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Updated spring flood outlook – Manitoba

Apr. 12, 2013, Winnipeg, MB - Manitoba Infrastructure and Transportation's Hydrologic Forecast Centre of has issued its third 2013 spring flood outlook, which reports:

• Additional snowfall in Saskatchewan and continued cool temperatures have delayed snow melt and kept frost in the ground much longer than normal across Manitoba, increasing the likelihood of moderate to major flooding for the Assiniboine and Souris rivers;
• Based on additional information from American forecasters, the outlook also indicates the flood risk has increased from minor to moderate to moderate to major for the Roseau and Pembina rivers; and
• The risk remains moderate to major for the Red River, as indicated in the March outlook, and is also unchanged for the northwest and Interlake regions of the province.

The delayed melt has left major rivers and tributaries with a thick ice cover and below-normal flows for the month of April. Future weather conditions will affect the magnitude of the spring flood potential. The amount of additional snow and rain, the timing and rate of the spring thaw and the timing of peak flows in Manitoba, the U.S. and other provinces will have a significant effect on flood potential. Delayed melt and the potential for spring rainstorms could result in rapid snow melt, aggravating overland flooding and increasing tributary flows. Based on Environment Canada's long-range weather forecast, melt and subsequent run-off may start as early as April 17.

Flood-fighting equipment has been placed around the province to bolster emergency response. This includes two million sandbags, six sandbagging machines, 17,000 super sandbags, 43 kilometres of Hesco cage barriers, 50 km of water-filled barriers, and 34 mobile pumps ready to deploy on an emergency basis provincewide.

The detailed outlook with text and charts is available at www.gov.mb.ca/mit/floodinfo/index.html.

April 12, 2013  By Province of Manitoba