Brandon to receive sandbag machine

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This article was published 03/03/2011 (5327 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The province announced today it is stationing one of two new sandbag-making machines in Brandon — another sign that this spring’s flood will extend well beyond the Red River Valley.

Flood forecasters have warned that the Assiniboine River could rise three feet higher than it did in record-setting 1976 under a worst-case weather scenario.

“Our principal flood response team was in Brandon earlier this week to meet with regional officials and will keep communications lines open until the flood threat has passed,” Premier Greg Selinger said in a release.

Each of the sandbag-making machines will cost $35,000. The new purchases will bring the provincial complement up to five.

The province will also buy metal bins and conveyor belts to use with the sandbag-making machines. Each machine has multiple sand chutes that increase sandbag production. At full production, this type of machine can produce 35,000 bags in an eight-hour shift.

To be fully effective, each sandbag-making system will require about 40 volunteers.

“We are counting on Manitobans in all areas of the province to continue the great tradition of stepping up to help when nature sends what is expected to be very high water our way,” Selinger said.

Meanwhile, the province said this morning that the Shellmouth reservoir has been lowered by 20 feet and is expected to be reduced by another seven feet before the spring melt begins.

Maintenance work at the Portage Diversion is underway, including dredging the reservoir, providing erosion protection and removing excess vegetation.

The Assiniboine River dikes east of Portage la Prairie are being assessed and will be strengthened as needed, the premier said.