Manitoba spring flood risk low to moderate: province

The risk of flooding for most Manitoba rivers this spring is low to moderate, the province said Wednesday.

Manitoba Transportation and Infrastructure’s Hydrologic Forecast Centre noted in its first flood outlook of the season that the spring risk remains dependent on weather conditions from now until the snow melts — including future snowfall and rainfall.

A moderate flood risk is in effect for the Red, Pembina, Assiniboine, Souris and Qu’Appelle rivers, the Interlake region including the Icelandic and Fisher rivers, and portions of the Saskatchewan River.

A low flood risk is in effect for Red and Assiniboine river tributaries including the Rat and Roseau rivers, eastern Manitoba, including the Winnipeg River basin and Whiteshell lakes area, and most other Manitoba lakes.

Lake levels for Lake Winnipeg and Lake Manitoba are well below normal, the province said.

Ice-cutting and breaking activities remain underway along the Red River to reduce the risk of ice-jam flooding.

An updated flood outlook is set to be released in late March.