WINNIPEG – ENVIRONMENT – The province of Manitoba, and today the city of Portage le Prairie are bracing the the water flowing downstream in the Assiniboine River as the water from last week’s massive rainfalls continues to flood the province.
SUMMER FLOOD BULLETIN #12
- A provincial state of emergency declared by the Manitoba government remains in place along the lower Assiniboine River from Portage la Prairie to Winnipeg to allow for preparations for high water flows expected to be at 2011 levels plus one foot.
- The Assiniboine River crest is expected to arrive at the Portage Diversion tomorrow at approximately noon. Water levels will continue to rise quickly as the crest approaches and flows are forecast to reach approximately 50,000 cubic feet per second (cfs).
- The crest flows will be managed by directing up to 34,000 cfs through the Portage Diversion and 18,000 cfs down the Assiniboine River towards Winnipeg.
Flood-fighting Work
- Lower Assiniboine River
- Efforts to put flood protection in place in communities and homes from Portage la Prairie to Winnipeg are going well and are on schedule.
- Work is proceeding with provincial crews, municipal crews, local residents and Canadian Armed Forces personnel.
- Sightseers are making it difficult for crews and homeowners to move around the area and get necessary work done to raise dikes. Manitobans are asked to avoid areas along the Portage Diversion and the Assiniboine River dikes unless they are working or volunteering.
- Assiniboine River Dikes
- All areas of concern along the dikes have been addressed and are expected to be complete by the end of day tomorrow.
- Flows on the Portage Diversion and down the Assiniboine River dikes will increase throughout today and tomorrow as the crest approaches.
- Once the crest arrives at the Portage Diversion, it will take approximately 24 hours to travel to Baie St. Paul and the downstream communities.
- The dikes will be monitored 24 hours a day, and rapid readiness teams are in place to respond to any problems that may appear along the dikes.
- To date, an estimated 212,700 sandbags have been produced and 184,000 have been delivered. The remainder is being reserved for rapid deployment. Production of sandbags is continuing, with another 76,000 expected to be produced in the next 24 hours.
- The rural municipalities of Cartier and St. François Xavier are seeking volunteers to help protect properties in the area. For more information, contact the RM of Cartier at
204-353-4005 or by email at cartierflood2014@shaw.ca or the RM of St. François Xavier at 204-864-2874.
- Portage Diversion
- The Portage Diversion is operating, with flows on the Assiniboine River above the diversion at 41,700 cfs. This morning the diversion was redirecting 25,000 cfs and flows on the Assiniboine River downstream of the diversion are 16,700 cfs.
- Efforts continue on the Portage Diversion and the Assiniboine River to reinforce the east dike with aquadams for the last three kilometres to Lake Manitoba.
- Hoop and Holler Controlled Release
- Preparations for a possible controlled release are complete. A controlled release would only be used as a last resort to prevent an uncontrolled breach.
- Assistance will be available to help residents who may be affected by flooding caused by this controlled release.
Flood Response
- As of this morning, approximately 725 people have evacuated their homes and communities due to flooding in 2014. This includes approximately 160 evacuees from two communities due to spring flooding.
- As of yesterday morning, 55 municipalities and communities have declared a state of local emergency.
- Approximately 115 provincial staff have volunteered with close to 35 going out today. In addition, approximately 100 Manitoba Hydro employees have volunteered for flood-fighting efforts. About 75 forest firefighters from across the province have been redeployed to support flood-fighting efforts.
- LabattBreweries of Canada has donated approximately 52,000 cans of water for volunteers.
- Staff from the Alberta Emergency Management Agency are also providing assistance.
- A mobile recovery office will be set up in communities in the southwest area of Manitoba. Staff are available to answer questions and take applications for disaster financial assistance.
- The mobile recovery office will be open today in Virden from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The office is located in the parking lot of 236 Wellington St. W (Town of Virden Office).
- The mobile recovery office will be located in Elkhorn at 108 Richhill Ave. E tomorrow from
10 a.m. to 6 p.m. - The mobile recovery office will be located in Melita at the Melita and Area Arena at
108 Townsend Dr. on July 10 and 11 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Livestock producers looking for additional sources of hay or pasture can see current listings atwww.gov.mb.ca/agriculture under ‘online resources’.
Flood Forecast
Red River
- Currently, water levels at James Avenue are at 17 feet. Levels and flows in Winnipeg are forecast to remain relatively stable over the next few days and then increase to approximately 17.3 to
17.5 ft. at James Avenue by July 9 to 11, due to high flows on the Assiniboine River.
Assiniboine River
- The water level on the Shellmouth Reservoir has increased to 1,415.7 ft. Inflows to the reservoir are approximately 18,370 cfs today while outflows from the reservoir are approximately
14,710 cfs. - Inflows to the Shellmouth Dam are forecast to peak at approximately 21,800 cfs on July 10 and the reservoir level is forecast to peak at approximately 1.416.1 ft. on July 12. Peak forecast outflows of approximately 16,800 cfs are expected on July 11.
- The Assiniboine River at Brandon dropped to 31,680 cfs with a water level of 1,182.3 ft. The permanent flood protection dikes built following the 2011 flood are designed to provide adequate flood protection for the current forecast levels.
- A second summer crest on the Assiniboine River at Brandon is expected on July 17 to 18 at 31,000 to 32,000 cfs. This second crest will consist of flows from the upper Assiniboine and Qu’Appelle river basins.
Assiniboine River Tributaries
- Flows on the Qu’Appelle River are starting to increase again as more water moves through the system.
- This second summer crest on the Qu’Appelle River is at record high flows, higher than 2011 levels and significantly larger than the previous summer crest.
- Water levels between the Shellmouth Reservoir and St-Lazare will be higher than levels in 2011.
- The forecast peak flow at St-Lazare is approximately 25,000 to 28,500 cfs on July 14.
- This flow will result in water levels below the permanent flood protection dikes, but approximately one foot higher than 2011 water levels. Several homes outside the permanent dikes are being monitored in case evacuations are needed.
- Local and provincial officials are assessing the situation and will protect properties as needed.
- The Souris River crested Monday at Melita and Souris but continue to experience high flows. It remains near crest at Wawanesa with a flow of 16,400 cfs and a water level of 1,155.3 ft.
- Whitewater Lake remains at a historic high of 1,633.5 ft.
Manitoba Lakes
- Manitoba Infrastructure and Transportation’s Hydrologic Forecast Centre reports the wind forecast for today results in a moderate wind warning for the south shore of Lake Winnipeg and on Lake Winnipegosis today.
- The winds on Lake Winnipeg and Lake Winnipegosis could increase water levels by two to
three ft. in the south basin of the lake along with moderate wave action on southern shorelines. - The wind forecast for today results in a low wind warning for the south shoreline of Lake Manitoba today.
- The winds on Lake Manitoba could increase water levels by up to one foot in the south basin of the lake along with low wave action on southern shorelines.
- The forecast peak water level on Lake Manitoba is 814.6 ft. in early August.
Parkland Region
- Current levels on Dauphin Lake are 859.5 ft. The forecast peak water level on Dauphin Lake is 860 to 860.4 ft. due to recent rains. The peak water level in 2011 was 861.14 ft.
- Flood stage on Dauphin Lake is 858 ft. and the summer target level is 855 ft.
Eastern Manitoba
- The Winnipeg River system is experiencing very high flows due to significantly higher-than-normal precipitation in eastern Manitoba and northwest Ontario.
- Water levels at Nutimik Lake dropped slightly to 908.3 ft.
- Manitoba government staff continue to work with cottage owners to make appropriate preparations.
Taxation Information
- Businesses directly affected by flooding and unable to file tax returns by the required due date, can request a waiver for the interest and penalty resulting from the late return.
- For more information, visit www.gov.mb.ca/finance/taxation/bulletins/noticerst1307.pdf.
Stress and Anxiety Resources
- The scale and scope of the summer flood is very challenging for affected Manitoba families. There are resources to help deal with stress and anxiety which result from crisis situations.
- Resources are available at www.gov.mb.ca/flooding/managing_stress.html.
Road Information
- Manitoba Infrastructure and Transportation reports sections of many provincial roads have been affected by the heavy rainfall and some roads are either closed or marked with caution. Municipal roads may also be affected, closed or have load limitations. Drive with caution and obey road closed signs.
- On all roads in southwest Manitoba, assume the bridges are also damaged. Reduce speed and weight to 10 tonnes only. Damage inspections are underway.
- For current highway conditions, call 511, visit www.manitoba.ca, www.mb511.ca or follow the Twitter account atwww.twitter.com/MBGovRoads.
Up-to-date flood information can be found at www.gov.mb.ca/flooding/, on mobile devices at www.manitoba.ca or on Twitter at www.twitter.com/MBGov.
Manitobans can also contact Manitoba Government Inquiry from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., seven days a week at 1-866-626-4862 (toll-free).
