High-water advisory issued for Assiniboine
Advertisement
Read this article for free:
or
Already have an account? Log in here »
We need your support!
Local journalism needs your support!
As we navigate through unprecedented times, our journalists are working harder than ever to bring you the latest local updates to keep you safe and informed.
Now, more than ever, we need your support.
Starting at $15.99 plus taxes every four weeks you can access your Brandon Sun online and full access to all content as it appears on our website.
Subscribe Nowor call circulation directly at (204) 727-0527.
Your pledge helps to ensure we provide the news that matters most to your community!
To continue reading, please subscribe:
Add Brandon Sun access to your Free Press subscription for only an additional
$1 for the first 4 weeks*
*Your next subscription payment will increase by $1.00 and you will be charged $20.00 plus GST for four weeks. After four weeks, your payment will increase to $24.00 plus GST every four weeks.
Read unlimited articles for free today:
or
Already have an account? Log in here »
The province has issued a high-water advisory for the Assiniboine River between the Shellmouth Dam north of Russell to Portage la Prairie as snowmelt is expected to raise water levels over the coming days.
Warming spring weather next week is expected to speed up snowmelt and increase ice movement across south and central Manitoba, the province said in a bulletin on Friday afternoon.
“This will elevate the risk of ice jam-related flooding and overland flooding, particularly in the Parkland region,” the bulletin said. “Runoff is expected to begin early next week across much of central Manitoba, including the Parkland and Interlake regions, as well as the Fisher River and Icelandic River basins.”
Traffic on the 18th Street bridge passes over the swollen and partially frozen Assiniboine River on Friday evening. The province has issued a high-water advisory for the Assiniboine River between the Shellmouth Dam near Russell and Portage la Prairie as snowmelt raises the river level. (Tim Smith/The Brandon Sun)
Water flows along the Assiniboine River are influenced in part by operations at the Shellmouth Dam, which are carried out in consultation with the Shellmouth Dam Liaison Committee, the province said.
The Assiniboine flows past Brandon, St-Lazare, Sioux Valley Dakota Nation, Shellmouth, Millwood, Birdtail Sioux First Nation, Spring Valley Colony, Dakota Plains First Nation, Gambler First Nation and Dakota Tipi First Nation in the affected area between Shellmouth and Portage.
The advisory comes after the province earlier this week warned of elevated risk of flooding, and municipal officials in the Parkland region said they were preparing for the annual event.
When reached by the Sun on Monday, Municipality of Swan Valley West Reeve Bill Gade said he was concerned about serious overland flooding in his area.
“It’s getting scary up here, because the longer it doesn’t melt, the faster it usually does, all at once,” he said.
Impacts from the annual spring snowmelt are most costly when they wash out roads, he said.
Friday’s bulletin said low-lying areas may see overland flooding, and residents are encouraged to keep on top of updates, particularly those who live near rivers, streams and low-lying areas, as spring runoff approaches. Conditions can change rapidly, especially with warm temperatures or rainfall, the province said.
The hydrologic forecast centre will continue to update forecasts as spring conditions develop. Information is posted at Manitoba.ca/flooding/.
» cmcdowell@brandonsun.com