Manitoba Infrastructure is recommending an evacuation of people and livestock from an area along the Little Saskatchewan River downstream of the Rivers Dam.
The provincial government has lost confidence in the dam as it is facing unprecedented flows along the Little Saskatchewan River following heavy rains over the last few days.
The province says that 30-40 properties could be evacuated
Engineers have indicated that there is a potential that the dam may sustain a structural failure.
Riverdale, Whitehead, Cornwallis and the City of Brandon have been notified.
Officials are working to make sure residents downstream of the dam are aware of the situation and have a place to go if they are asked to evacuate.
Manitoba Infrastructure is recommending that all use of Lake Wahtopanah be suspended immediately. Lake Wahtopanah is the reservoir that was created when the dam was built in the 1960s.
Overland flooding is also being reported along the Assiniboine River watershed. A number of rivers, including the Little Saskatchewan River, are above flood stage and low-lying land near the river is affected.
A high water advisory is in place for the Spruce Woods Provincial Park area.
The province says that the Portage Diversion could begin to be operated within the next 48 hours to limit flows in the lower Assiniboine River to 10,000 cubic feet per second. The operation of the diversion is not expected to significantly increase Lake Manitoba levels which are currently in the middle of the desired range at 811.5 feet.
© News4.ca 2020
