Peguis chief cautiously optimistic after river crests

Peguis First Nation may avoid flooding this spring, but its chief says the community must remain vigilant.

On Friday afternoon, the province’s hydrologic forecast centre confirmed the Fisher River, which runs through the community, has crested.

In a social media message the night before, Chief Stan Bird implored residents to stay on alert.

“(The river) could begin to recede over the next couple of days. The key word is ‘may,’” Bird said.

“Out of an abundance of caution, we must remain vigilant. Basements can still flood, road access can still be affected, drinking water could be impacted and floodwater from the south has not reached their full volume yet.”

Bird said Peguis got lucky after heavy precipitation forecast for the area this week didn’t materialize.

“We dodged several bullets this week,” he said. “If we can get through the next several weeks we will be in a good position.”

It’s a similar story at the Fisher River Cree Nation.

A Friday statement from Chief David Crate and band council said the river has crested and is beginning to recede in the West Fisherton and East Hodgson areas, while levels have stabilized in the Dallas area.

“Our leadership is very encouraged by this update, especially as it means Highway 224 is no longer at risk of flooding,” the chief and council said.

“With this positive news, we are happy to announce that all planned evacuations have been cancelled.”

The chief and council of the community, located about 200 kilometres north of Winnipeg, reminded homeowners to monitor sump pumps and hoses “as a precaution.”

Provincial forecasters had predicted this year’s flood could have been as high as the record one in 2022, which resulted in hundreds of evacuations and millions of dollars in damage at Peguis alone.

Bird said that as of Thursday, about 140 vulnerable homes and infrastructure were protected. Twelve residents had been evacuated from the community, located 180 kilometres north of Winnipeg.

Rural Municipality of Fisher Reeve Shannon Pyziak said she didn’t yet know if the river had crested in her area. The RM declared a state of emergency on Tuesday.

Pyziak said the flood watch continues, but no residents are in danger.

The Town of Arborg said in a notice that the Icelandic River has appeared to have peaked and has begun to recede.

“Current forecasts indicate no significant precipitation over the coming week, which is encouraging news for our community.”

kevin.rollason@freepress.mb.ca