contribute approximately $500K over the next three years to upgrade the hydrometric network.	1999 – 2000
22. The level of coordination between the U.S. forecasting centre and Canadian forecasting efforts should be increased. This would help to ensure that the information received by Manitoba forecasters is both timely and accurate. The feasibility of establishing a joint Canada-U.S. forecast centre should be investigated.	Establishing a Canada-U.S. flood forecasting centre is considered impractical. The formation of a Canada-U.S. flood forecasting liaison committee is being considered.
23. The Manitoba Water Commission supports the International Joint Commission's proposal concerning the development of a dynamic flood forecasting model for the Red River Basin.	See #9.
24. A forecasting system needs to be developed specifically for the Grande Pointe area that considers the potential for Red River water to contribute to the flooding through overland flow. Similar modelling approaches are also required for Ste. Agathe and for the area upstream of the floodway entrance.	Done.	Ongoing.
25. Effective means of communicating flood forecasts to all individuals in the Valley must be in place well in advance of the arrival of the flood peak. It is particularly important that people have ready access to site-specific flood forecast information so that individuals are aware of the conditions that they are likely to experience.	Communications systems and methods are continuing to evolve in consultation with residents and flood fighters.	Ongoing.
26. Forecast and current water level information should be expanded to facilitate emergency planning in different localities, including the tributaries of the Red River. The peak water level is undoubtedly the single most important piece of information required by residents of the Valley and can be better predicted through the use of a dynamic flood forecasting model (See Recommendation #23). Information regarding the date on which road access to different areas will be lost due to inundation is also very important.	Underway.	Ongoing.
27. Greater public education is needed to enhance the understanding of the concept of a lower decile, median and upper decile forecast. It may be prudent to either provide one forecast value or to ensure that users understand and know how to use the forecast range that is currently given.	Explanation and implications of future ‘favourable’, ‘normal’ or ‘unfavourable’ precipitation and melting conditions are included in reports where a range of flood forecasts is provided--with less emphasis on the equivalent--lower, median and upper decile concept.	Ongoing.
28. The City of Winnipeg should formally apply to the diking Commissioner to have all extensions of the primary diking system for Winnipeg officially approved as part of the overall primary line of defense.	The City has been requested to seek ‘approval-in-principle’ from the provincial diking Commissioner covering all proposed changes to the primary diking system regardless of the status of the city’s plans, easements or land acquisition.	Ongoing.
29. The City of Winnipeg should carry out the necessary studies and take action to bring secondary dikes in the City to appropriate levels and ensure that they are maintained at these levels, clear of obstacles, in the future. The City and the Province will need to investigate what amendments are required to the City of Winnipeg Act to achieve this action.	A study has been initiated. It has been determined that no legislative amendments would be required.	The study is expected to take until the fall of 2000 to complete.
30. The diking Commissioner should ensure that the City of Winnipeg carries out all future development in accordance with the flood-proofing requirements of the relevant legislation.	This is the current practice that will be continuing.	Ongoing.
31. MEMO should update its Provincial Emergency Plan and review it on an annual basis. As part of this Provincial strategy, an Integrated Flood Plan should be developed which addresses all of the issues, activities and policies inherent in such a plan.	Done. Manitoba's Emergency Plan and guidelines have been completed. A system for annual review of the plans is in place.	Ongoing.
32. The Province, in consultation with municipal authorities, should develop a comprehensive emergency measures operations and procedures training program for local elected leaders and municipal officials.	Done.	Ongoing.
33. The Province should clearly define the roles of all participants in a flood emergency such as MEMO, other government departments, the Military, local governments, the RCMP and others, and describe the operating relationships and command structure.	Done and included in Manitoba's Emergency Plan. Information is shared with local authorities.
34. Manitoba Emergency Measures Organization should develop guidelines which would allow certain individuals to remain to protect their homes and property inside an emergency evacuation area. The guidelines should take into consideration health and safety factors as well as the degree of experience and preparedness of the individual to deal with the situation.	Done and included in Manitoba's Emergency Plan.
35. The Province should assure municipalities of reimbursement according to a formula based on flood forecasts and the required level of response for that forecasted level.	Done--training regarding disaster financial assistance guidelines was provided.
36. The Province should develop a comprehensive database in a central registry that can be readily shared with municipalities. This database should be tied to a G.I.S. system and include data such as building elevations, type of enterprise, flood protection elevations, number of residents and other relevant information. This would allow for quick response in preparedness as well as post-flood planning. The area covered should be the geographic area consistent with a flood the magnitude of that experienced in 1826 and extend from Emerson to Lake Winnipeg.	The IJC has commissioned the development of a comprehensive, distributed database. The concept of a central data registry has been dismissed as unworkable. Access to the distributed database will be via the internet.	It is anticipated that the database will be operational in the fall of 1999.
37. The Province should prepare guidelines describing the circumstances under which the Province would assume responsibility for emergency management from the local municipality.	Done and included in Manitoba's Emergency Plan.
38. Military assistance should be requested earlier and should be available longer, at least until civilian teams have had the opportunity to become fully operational.	Department of National Defense policy addresses deployment of military forces (all provincial resources must be depleted).
39. MEMO coordinated flood recovery centres should be set up as soon as physically possible after re-entry and staffed by pre-trained personnel capable of handling interviews, application forms and other aspects of the process. Local administrators should also be present where necessary.	Done.	Ongoing.
40. An advisory team of professionals such as structural and geotechnical engineers, architects, financial counsellors, trauma specialists, health inspectors and other appropriate professionals should be established at recovery centres to provide advice and assist homeowners in making informed, educated decisions where required.	Done. Recovery centres will be established at time of incident.	Ongoing.
41. Adjusters and inspectors should work out of the flood recovery centres and have their activities coordinated and prioritized locally to increase efficiency.	Done.	Ongoing.
42. Complete disaster assistance programs with a "one-window" approach should be developed in advance of the need and be administered out of the local flood recovery centres.	Done.	Ongoing.
43. The information on what to do after a flood needs to be consolidated into an accurate and concise handbook covering every aspect of a flood victim's concern - accessing safe water supplies, choosing disinfectants, testing for mould, and all aspects of clean-up and restoration.	Done.
44. All the municipalities in the flooded area that presently have development plans under the Planning Act should review these plans in terms of floodplain zoning. Emphasis should be placed on flood damage prevention based on the results of the risk analysis to be used as a basis for flood-proofing and flood infrastructure development.	Underway.	Ongoing.
45. Legislated requirements related to land use and flood protection levels within the affected municipalities must be enforced by the Province.	Underway.	Underway.
46. All applications for residential subdivisions between the Floodway gates and Ste. Agathe, and for areas within Winnipeg lying outside of the primary diking system, should be held in abeyance and considered for approval only after completion of a risk analysis and hydraulic modelling of flood elevations along the Red River.	Required studies are underway--sub-divisions are subject to individual approval where flood susceptibility is considered.	Ongoing.
47. All existing flood-proofing and disaster assistance programs need to be re-examined and should be redesigned in consultation with the people impacted by the program. Alternatives such as a buy-out option and relocation option should be addressed.	Program examination is ongoing and adjustments are made as necessary. A mitigation strategy is underway.	Ongoing.
48. If a buy-out or relocation option is exercised then the Province should retain the property and zone it as green space or for other appropriate non-residential uses.	Recommendation is good and implementation will be considered.	Ongoing.
49. The Provincial and Federal governments should consider making research grants available for the development of flood-proofing technologies, ideas and concepts including the development of innovative building designs.	Research grant applications will be considered on a case by case basis.	Ongoing.
50. The Town of Selkirk should be given the same consideration as communities south of the Floodway by governments under a comprehensive Dike Enhancement and Flood Protection Program.	The Town of Selkirk will be given consideration in future phases of this Canada-Manitoba agreement.	Ongoing.
51. The Province of Manitoba should promote the concept of water planning and management on a watershed basis with a view toward reducing peak flood flows on streams feeding into the Red River.	Promotion of water planning and management on a watershed basis in Manitoba is continuing.	Ongoing.
52. The International Joint Commission's Red River Basin Task Force should be encouraged to conduct an analysis of watershed land use.	Being done.
53. The Province should develop a sustainable water management structure to better serve the need of Manitobans into the next century.	A water management structure for sustainability continues to be defined and implemented.	Ongoing.
54. The Province should conduct a review of the current roles and responsibilities of its departments and agencies having an interest in water management to determine how they can best serve the above organization.	A water management structure for sustainability continues to be defined and implemented.	Ongoing.
55. The provincial and federal governments should place a priority on extending regional rural water pipelines to those areas in the Valley that do not have a source of potable groundwater.	Being considered.	Ongoing.
56. The regional water supply systems at both Letellier and Morris should be protected to an appropriate level. This level should be determined considering the risks associated with the flood protection being overtopped.	The Letellier and Morris water supply systems are protected to the 1997 flood level plus freeboard.
57. The Province of Manitoba should adopt a province-wide policy similar to Minnesota's on abandoned wells. That is "before a property can be transferred or sold, wells must be identified, and if abandoned, properly sealed". Page 34 - IJC Interim Report.	Legislation addressing the issue of abandoned wells is being drafted.
58. A review should be conducted to identify whether changes to the Manitoba Amendments of the 1995 National Building Code are warranted in light of the experiences with the 1997 flood. This review should consider the health and safety implications of moisture damage to houses, both as the result of flooding and from other causes.	There is no flood-related, national building code.