Manitoba has issued a high water warning for the Red River south of Winnipeg.
High water levels along the Red River from Emerson to the floodway inlet have made it necessary to activate the floodway gates and divert water from the Red River into the floodway.
Infrastructure Minister Ron Schuler said “We could activate the Red River Floodway for the first time in 2020 as early as the evening of Thursday, April 9. As Manitoba prepares for the rising waters of the Red River, we are taking measures to protect properties that could potentially be affected by high water.”
The province is waiting for the river ice to break up and clear upstream of the inlet. Shuler noted that the breakup is unlikely to happen before tomorrow and may even take a day or two longer.
Water began to flow naturally into the floodway as the river south of the city is reaching capacity and is close to spilling its banks.
Water levels are expected to peak at Emerson between April 15 and 20 with the peak expected to reach the Red River Floodway between April 19 and 24. With the operation of the floodway, the Red River level in Winnipeg at James Avenue is expected to peak between 19 and 19.5 feet between April 13 and 17.
High water warnings are issued when water levels on rivers and lakes are exceeding or are expected to exceed flood stage within 24 hours.
© News4.ca 2020
