Assiniboine at 2nd-highest recorded level

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This article was published 02/05/2011 (5303 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Water levels on the Assiniboine River at Brandon are now the second highest in recorded history, surpassed only by the peak in 1923.

Flood protection is three feet above the anticipated crest, which should arrive between May 11 and 13, government officials said today.

Emergency Measures Minister Steve Ashton said except for minor erosion, the dikes protecting many Manitoba communities held during the past 72 hours — a period characterized by high winds and considerable precipitation in some areas.

Flood officials said many water level increases recorded Sunday were temporary, resulting mainly from high winds as well as some flows from weekend precipitation.

“Overland flooding is expected in areas that had significant precipitation,” said the province’s senior flood fighter, Steve Topping.

“Red River water levels south of Winnipeg are the sixth highest in recorded history,” he said, although, in answer to a reporter’s question, he added that they remain below 2009 levels.

The Red River is cresting in St. Adolphe and just south of the floodway inlet today. Sustained high flows are expected for a prolonged period along all reaches of the river — as they are along the Assiniboine.

The forecast peak for the Red River at James Avenue in Winnipeg is 19.5 to 20 feet. That should occur on Thursday or Friday.