Manitoba Transportation and Infrastructure’s Hydrologic Forecast Centre has issued an overland flood warning for areas in northwestern Manitoba, including Swan River, The Pas, and Flin Flon. This comes as forecasters continue to monitor a precipitation system that could bring up to 50 millimetres of a rain and snow mix in these areas over the next three days.
The Hydrologic Forecast Centre indicates that spring runoff due to snowmelt is underway or nearly completed in most southern Manitoba basins. However, heavy precipitation on partially frozen ground could create overland flooding.
Southern and central Manitoba, including the Interlake, Whiteshell lakes, Riding Mountain, and Duck Mountain regions, could receive up to 25 mm of precipitation in the next three days, starting tomorrow morning. The risk of overland flooding in these areas depends on the amount and timing of the precipitation event.
The Hydrologic Forecast Centre also indicates that the fast snowmelt rate in the upper Assiniboine River basin in Saskatchewan has created significantly high flows along the Assiniboine River. A flood warning remains in place for the Assiniboine River between the Shellmouth Dam and Brandon, with water levels expected to be over the banks at these locations until the first week of May.
The Manitoba Emergency Management Organization (EMO) continues to work with all local authorities and emergency management partners to provide guidance and support in response to spring flooding. Manitoba EMO is also working with Indigenous Services Canada and Manitoba Municipal and Northern Relations to support First Nation and Northern Affairs communities’ flood response.
Manitobans are reminded to stay off waterways including creeks, streams, rivers, and the floodway due to high flows, debris, and cold water temperatures presenting a significant safety risk. The public is also asked to keep away from flooded areas, water control structures including dams and diversions, and areas where flood response crews are working.
Up-to-date information on highway conditions, including detours and road closures, is available at www.manitoba511.ca or by calling 511. For flood mitigation assistance, residents can contact their municipal authority. In case of an emergency, residents are advised to contact 911.
For questions about forecasts, water levels, provincial waterways, or provincial water control infrastructure, residents can call 204-945-1165 or email floodinfo@gov.mb.ca.
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