Province advises numerous municipalities, roads, waterways affected by weekend rain

Manitoba Media Bulletin: June 30, 2014 – Heavy rain and high winds have had significant impacts in many communities and municipalities across southern Manitoba.  Many municipalities have declared a state of local emergency (SOLE) and many roads are affected by overland flooding or may be impassable. Manitoba Infrastructure and Transportation reports the following highway closures:

Man

Flooded Lake Manitoba landowners still seeking additional compensation

Landowners along the Portage Diversion and around Lake Manitoba continue to pursue legal action 
against the province, but the process is a slow one

It’s been more than a year since a group of farmers, residents and business owners launched a $260-million lawsuit against the provincial government and three years since the 2011 flood that sparked it. Yet, those who believe the operation of the Portage Diversion resulted in the flooding of their lands have yet to see legal


Manitoba flood bulletin #4: April 14, 2014

Province of Manitoba media bulletin – Summary Temperatures are expected to remain below freezing throughout most of southern Manitoba for the early part of this week. These temperatures are expected to slow melting and run-off. A high water advisory is in place for the Whitemud River from Gladstone to Lake Manitoba due to high flows

Protesting farmers used farm equipment to temporarily block access to the Portage Diversion April 29.   Photo: shannon vanraes

Farmers, government spar over use of Portage Diversion

The channel ‘park-in’ demonstration by Lake Manitoba farmers and landowners 
was aimed at bringing attention to the government’s handling of 2011 flood

A protest by 60 fed-up Lake Manitoba-area farmers and landowners at the Portage Diversion April 29 was still making waves this week as organizers prepared for a court hearing into the province’s injunction against them. Kevin Yuill, who farms about 3,000 acres north of Portage la Prairie, organized the event that saw tractors and heavy


Flood review makes recommendations but assigns no blame

Lake Manitoba flooding might have occurred without the use 
of the Portage Diversion, according to the authors 
of a report on the 2011 flood

Those looking for a clear answer on what caused flooding around Lake Manitoba in 2011 won’t find it in the newly released Manitoba 2011 Flood Review. Completed in conjunction with a regulation review of Lake St. Martin and Lake Manitoba, the report makes 126 recommendations, including the construction of a second permanent outlet structure for

Province sued over 2011 flooding

Residents say province’s bid to protect Winnipeg by diverting water into 
Lake Manitoba greatly increased the damage they suffered

A group of frustrated Lake Manitoba residents is suing the province for $260 million for what they say was the artificial flooding of their homes, cottages and property in 2011. “That was a man-made flood, and it was a government decision that caused it,” said Fred Pisclevich, one of the plaintiffs hoping the lawsuit will


Drainage critics predict more water heading our way

Critics say Saskatchewan’s plan to increase crop production by 10 million tonnes by 2020 will greatly increase illegal drainage — and send more water rushing towards Manitoba. The provincial government’s ambitious plan, which also includes doubling agricultural exports by decade’s end, needs to be coupled with better water management, said Charles Deschamps, a Wadena-based resource

A slow melt is needed to reduce flood risk

The province is preparing for spring flooding, as heavy helpings of snow
and a late melt buoy the likelihood of high water

Recent snowfall has increased the risk of flooding in Manitoba this spring, according to government officials. Although the widespread and prolonged flooding of 2011 isn’t expected at this time, the province is preparing to close community ring dikes in the Red River Valley and expects Highway 75 to be closed for a period of weeks.



Province brings in more help with flood assessments

staff / The Manitoba government is hiring more property assessors to speed up appraisals for flood-affected properties around Lake Manitoba, Infrastructure and Transportation Minister Steve Ashton announced June 7. As well, the province has added six new commissioners to help with the claims appeals process. Ashton said more than 65 per cent of applicants have