FLOOD REPORT FOR

April 30, 2013

Flood Warning*: - Swan River and tributaries - Whitemud River

High Water Advisory*: - Pembina River - Smaller tributaries and drains in the Dauphin-Swan River area, southeastern, and south-central Manitoba

Strong Wind Warning in Effect for Lake , Lake Manitoba, Lake , Lake St. Martin, and Shoal Lakes

Summary

 Operation of the Red River Floodway commenced yesterday at 6pm, the water level above the Floodway inlet this morning was at 753.5 ft. Flows through the floodway are approximately 4100 cfs. Flows upstream of the Floodway inlet are 48,300 cfs. The James Avenue gauge is not providing accurate readings today; the estimated James Avenue level is 17.9 feet.

 Operation of the Portage Diversion began yesterday at 11pm. Flows in the Portage Diversion Channel this morning were approximately 7,800 cfs, with 4,900 cfs flow downstream on the Assiniboine River. The diversion is operated to minimize ice jams on the Assiniboine River downstream of the diversion, and to manage surges of water associated with upstream ice jams.

 Due to increasing inflows, operation of the outlet from the Shellmouth Dam is planned over the next two days to increase outflows in stages up to 1,600 cfs.

 Due to high winds from the north, the risk of ice pile-up is high on the south basin of Lake Winnipeg, the south basin of Lake Manitoba, the south shore of Lake Winnipegosis; the south shore of Lake St. Martin, and the south shore of the Shoal Lakes.

 Ice movement has affected gauges in a number of locations across the province. Some of the prominent gauges include: Holland on the Assiniboine River, Morris and Breezy Point on the Red River, Russell on the Assiniboine River, and Windygates on the Pembina River. Crews have been dispatched to restore the operation of these gauges.

Weather

 Temperatures today are generally cold and windy in most areas. Snow or sleet is forecast for much of and eastern Saskatchewan.

 Temperatures are generally cool for remainder of the week, warming to the weekend. There is a low chance of precipitation in most areas for the remainder of the week.

Red River

 Flows on the Red River at Fargo are near crest at 16,800 cfs. Current river level is 32.9ft.

 The Red River is continuing to track the favourable weather condition forecast. Peak flows of approximately 60,000 cfs at Emerson are expected around May 6th.

 Flows on most of the smaller Red River tributaries are continuing to drop. The La Salle and Roseau Rivers are continuing to rise slowly.

Winnipeg

 Operation of the Red River Floodway commenced yesterday at 6pm, the water level above the Floodway inlet this morning was at 753.5 ft. Flows through the floodway are approximately 4100 cfs. Flows upstream of the Floodway inlet are 48,300 cfs.

 The James Avenue gauge is not providing accurate readings today; the estimated James Avenue level is 17.9 feet.

Eastern Region

 Flows on streams and tributaries in the Eastern Region are continuing to drop. Unless unfavourable weather develops water levels are expected to remain within bank.

Assiniboine River

 Runoff on streams and tributaries in the upper Assiniboine basin is steadily increasing. Flows on the Assiniboine River at Kamsack were reported at 1,700 cfs, and flows on the Qu’Appelle River near Welby, Sk, were reported at 1,400 cfs.

 The Shellmouth Reservoir water level is at 1385.7 feet, up 1 ft since yesterday. Inflows to the reservoir were 4,437 cfs and outflows were 100 cfs. Operation of the outlet from the dam is planned over the next two days. Outflows will increase in stages up to 1,600 cfs.

 Operation of the Portage Diversion began yesterday at 11pm. Flows in the Portage Diversion Channel this morning were approximately 7,800 cfs, with 4,900 cfs flow downstream on the Assiniboine River. The diversion is being operated to minimize ice jams on the Assiniboine River downstream of the diversion, and to manage surges of water associated with upstream ice jams.

 It was reported in error yesterday that the Assiniboine River was ice free from the Shellmouth Dam to a point upstream of Holland. In fact, it was reported by field staff yesterday evening that ice remains in a number of locations between Shellmouth and Brandon. Ice has moved out upstream of the Portage Diversion.

Souris River

 The water level gauges at the towns of Melita and Souris are unserviceable due to ice; staff will begin taking manual readings until the gauges are restored.

 A new forecast has been prepared for the Souris River, new forecasted peak levels are provided for Melita, Souris, and Wawanesa

Westman Region

 Ice jams near Gladstone caused localized flooding in the town of Gladstone. Levels on the Whitemud River is dropping upstream of Gladstone.

Interlake

 Flows on the Fisher and Icelandic Rivers are continuing to drop. Unless unfavourable weather develops water levels are expected to remain within bank.

Parkland & Swan River Region

 Flows on Dauphin Lake tributaries remain high. The Valley River and many small tributaries are continuing to increase, while flows on the Vermillion decreased substantially but remain high.

 Swan River was reported to have peaked last night approximately 3 inches below flood stage, the river has dropped 1 ft since reaching the peak water level.

 Recent cold temperatures are slowing runoff in this region.

The Pas/Kelsey Region

 Flows on the Saskatchewan River were reported at 31,300 cfs this morning, while flows on the Carrot River were reported at 230 cfs.

 Recent cold temperatures are slowing runoff in this region.

Manitoba Lakes

 Manitoba’s major lakes remain mostly ice covered but many are beginning to break-up and/or melt. Due to high winds from the north, the risk of ice pile-up is high on the south basin of Lake Winnipeg, the south basin of Lake Manitoba, the south shore of Lake Winnipegosis, the south shore of Lake St. Martin, and the south shore of the Shoal Lakes.

 Lake Manitoba at Steep Rock was reported at 811.8 ft (daily average level) and Lake Winnipeg was 713.1 ft (wind eliminated level). The water level of other major lakes is reported in today’s flood sheet.

*Definitions Flood Warning: A flood warning is issued when river levels are exceeding bankfull and a flood is occurring or imminent.

Flood Watch: A flood watch is issued when river levels are approaching bankfull stage and are likely to overflow.

High Water Advisory: A high water advisory is issued when a heavy storm or high flows are expected and may cause water levels to rise but not necessarily exceed bankfull.