The province’s latest flood outlook calls for an increased risk of spring flooding, with levels potentially reaching those seen in 2009.

Heavy March snowfall, above-average snowpack and high water content are leading to the increased flood concerns, said officials.

Low temperatures are also keeping frost in the ground longer than normal.

“In addition to heavier-than-average snowfall, which was 200 per cent of normal in much of Manitoba, Saskatchewan and North Dakota this month, provincial forecasters have concluded that cooler than normal temperatures have increased the depth to which soil remains frozen,” said the province.

Officials in North Dakota previously said parts of that state could see major flooding this spring.

"While all these factors have increased the risk of flooding to moderate to major, conditions can change quickly and the outlook is still very dependent on weather conditions from now until the spring melt,” said the province.

Gates on the Red River Floodway have been refurbished and are ready for operation once ice has been cleared, said the province.

Red Deer Lake could see record water levels which may result in evacuations, said the province.

Along the Assiniboine River, there is a risk of moderate to major flooding, said provincial officials.

Along the Red River, spring flooding could range from minor to major, said the province.

Ashton says that right now it looks like there will be a flood similar to 2009 when about 500 homes were deluged with water or damaged by shifting frozen slabs. Damage totalled about $60 million.

"No one is pressing any panic button," Ashton said Tuesday at a news conference in Winnipeg.

The province sent out amphibex machines in February to start work on breaking up ice and the work is continuing.

Manitoba also has two million sandbags and six sandbagging machines ready, along with water-filled barriers, steamers and mobile pumps. About 90 volunteers have also been providing snow information to the forecasting centre.

The province said flooding this year is not expected to be a prolonged event.

Ashton said the areas of most concern this year are the Fisher River and Peguis First Nations, about 200 kilometres north of the provincial capital. Both places were also hit hard in 2009.

"We're going to be watching the situation on the Fisher River very closely," the minister said. "There are some scenarios where there could potentially be significant evacuations and a significant need to protect homes."

- with files from The Canadian Press