Manitoba government and municipalities prepare for spring flooding
The province’s Hydrologic Forecast Centre has released it’s flood outlook for the 2017 spring run-off. Although the province says that levels of spring flooding will be dependent on future weather conditions all indications are that we should expect moderate to major flooding in many areas of Manitoba.
“At this time, we encourage communities to continue with preparatory measures such as ensuring emergency protocols are in place,” Infrastructure Minister Blaine Pedersen said. “The province’s Hydrologic Forecast Centre will continue to closely monitor precipitation, spring melt and inflows from the northern United States in the Red River Basin and the Souris River basin in the west. As the flood outlook becomes clearer, we want to ensure the safety of our communities and all Manitobans.”
As of today the forecast model suggests that the Red, Souris, Pembina, Roseau and Lower Assiniboine rivers and the Whiteshell Lakes areas are at major risk of flooding. Overland flooding risk is moderate in the interlake, along the upper Assiniboine River and the northern portion of the province including the Saskatchewan River.
Of concern to forecasters is the fact that major lakes and river flows are normal to above normal for this time of year.
On the positive side the early melt in mid-February has reduced the snowpack south of Grand Forks, North Dakota and has slightly reduced the expected flood flows on the Red River. The downside to the melt is that it has left soil in the area saturated which may cause problems from future rain or snow.
The province will release another flood forecast in late March. In the mean time the province and local municipalities will continue to prepare for spring flooding.
-News4 Staff-
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