Funding to help manage flooding in Lake St. Martin and Lake Manitoba has been promised by the federal and provincial governments.
$540 million has been committed to the Lake Manitoba and Lake St. Martin outlet channels. The federal government will be putting in up to $247.5 million into the project with Manitobans picking up the tab for the rest.
During times of flooding and high-water levels on Lake Manitoba, the new outlet channel will carry water directly from Lake Manitoba to Lake St. Martin. The Fairford River is the natural outlet to Lake St. Martin. The Lake St. Martin channel will move water directly to Lake Winnipeg. The Dauphin River is the natural outlet to Lake Winnipeg from Lake St. Martin.
[jaw_quote author=”Brian Pallister – Manitoba Premier” ]We are focused on completing this project in a timely fashion to better protect Manitobans who have sacrificed so much[/jaw_quote][jaw_clear]
Two 23 kilometre channels, two bridges, a water control structure, power distribution lines and adjusting of surrounding highway infrastructure are all part of the project.
Once complete the project will help to regulate water levels on both lakes and protect local communities from flooding.
Construction is expected to begin by fall of 2019.
As part of the process for the construction of the outlet channels, the province is inviting the public to share their views on the projects.
“These are major flood management projects and will be as essential as the Red River Floodway and the Portage Diversion in provincial flood-fighting efforts,” said Infrastructure Minister Ron Schuler. “Manitoba is a collection point of major watersheds that start outside of the province but can result in widespread flooding, devastation, costly cleanup and years of restoration.”
The minister said that the projects are designed to “provide maximum water movement in times of heavy flooding with minimal impact on landowners and the environment.”
The open houses feature two sessions from 2 to 5 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m., and are scheduled for:
• Tuesday, June 19 – Moosehorn Community Hall, Railway Avenue, Moosehorn;
• Wednesday, June 20 – St. Laurent Recreation Centre Lot 826, PTH 6 St., 6 Veteran’s Memorial Dr., St. Laurent;
• Thursday, June 21 – Canad Inns Destination Centre, 2401 Saskatchewan Ave., Portage la Prairie;
• Wednesday, June 27 – Canad Inns Destination Centre Fort Garry, 1824 Pembina Hwy., Winnipeg.
© 2018 News 4, a DigiPix Media Group company
.
