Parts of southern Manitoba under flood watch

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This article was published 13/04/2023 (934 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Provincial forecasters have issued an overland flood watch for a large part of southern Manitoba, including Winnipeg and areas east of Highway 75.

Manitoba Transportation and Infrastructure’s flood forecast centre said Thursday the recent warm temperatures have started the spring thaw and surface runoff in most of the southern and central parts of the province.

The region affected by the watch stretches from the U.S. border to the Poplar/Nanowin Rivers Park Reserve; and from the Ontario border to Highway 75 and the eastern edge of Lake Winnipeg.

The areas could see up to 20 millimetres of rain and snow Friday. That precipitation would fall on already extremely saturated and partially frozen ground, which could cause flooding, forecasters said.

The overall flood forecast remains consistent with the late March outlook, which suggested a major flood risk for the Red River between the town of Emerson and the floodway.

However, dikes and flood protection works in Red River Valley communities are higher than predicted flood levels, and are expected to protect communities and properties in the area.

Late Thursday, an overland flood watch was issued for Peguis and Fisher River First Nations due to rain and snow in the forecast.

Rain was expected to begin early Friday and continue into mid-day Saturday. The province warned the precipitation may exceed the banks of the Fisher River and prompt overland flooding.

Provincial emergency responders are working with local authorities, first-responders and Indigenous officials in anticipation of the potential flood. This includes reviewing emergency plans, sharing information and preparing resources, the Manitoba government said in a release.

As the melt continues, the forecasters said, river levels and flow rates are expected to increase over the next days, weakening ice on lakes, rivers and creeks.

The forecasters cautioned that ice conditions can change quickly and people should keep off the ice.

The Portage Reservoir is currently being filled to support the Portage Diversion, west of the city. The provincial forecasters said the diversion’s gate will be tested Friday, when some water will enter.

The forecasters said when the reservoir flow exceeds 5,000 cubic feet per second, the diversion will begin operating to reduce ice jamming on Assiniboine east of Portage la Prairie and to control river levels in the capital city and other areas downstream of Portage.

Forecasters expect the Red River Floodway will also be active this spring to reduce water levels in the city.

— Staff