RM of St. Andrews - Flood Information

AFTER HOURS EMERGENCIES

If high water levels are impacting you or your property, please submit a service request so that the appropriate staff receive the request immediately and there is a record of the request being made and action taken. If it is an after hours emergency where your home is at immediate risk, call (204) 904-9286. Please always call 911 if you are in a life threatening situation.

Posted: March 25, 2025

Media Bulletin - Manitoba - Spring Thaw Partially Begins in Southern Manitoba Basins

The Hydrologic Forecast Centre of Manitoba Transportation and Infrastructure is advising the public the spring thaw has partially started in southern Manitoba basins including the United States portion of the Red River basin. As temperatures rise, river flows and water levels are expected to gradually increase, leading to potentially hazardous ice conditions on rivers, lakes and drainage ditches throughout Manitoba. 

While the ice may appear like normal winter ice, it may be very thin and will no longer support people and heavy objects such as snowmobiles and vehicles. 

The Hydrologic Forecast Centre also advises outflows from the Shellmouth Dam are being reduced from the current 680 cubic feet per second (cfs) to 300 cfs as part of the normal operation of the dam. This reduction in outflow is expected to weaken the ice along the Assiniboine River from Shellmouth to Brandon. 

Use of the rivers, lakes, floodways or drainage ditches for activities such as skiing, sledding and snowmobiling could be hazardous at this time and should be avoided. Persons living near such waterways should be especially careful to prevent children and pets from wandering onto the ice. 

Daily temperatures are warming gradually and deteriorating ice thickness and strength. The quality of river ice within communities is also uncertain. Citizens are advised to stay off rivers and retention ponds. 

The Manitoba Emergency Management Organization (EMO) continues to work with all local authorities and emergency management partners to provide guidance and support to prepare for and respond to spring flooding. This includes reviewing existing emergency plans, sharing information and preparing resources used in flood response. Additionally, Manitoba EMO continues to work with Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) and Municipal and Northern Relations (MNR) to support ISC and MNR-led preparation activities for First Nations and Northern Affairs communities. 

As the melt continues, updated flood information will be available at www.manitoba.ca/floodinfo/. 

Posted: March 25, 2025

The March 2025 Outlook Report prepared by the Hydrologic Forecast Centre (HFC) of Manitoba Transportation and Infrastructure reports a low to moderate risk of significant spring flooding across most Manitoba basins. However, flood risk remains dependent on future weather conditions, including precipitation levels and the rate of spring melt.

Soil Moisture, Precipitation, and Base Flows and Levels:

• Soil moisture at freeze-up is generally near normal to below normal for most Manitoba basins.
• Portions of the Red River basin in Manitoba and the U.S. have above normal to well above normal soil moisture.
• Portions of Northwestern Manitoba have well below normal soil moisture.
• Normal to below normal soil moisture levels thus far indicate a potential for near normal to below normal spring runoff within these river basins
• Winter precipitation for most of Manitoba watersheds has been normal to well above normal.
• Base flows and levels range generally from normal to above normal in most southern Manitoba basins and normal to below normal in central and northern Manitoba basins.

Flood Risk:

• The risk of significant flooding is low for many Manitoba basins, including the Red, Pembina, Rat, Roseau, Saskatchewan, Winnipeg and Churchill rivers.
• Levels on most Manitoba lakes are expected to be within their normal operating ranges after the spring runoff.

Future Weather:

• Short term weather forecast by Environment and Climate Change Canada indicates that there is less than a 50% chance of receiving more than 25 mm precipitation between March 21 and April 5, 2025, for most Manitoba basins.

Water Control Structures Operations:

• The Red River Floodway is not expected to be operated under normal and favourable weather conditions.

Ice Conditions & Safety:

• Ice cutting and breaking activities have been completed on the Red and Icelandic Rivers.

Next Steps:

• Manitoba Emergency Management Organization (Manitoba EMO) continues to work with local authorities, First Nations, and emergency management partners to provide guidance and support in spring flood preparedness and response. This includes reviewing emergency plans, sharing critical information, and coordinating resources for flood response.

To read the full March 2025 Flood Outlook, visit: www.manitoba.ca/floodinfo/pdf/2025/march_2025_flood_outlook_report.pdf

Posted: March 19, 2025

On February 27th, 2025, Manitoba Transportation and Infrastructure’s Hydrologic Forecast Centre released its February 2025 Flood Outlook Report which indicates a low-to-moderate risk of significant spring flooding across Manitoba basins. Spring flood risk is largely dependent on weather conditions from now until the spring melt and throughout the spring. 

In preparation for the spring melt, RM staff are ensuring that all the necessary plans are in place and equipment ready.

• Culverts will be steamed where necessary.
• Drone footage will be done of the ice breakup on the river and posted on our YouTube Channel, website, X and Facebook page.
• The main drains will be cleared along with other problematic areas to allow the ditches to carry off the snow melt. 
• Empty sandbags and sand will be available for those who require them.

A complete update on our Spring Public Works Operations including ditch clearing as well as spring melt preparations can all be found under Notices.

The potential for any overland and river flooding is low but the weather can change suddenly so we will be monitoring conditions over the upcoming weeks. We still ask that any necessary precautions be taken, especially if you have experienced problems with high water levels in the past.

If you do experience water problems, please submit a service request so it gets into our tracking system. These requests get submitted immediately to our Public Works staff via email and it makes it easier for them to prioritize the submissions based on risk levels. If using your phone to submit a service request, you must download our App first and submit it through the App. A service request cannot be submitted on the phone without the App. 

Our flood information page will be used to provide any important updates along with links to the drone footage of the ice movement along the river. These videos and images assist us in monitoring the ice as it moves north for the potential risk of any ice jamming.

What you need to do if your property is at risk this spring?

• Empty sandbags will be available at the Public Works Shop in Clandeboye as well as our South Fire Hall at 5610 Highway #9. Sand will be available at the Public Works Yard in Clandeboye. Note: You will require your own shovel to fill the bags. Contact the RM Office at 204-738-2264 in advance if requiring bags and/or sand.
• Monitor the spring melt and watch for anything abnormal in your area and protect your home and property as necessary.
• Know the notification/warning systems the RM uses: 
  • Municipal website (www.rmofstandrews.com)
  • X
  • Facebook
  • CONNECT Notification System (Text/Email/Phone Call - only if you have registered); if you haven't registered, sign up here: Register for CONNECT.
• Protect your pets and livestock.
• Take special precautions to safeguard electrical, natural gas or propane heating equipment. This may include turning off electricity to the affected areas of your home.
• Move furniture, electrical appliances, valuables and personal belongings to floors above ground level.
• Contact your insurer to make sure you are covered for flood insurance if your property is at risk.
• The RM is not responsible for individual property protection, does not deliver sandbags and will not provide staff to install them.
• Protect all openings, holding tanks, drinking water supply and septic fields that may be at risk.

There are some great fact sheets and resources of information on our Flood Fact Sheets page that can provide guidance and assistance in preparing for possible flooding situations.

Posted: February 27, 2025

MEDIA BULLETIN - MANITOBA - February 27, 2025 - Manitoba Transportation and Infrastructure’s Hydrologic Forecast Centre has released its February Flood Outlook Report, which indicates a low-to-moderate risk of significant spring flooding in most Manitoba basins.

Spring flood risk is largely dependent on weather conditions from now until the spring melt and throughout the spring.

Currently, there is a moderate risk of flooding along the Red, Assiniboine and Pembina rivers and in the Interlake region including the Fisher and Icelandic rivers. The risk of spring flooding is low along several other rivers, including the Roseau, Rat, Saskatchewan and Churchill rivers. Water levels are expected to remain below community flood protection levels. The risk of flooding is low for most Manitoba lakes throughout the spring period. Most lakes are expected to be within the desired operating ranges after the spring runoff.

The Red River Floodway and the Portage Diversion are only expected to be operated under unfavourable weather conditions. Additionally, minimal operation of the Portage Diversion may be necessary to mitigate ice-related water level rises on the lower Assiniboine River (from Portage la Prairie to Winnipeg).

The Shellmouth Reservoir is being operated in consultation with the Shellmouth liaison committee to reduce the risk of flooding downstream on the Assiniboine River, while also providing sufficient storage for water supply and recreation.

Manitoba Transportation and Infrastructure is conducting normal spring ice-cutting and breaking work along rivers to reduce ice-jam related flooding. Ice-cutting and breaking is currently underway on the Red River. Ice-cutting and breaking will start along the Icelandic River once breaking is completed along the Red River.

The Manitoba government, local authorities and First Nations communities are proactively preparing for any spring flooding. This includes reviewing emergency plans, information sharing between governments and preparing resources used in flood responses.

The 2025 spring flood outlook report is available at: www.gov.mb.ca/floodinfo/pdf/2025/february_2025_flood_outlook_report.pdf.

The next flood outlook is anticipated to be released in late March.

Posted: December 18, 2024

The 2024 Manitoba Basins Fall Conditions Report describes the hydrologic conditions of Manitoba basins at the time of freeze-up. The 2024 Fall Conditions Report describes the current state of two hydrologic factors for which data is available at the time of reporting.

These two known factors covered in this report are the soil moisture at the time of freeze-up and base flows in rivers and water levels on lakes prior to freeze-up. The report also contains long term forecasted winter precipitation as a general indication of probable future weather and forecasted flows and levels throughout the winter for various rivers and lakes.

Below is an overview highlighting the information that would be most relevant.

2024 Precipitation and Soil Moisture at Freeze up

• Most basins received near normal to below normal precipitation throughout the summer and fall of 2024; except for parts of southern Manitoba and the Red River basin in the northern United States that received above normal to well above normal precipitation and northwestern Manitoba, including areas near The Pas that received below normal precipitation.
• Recorded precipitation from November 1 to December 9 was significantly higher than normal precipitation for nearly every basin in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Ontario, and the Red and Souris river basins in the United States with some basins receiving the highest amount of precipitation on recent record, dating back to 1981.
• Soil moisture is generally near normal to below normal for most Manitoba basins, except for portions of the Red River basin in Manitoba and the United States, which have above normal to well above normal soil moisture, and portions of northwestern Manitoba, which have well below normal soil moisture conditions.
• Near normal to below normal soil moisture levels thus far indicate a potential for near normal to below normal spring runoff within these river basins; however, the extent of spring runoff is still largely dependent on future weather conditions, including the amount of winter and spring precipitation, as well as snow melt conditions.

River Flows and Lake Levels

• Base flows and levels on most Manitoba rivers are near normal for this time of the year.
• Lake Manitoba is within its operating range of 810.5 ft – 812.5 ft.
• Lake Winnipeg is within its operating range of 711 ft – 715 ft.
• Lake St. Martin is within its operating range of 797.0 ft – 800.0 ft.
• Dauphin Lake is operating just above its operating range of 853.0 ft – 854.8 ft and is tracking 0.7 feet above normal for this time of year.
• Lake Winnipegosis and Whiteshell Lakes are currently tracking near normal conditions for this time of the year.
• Inflow into Lake of the Prairies (Shellmouth Reservoir) is tracking near normal condition for this time of the year.
• The Shellmouth dam is being operated in consultation with the Shellmouth Reservoir Regulation Liaison Committee to drawdown the reservoir in preparation of spring runoff.

Long-term Precipitation Outlook

• Environment and Climate Change Canada’s latest long-term precipitation forecast indicates a potential for above normal precipitation from December to February for most Manitoba basins.
• Global weather prediction centres indicate that a weak La Nina climate condition is expected to persist through the winter and spring.
• The effect of La Nina is variable across the globe, but generally, for Manitoba, it is characterized by below-normal temperatures and above-normal precipitation from December to March.

Forecasted Winter Flows and Levels

• Lake Winnipeg is expected to be near 712.5 feet by the end of March
• Lake Manitoba is expected to remain near 811.4 feet throughout the winter.
• Flows and levels on the Assiniboine, Red, Waterhen, Fairford, and Dauphin rivers are forecasted to remain at near normal in the period prior to the spring runoff.
• Lake Winnipegosis will remain near the current level of 830.4 feet throughout the winter.
• Lake St. Martin is expected to be near 799.0 feet before the spring runoff.

Emergency Management

• Manitoba Emergency Management Organization continues to review current operating procedures to ensure effective and efficient operations for the upcoming hazard season. This includes:
  • Providing continuous coordination and collaboration with emergency management stakeholders.
  • Maintain overall situational awareness by disseminating relevant up to date information.
  • Providing education opportunities to local authorities and emergency management partners.
  • Providing guidance and support to local authorities and emergency management partners throughout the province on preparedness and response related activities.
  • Preparing for the annual spring conditions seminars with key partners.

The Hydrologic Forecast Centre will continue working collaboratively with Environment and Climate Change Canada, the National Weather Service and flood forecasters in neighbouring jurisdictions to monitor watershed conditions and winter precipitation patterns.

A detailed flood outlook will be published with updated information towards the end of February when further precipitation and other factors are available.

To read the full 2024 Fall Conditions Report, visit: https://gov.mb.ca/floodinfo/pdf/2024/2024_fall_conditions_report.pdf.

Duty Officer  

Manitoba Emergency Management Organization