Risk of major flooding along Red River: forecast

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 18/02/2022 (1488 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The potential for moderate to major flooding in southern Manitoba depends on weather conditions leading up to the spring melt, according to the province’s Hydrologic Forecast Centre.

The centre monitors river flows and lake levels daily throughout the year. 

There’s a risk of major flooding along the Red River and its tributaries, including the Roseau, Rat and Pembina rivers. However, water levels are expected to stay below community flood protection levels at all locations, the centre advised.

The spring flood outlook released Friday said southern Manitoban basins, including the Assiniboine and Souris rivers, and the Whiteshell lakes area, are at risk of moderate flooding. The Interlake and northern regions face a low risk, the centre advises.

The Red River Floodway should reduce water levels within the city of Winnipeg this spring, the Hydrologic Forecast Centre reported.

After a devastating drought and one of the driest years on record, Greg Archibald of the Pembina Valley Water Co-operative said the region is unlikely to experience a repeat in 2022. 

“I think we can all say that we stopped worrying about a drought next year. I’m getting tired of shovelling and the reality is we’ve got an awful lot of snow out there right now,” Archibald said.

The water co-op is preparing for flooding through the valley and bringing in materials to ensure continued operations should roadways be submerged, he said.

Archibald will be keeping an eye on soil moisture, precipitation and rate of thaw through the spring and in particular south of the U.S. border where the ground is already saturated. 

“There’s no reason for us to believe that we’re not going to have a lot of water coming our way,” he said.

While the region could see an abundance of water after a tough drought, Archibald said there’s no way for the co-operative to take advantage of the higher flows, as the retention pond in Morris is full.

However, Lake Minnewasta in Morden has continued to drop through the winter, and officials are hoping for run-off to bring levels back up.

Building more ponds would be beneficial in the long term, as the frequency of extreme weather including floods and droughts increases owing to climate change, Archibald said. 

“It costs money. That’s the issue right now,” he said, adding the construction of a pond capable of holding a year’s worth of water in Letellier was estimated to cost $15 million. 

The province will release its next flood outlook in late March.