Major risk of flooding on Red River this spring, predicts Manitoba government
Recent snowstorms south of the border have upped Manitoba's flooding risk on the Red River this spring, but provincial officials don't think it will be enough to force the closure of Highway 75.
On Wednesday, Manitoba’s Hydrologic Forecast Centre released its March spring flood outlook, showing a low to moderate risk of flooding in most basins in the province.
"Right now it is looking really good here in Manitoba when it comes to either normal or below normal precipitation," said Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Doyle Piwniuk, pointing to watersheds including the Assiniboine, Souris and Pembina Valleys, along with the Interlake and Whiteshell.
"These are all sort of below normal as compared to last year, but anything can change."
However, the province is warning there is a major risk of flooding on the Red River, from Emerson to the Red River Floodway Inlet, thanks to recent snowstorms in North Dakota.
The centre says if the weather is favourable, this risk may only be moderate.
"We are going to be preparing for the worst, but we're hoping for the best," said Piwniuk.
Check out photos from last year's flood in Manitoba
Flooding in Manitoba is pictured during an aerial tour on May 15, 2022. (Source: Media pool camera)
While there is a concern of flooding along the Red River, a major trucking artery in southern Manitoba may make it through unscathed.
Fisaha Unduche, the executive director of Manitoba's hydrologic forecasting and water management, said flood levels in 2020 were at the crest of Highway 75, but did not require the road be shut down. He said the province is expecting similar flood levels this year.
"We don't expect to shut it down this year," Unduche said.
Areas in Manitoba where the flood risk is low to moderate include the Interlake region, along the Fisher and Icelandic Rivers, and the Assiniboine River. The risk is also low along several other rivers including Souris, Roseau, Rat and Pembina. Water levels in these areas are expected to stay below flood protection levels.
The province notes there is also a low flooding risk for most other basins, including the Saskatchewan River, the Whiteshell Lakes area and northern Manitoba. Most Manitoba lakes, other than Dauphin Lake and Lake St. Martin, are expected to remain within operating ranges after the spring run-off.
Manitoba has completed ice-cutting and breaking along the Red and Icelandic Rivers in order to prevent ice jam-related flooding. The province also expects to operate the Red River Floodway and Portage Diversion this spring.
Piwniuk said a lot can still change, pointing to last spring when the province was hit with several Colorado Lows in April.
"We could have been unscathed during the spring melt, it was just the systems that came in," he said. "The outlook for the next two weeks looks pretty promising, so that's where we have to be hoping for the best here."
The full March 2023 spring flood outlook report is available online.
-with files from CTV's Kayla Rosen
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
'Tactical evacuations' underway near Fort Nelson, B.C., as wildfires encroach
The BC Wildfire Service says 'tactical evacuations' began Friday near Fort Nelson, B.C., due to an out-of-control wildfire that has grown rapidly since it was discovered earlier in the afternoon.
Snowbirds in Vancouver for puck-drop flyby as Canucks face Oilers
The Canadian Forces Snowbirds will be performing a flyover across downtown Vancouver at the start of tonight's Stanley Cup playoff game between the Canucks and the Edmonton Oilers.
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
Video shows naked raccoon catching B.C. family by surprise
When Marvin Henschel spotted a strange and hairless creature wandering through a front lawn in B.C.'s Lower Mainland, he could barely believe his eyes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Out-of-control wildfire prompts evacuation alert for Fort McMurray, Saprae Creek Estates Friday night
An evacuation alert was issued for two Wood Buffalo communities Friday night, as crews battled an out-of-control wildfire near Fort McMurray.