Posted on 04/24/2014, 5:15 pm, by mySteinbach

The province reports that rainfall is causing a rise in the western and upper Assiniboine River and its tributaries.

  • A high water advisory is in place for all points along the Little Saskatchewan River, Birdtail Creek and Arrow River.
  • The Little Saskatchewan River at Rivers has experienced a significant increase in flows.

Over-bank levels are being reported on the Little Saskatchewan River in Minnedosa, which is causing minor flooding of low-lying areas. Provincial emergency measures officials are in contact with the community and the provincial government is ready to assist if requested.

Birdtail Creek and Arrow River are also experiencing significantly increased flows due to rainfall.

  • The riverside parks in Brandon have taken on water but no buildings are impacted.

A flood watch continues for the upper Assiniboine River from Shellmouth Dam to Brandon.

  • In the Grand Valley area, the Assiniboine River may increase one to 2.5 ft. over the next 24 to 48 hours and may spread further onto

low-lying and agricultural land. Other areas may see up to a three-foot rise also on mostly low-lying and agricultural land.

  • Water levels are approaching bank full or may have overtopped banks in some reaches of the river and there is a chance low lying land adjacent to the river may be flooded.

An ice jam has diminished substantially on the Assiniboine River on the west side of the Maryland Street bridge in Winnipeg and the City of Winnipeg has not reported any issues.

Thirty-five people from Petersfield are back in their homes after a precautionary evacuation yesterday. An ice jam at the junction of Netley Creek and the Red River resulted in a temporary rise in levels on the creek. No residents reported damage to homes but some outbuildings were impacted.

The updated weather forecast calls for diminishing rain in the next 24 hours west of Winnipeg along the Assiniboine River. In the 24 hours up to 8 a.m. today:

  • the Yorkton, Sask., area received about 11 millimetres of rain;
  • the Brandon area received about 20.4 mm;
  • Fargo, N.D., recorded almost 12 mm;
  • Grand Forks, N.D., had about 20 mm; and
  • the Winnipeg area received about five mm.

The impacts of the rainfall will be assessed.

Red River

Water levels at all points on the Red River are declining as the crest has passed. Red River tributaries in Manitoba are generally declining.

The precipitation that has fallen to date was insufficient to slow the decline of the Red River or its tributaries. Water was naturally spilling into the Red River Floodway at a rate of approximately 3,260 cubic feet per second (cfs) this morning, a decrease of close to 550 cfs from yesterday.

The Red River at James Avenue in Winnipeg is 18.4 ft., down slightly.

Assiniboine River

Flow on the Portage Diversion is now 4,640 cfs, up about 960 cfs in the last 24 hours.

  • The Portage Diversion is being operated to reduce the risk of ice jams on the lower Assiniboine River as per established protocols.

Interlake, Eastern Manitoba and Whitemud River

A high water advisory continues for streams in the Interlake region due to the existing snowpack, the expected melt rate and the potential for ice jams and associated flooding.

  • Based on the most recent forecast, flows on the Fisher River are expected to be 2,500 to 2,700 cfs at Dallas. This is above-bank capacity. If a slower melt occurs, flows are expected to be within the bank. Provincial officials are in contact with community and federal officials and are willing to assist if requested.
  • Water levels are rising on the Icelandic and Fisher rivers. Ice conditions are being monitored for the potential onset of ice jams in the next few days.

A high water advisory continues for the Whitemud River from Gladstone to Lake Manitoba due to increasing tributary flows and ice runs.

  • An ice jam on the Whitemud River at Gladstone has cleared.

The Whitemouth River still has the potential for ice jams from Whitemouth downstream. Field reports indicate the Brokenhead River is generally free of ice.