severely flooded field in Manitoba

‘Disaster by design’ wreaks flood havoc on the Prairies

Meeting participants agreed the only way forward is to collaborate on a plan

Some have coined the term “disaster by design” to capture how severe weather now impacts those farming and living on the Prairies. But improved long-term planning for times of excess and drought can reduce our vulnerability to the latter, said speakers at the inaugural Assiniboine River Basin Initiative conference in Regina earlier this month. “One

Manitoba flooding at the Portage Diversion

Manitoba flood compensation dollars flow

Landowners along the Portage Diversion are eligible

The flood waters have receded and now it’s cash that is flowing. The Manitoba government announced last week that farmers whose lands were flooded as a result of the decision to use the Portage Diversion this past summer will be eligible for $1.15 million in compensation. “During our flood response, the Manitoba government used the


people at a meeting

Assiniboine River Basin Initiative formed

The new organization will tackle water-related issues between 
Saskatchewan, Manitoba, North Dakota

A new grassroots group has emerged following a historic agreement in Regina this month to pursue a cross-boundary planning organization for the Assiniboine River basin. The three-day meeting held here last week laid the groundwork for the new organization to move forward and begin serving stakeholders in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and North Dakota, to seek co-ordinated

Rainfall flood watch issued for Southwest Assiniboine River area

Province of Manitoba – Manitoba Infrastructure and Transportation’s Hydrologic Forecast and Water Management Centre advises water levels on the Assiniboine and Souris rivers in the southwest area of the province are rising due to heavy rainfall. The Assiniboine River and Souris River watershed has received 280 to 300 per cent above the normal precipitation from

Support for Assiniboine River water commission grows

Support for Assiniboine River water commission grows

Stakeholders will meet again at November convention in Regina to formalize organization

The push to create a water commission for the Assiniboine River Basin is gaining momentum following the catastrophic flooding in western Manitoba and eastern Saskatchewan this spring. “This ongoing (flooding) event has certainly heightened awareness of the need for a basin-wide agency,” said Wanda McFadyen, who was hired by the Prairie Improvement Network to manage


Summer flood bulletin #25

Province of Manitoba – Flood Response The Manitoba government, municipalities and other partners continue to work together on flood recovery efforts in western Manitoba. Early estimates indicate that flood response and repairs will exceed $200 million.  This does not include agricultural losses as they continue to be assessed. The provincial state of emergency continues for

Souris farmer Walter Finlay (r) shows KAP president Doug Chorney one of his fields that was too wet to seed this spring. photo allan dawson

Short-term aid, long-term solutions needed

The province is assessing whether AgriRecovery can be triggered

Special programs will be needed to help compensate farmers for nearly 3.5 million acres of cropland either unseeded or drowned out by flood waters, Keystone Agricultural Producers said last week. Manitoba farmers need short-term aid through AgriRecovery to offset an estimated billion dollars in losses caused by flooding and excessive rains and longer-term efforts to

Summer flood bulletin #23

Assiniboine River – Portage Diversion Flows on the Assiniboine River at the Portage Diversion crested at 3:15 a.m. on July 15 at a flow of 51,480 cubic feet per second (cfs), slightly lower than the earlier summer crest.  Flows are expected to decline slowly. This morning, flows on the Assiniboine River into the Portage Reservoir


Summer flood bulletin #22

Province of Manitoba – Assiniboine River – Portage Diversion There have been 500 members of the Canadian Armed Forces, more than 400 staff from Manitoba Infrastructure and Transportation, 100 staff from other government departments and 120 Manitoba Hydro staff supporting flood-fighting efforts at the Hoop and Holler Bend and along the Portage Diversion, as well

Summer flood bulletin #20

Province of Manitoba –  Disaster Financial Assistance The Manitoba government advises that a disaster financial assistance program is in place for this year’s summer flood. The Manitoba government will provide flood-fighting municipalities with advanced disaster financial assistance funding to help with current financial demands. Application forms and further details about the program are available online