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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 26, 2024

Media Bulletin - Manitoba - March 26, 2024

PROVINCE ISSUES MARCH FLOOD OUTLOOK - Low-to-Moderate Risk of Spring Flooding, Rising Water Levels on the Red River

Manitoba Transportation and Infrastructure’s Hydrologic Forecast Centre has released its March Flood Outlook Report, which indicates a low-to-moderate risk of significant spring flooding across Manitoba basins.

With normal- to below-normal soil moisture at freeze-up and well-below-normal to above-normal winter precipitation for most Manitoba basins, the risk of significant spring flooding is low to moderate for most Manitoba basins. Water levels are expected to remain below dikes and community or individual flood protection levels. However, the risk of flooding could change depending on future weather conditions including rate of snow melt and the timing and amount of snow and rain received between now and the spring runoff.

The spring flooding risk is low for the Red River and tributaries, low to moderate for the Assiniboine River and tributaries and the Interlake region including the Icelandic and Fisher rivers; and generally low for the Souris, Qu’Appelle, Rat, Roseau, Pembina, Saskatchewan and Churchill river basins, and the Whiteshell Lakes region. As in most years, there is a risk of ice jam-related flooding on areas historically susceptible to ice jamming.

Most Manitoba lake levels are normal to below normal and forecasted to remain within their operating range after the spring runoff.

The Red River Floodway is not expected to be operated during this spring flood season based on forecasted conditions. Minimal operation of the Portage Diversion may be necessary under unfavourable weather conditions to control water levels on the lower Assiniboine River. The Shellmouth Reservoir is being operated to reduce the risk of flooding downstream on the Assiniboine River while also providing sufficient storage for water supply and recreation.

This forecast could change depending on weather conditions between now and the spring melt. There is no significant precipitation in the forecast for much of Manitoba over the next seven days. However, the Hydrologic Forecast Centre is monitoring a potential system that could bring up to 25 millimetres of precipitation to the United States’ portion of the Red River Basin.

Gradual run-off has started in some southern Manitoba basins including the Red River Valley. Levels are starting to rise along the main stem of the Red River and residents are cautioned about the impact of rising water levels as well as weak ice on the river. The Hydrologic Forecast Centre will start issuing daily flows and level forecasts once run-off fully begins, which will likely be by the end of March or first week of April.

The Manitoba government, local authorities and First Nations communities are continuing to prepare for spring flooding. This includes reviewing existing emergency plans, sharing information and preparing flood-response resources. Ice cutting and breaking is complete on the Red River and Iceland River. Further work is planned for portions of the Fisher River.

The 2024 spring flood outlook report is available at https://manitoba.ca/mti/floodinfo/pdf/2024/march_2024_flood_outlook_report.pdf


Posted: March 13, 2024

On March 1st, 2024, Manitoba Transportation and Infrastructure’s Hydrologic Forecast Centre released its February Flood Outlook Report which indicates a low-to-moderate risk of significant spring flooding across Manitoba basins.

In preparation for the spring thaw, 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.
  • The main drains will be opened up along with other problematic areas to allow the ditches to carry off the snow melt. The following policy contains a list of all the drains we open and can be found here: Snow Removal & Drain Openings Policy. Drain opening commenced on March 11, 2024.
  • Empty sandbags and sand will be available for those who require them.
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.

Please note that the RM does not look after ditches or blocked culverts along any provincial road or highway. Contact the Highways Dept. (MTI) at 204-346-6266 if you have concerns.

Any important updates will be posted on this page 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; empty sandbags and sand will be available
  • Know the notification/warning systems the RM uses:
  • 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.


 

Province's Flood Outlook Information 

To view the Province's latest flood outlook information and news releases, please click on the following link: 

https://www.gov.mb.ca/flooding/index.html 

To view the Government of Canada's Real-Time Hydrometic Data Graph for Netley Creek near Petersfield, please click on the following link: https://wateroffice.ec.gc.ca/report/real_time_e.html?stn=05OJ008

To view the Government of Canada's Real-Time Hydrometic Data Graph for Breezy Point, please click on the following link:

https://wateroffice.ec.gc.ca/report/real_time_e.html?stn=05OJ022


Posted: March 1, 2024

March 1, 2024 - Media Bulletin - Manitoba

FLOOD OUTLOOK PREDICTS LOW-TO-MODERATE RISK OF SPRING FLOODING

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 across Manitoba basins.  

Normal- to below-normal soil moisture at freeze-up and normal- to well-below-normal winter precipitation for most Manitoba basins have contributed to the low-to-moderate risk of spring flooding across the province. Water levels are expected to remain below dikes and community or individual flood protection levels. However, the risk of flooding may change depending on weather conditions including amount of precipitation between now and the spring melt. 

The spring flooding risk is low to moderate for the Red River and tributaries including the Roseau River and the Pembina River. The spring flooding risk is low for the Assiniboine, Souris and Qu’Apelle Rivers and in northern Manitoba including the Saskatchewan and Carrot Rivers. The risk of spring flooding is generally low for the Whiteshell Lakes Region including the Winnipeg River system. The spring flood risk is moderate for the Interlake region. As in other years, there is a risk of ice jam-related flooding on the Fisher River and the Icelandic River. 

Most Manitoba lake levels are normal to below normal for this time of year and within their capacity ranges. The risk of lakes flooding is low for most Manitoba lakes.  

The Red River Floodway is not expected to be operated under normal and favourable future weather scenarios. However, in the event of unfavourable weather conditions, the floodway could be operated to mitigate water levels in Winnipeg. The Shellmouth Reservoir is being operated to reduce the risk of flooding downstream on the Assiniboine River, while providing sufficient storage for water supply and recreation. 

This forecast could change depending on weather conditions including amount of precipitation between now and the spring melt. The Hydrologic Forecast Centre is monitoring a potential precipitation system that could impact Manitoba basins in the first week of March. The next flood outlook will be released in late March and will have a better assessment of Manitoba’s spring runoff conditions at that time. 

The Manitoba government, local authorities and First Nations communities are proactively preparing for any spring flooding. This includes ice cutting and breaking on the Red River in late February, reviewing emergency plans, information sharing between governments and preparing resources used in flood responses. 

The 2024 spring flood outlook report is available at: https://gov.mb.ca/mti/floodinfo/pdf/2024/february_2024_flood_outlook_report.pdf.


Posted: February 22, 2024

The Manitoba Government started it's annual ice-jam mitigation program on Feb. 20, 2024 and will be cutting ice along the Red River from Selkirk to the Netley-Libau Marsh to reduce the chances of flooding caused by ice jams.

Work is expected to be completed on March 15, 2024.

These amphibex machines will open up a channel about 100 metres wide, spanning for 28 kms from Selkirk north.

Notices will be posted in areas where ice cutting operations are occurring and the public is advised to stay off the ice in these areas.

Ice fishers are also reminded to remove any shacks in these areas.

Read full article by CBC News here: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/ice-breaking-operations-amphibex-red-river-manitoba-1.7120156


Posted: December 15, 2023

Manitoba EMO on behalf of the Hydrological Forecast Centre has provided the 2023 Manitoba Basins Fall Conditions Report, this report provides the conditions of the basins at freeze up.

Below is an overview highlighting the information that is most relevant to the RM of St. Andrews:

  • The Interlake region, including the Fisher and Icelandic River basins and southeastern Manitoba have near normal soil moisture, while most other basins – including western and northern basins – have generally below normal soil moisture levels.
  • Normal to below normal soil moisture levels thus far indicate a potential for 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.
  • Base flows and levels on most Manitoba rivers are normal to below normal for this time of the year.
  • Lake Winnipeg is within its operating range of 711 ft – 715 ft.
  • All the three lakes are tracking between 0. 5 ft to 1.0 ft below normal levels for this time of year.
  • Environment and Climate Change Canada’s latest long-term precipitation forecast indicates a potential for equal chances of above normal, below normal or near normal precipitation from December to February for most Manitoba basins.
  • Global weather prediction centres indicate that an El Nino climate condition is expected to persist through the winter and spring.
  • The effect of El Nino is variable across the globe, but generally, for Manitoba, it is characterized by above normal temperatures and below normal to near normal precipitation from December to April.
  • Flows and levels on the Red River are expected to maintain below normal conditions in the period prior to the spring runoff.
  • Lake Winnipeg is expected to be near 712.5 ft by end of March.

For more details, you can view the report here: 2023 Manitoba Basins Fall Conditions Report

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.


  
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