Update Monday May 2 at 20:25 – Manitoba Transportation and Infrastructure has announced that Highway 23 from the west side of Morris to PR 422 is now closed. The closure is due to the construction of levees and water on the road. Local traffic is allowed on this portion of the road at this time.
Highway 75 on the south side of Morris will be closed tonight at 8:00 pm as the area braces for continued ground flooding.
A detour will now take traffic on Highway 3 through Carman and south to Winkler and then onto Highway 14 to return to Highway 75. Additional information on detours is available at www.manitoba511.ca or by calling 511.
Highway 75 at the north end of Morris was closed last week, with a bypass redirecting traffic to PR 246.
In the meantime, the Manitoba Transportation and Infrastructure Hydrological Forecasting Center continues to monitor flood activity as water levels in streams and tributaries in most of Manitoba may continue to be affected by runoff from recent rainfall. . Although water levels in smaller streams and drains are beginning to stabilize, many larger rivers and streams continue to rise as water moves through the system.
Water levels are expected to remain high for an extended period in many areas of southern and central Manitoba. In the Red River Valley, the province remains in a high state of preparedness for water levels similar to the 2009 spring flood levels in the Red River between Emerson and the entrance of the Red River Floodway.
Ground flooding continues in Interlake, the Red River Valley, and many other parts of central and southern Manitoba. Residents of these areas are advised to monitor local conditions and take necessary steps to mitigate flooding. Little to no precipitation is expected in southern and central Manitoba for the next four days.
Since April 1, southern and southeastern Manitoba and the US portion of the Red River Basin have received 120 to 160 millimeters (mm) of precipitation, which is between 400 and 600 percent of normal amounts. .
The Manitoba Emergency Measures Organization (EMO) continues to work with all local authorities and emergency management partners to provide guidance and support for response and recovery activities.
Several communities across the province continue to be affected by high water levels. Impacts reported to date include loss of road access, flooded properties, and infrastructure damage. As a result of these impacts, seven municipal emergency operations centers have been activated and states of local emergency have been declared in the following 18 communities:
Rural Municipality (RM) of Cartier;
Morris MRI;
Richot’s MR;
Fisher’s MR;
Montcalm MR;
Morden City;
Winnipeg City Beach;
Municipality of Pembina;
Arborg City;
Armstrong MR;
Dufferin MR;
Bifrost-Riverton Township;
RM de Grey;
Headingley MR;
Thompson MR;
MR of West Interlake;
RM of St. Laurent; Y
Grahamdale M.R.
Manitoba EMO continues to work with Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) to support ISC-led response efforts with First Nations communities.
The Red River Floodway and Portage Bypass continue to operate to lower water levels in Winnipeg. The flow in the floodway channel was 38,300 cubic feet per second (cfs) this morning. Flows upstream of the spillway inlet this morning are approximately 74,000 cubic feet per second. Outfalls, creeks, and tributaries in the Red River Valley and Interlake are above or at capacity.
High tide watches and advisories in effect include:
A land-based flood warning for Interlake and portions of southern and central Manitoba, as highlighted on the attached map, remains in effect and has been extended to include all of eastern Manitoba. Most of the ditches and waterways are full or close to capacity. Recent heavy rains and saturated soils are creating surface flooding in many areas.
A flood warning is in effect for the Red River from Emerson to the entrance of the Red River Floodway and from the exit of the Red River Floodway canal to Lake Winnipeg.
A flood warning is in effect for all tributaries of the Red River, including the La Salle, Pembina, and Boyne Rivers and the Deadhorse, Shannon, and Netley Creeks.
A flood warning continues for the Fisher River. Officials report that the flow of the Fisher River has now peaked, but ice jam remains a risk.
A flood warning remains in place for the Icelandic River and Sturgeon Creek.
A flood watch remains in place for streams in the eastern region and continues for the Roseau and Whitemud rivers.
A flood warning is issued for the Whiteshell Lakes area as levels in most of the lakes continue to rise due to recent rain and snowmelt.
A flood warning for the Assiniboine River has been expanded to include the area from Shellmouth Dam to Brandon.
Shellmouth Dam is being operated to reduce the risk of downstream flooding on the Assiniboine River while providing sufficient storage for the water supply. Dam outflows will be increased today in compliance with operating guidelines. As a result, lowland flooding along the Assiniboine River will increase. However, the dam still provides a significant flood reduction benefit as the current outflows from the dam are less than half of the inflows to the dam. The operations aim to minimize the risk of flooding later in the growing season.
Provincial crews are deployed to various communities in southern Manitoba executing pumping operations, as well as preparing for, monitoring and implementing levee closures as needed. Manitobans are reminded to stay away from waterways, including creeks, creeks, rivers, and floodways. High flows, debris, and low temperatures present a significant safety risk.
Rising waters may require levee or road closures in some locations and motorists are reminded to stay away from closed roads and not attempt to cross flooded roads. Members of the public are also asked to stay away from flooded areas, water control structures, including dams and diversions, and areas where flood response teams are working. Up-to-date information on road conditions, including detours and road closures, is available at www.manitoba511.ca or by calling 511.
Flood forecasters will continue to monitor precipitation amounts and assess impacts on flows and levels. The latest river forecast information can be found at www.gov.mb.ca/mit/floodinfo/index.html.
Flood mitigation assistance can be directed to the municipal authority. In an emergency, residents are encouraged to contact 911.
For questions about forecasts, water levels, provincial waterways, or provincial water control infrastructure, call 204-945-1165 or email [email protected]
For more information on flooding in Manitoba, visit www.manitoba.ca/flooding.
Reference-pembinavalleyonline.com