Winnipeg - Another spring flood outlook has been released and it continues to suggest the risk of widespread major flooding remains low to moderate across most of Manitoba. However, there is a moderate risk of some overland flooding in low-lying areas along the Red and Assiniboine Rivers according to Infrastructure Minister Ron Schuler.
But even that risk is predicted to produce levels not requiring flood protection.
Highlights of the outlook include:
• the risk of major flooding continues to be low for the Souris, Qu’Appelle and Pembina Rivers and their tributaries and within flood protection levels even with unfavourable weather conditions;
• the risk of major flooding in the Interlake region and for most major lakes, including Lakes Winnipeg, Manitoba and Dauphin and the Whiteshell lakes is low.
Schuler says they will keep monitoring for flooding caused by ice jams because cold weather and less snow cover created thicker ice on some rivers.
The Portage Diversion will likely be used for ice control along the Lower Assiniboine River and also to limit downstream Assiniboine River flows in case of unfavorable weather conditions.
The Shellmouth Dam will continue operations to reach summer levels after the spring run-off.
The March outlook and other information is available online at www.gov.mb.ca/flooding.
