photo: DANIEL BETZE

Opposition seeks high ground as flood waters recede

Manitoba’s opposition party wants action on flood mitigation 
but is a little shallow on details

There are some muddy politics swirling around Manitoba’s flood waters. On July 30, Manitoba’s opposition Tories called for a moratorium on drainage in both Saskatchewan and Manitoba, as part of a Progressive Conservative plan to reduce flooding. Tory water critic, Shannon Martin said he had asked “the province to engage our counterparts in Saskatchewan to

Souris River flooding north of Melita, Man.

KAP still pushing AgriRecovery

The Manitoba and Saskatchewan governments say they’re still assessing the damage

Keystone Agricultural Producers (KAP) continues to build a case for an AgriRecovery program to assist Manitoba farmers who couldn’t seed or lost crops due to flooding or excessive moisture this season. “We’re continuing to engage as many members as we can to get information and provide supporting rationale for a program,” KAP president Doug Chorney


Code Red

Code Red

St. Andrews’ new software program 
will boost localized warning system and improve communication with residents 
during emergencies

Sometimes a whole lot of people have the same question. And when everyone asks at the same time, as they do in emergency situations, the confusion builds and adds to the stress all around. This week the RM of St. Andrews municipality becomes the first in Manitoba to adopt a new software program that can

A field of hay was under water within hours after there was an intentional breach on the west side of the Portage Diversion July 4. It would have been the first hay harvested from the field since 2010. Local landowners want help.  Photo: Sandi Knight

Hazy disaster aid outlook for flooded farmers

There are ongoing discussions, but no action for producers still seeking compensation for 2012 flooding

Contrary to reports last week, governments have not ruled out additional assistance through AgriRecovery for flooded Prairie farmers, an official with Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz’s office said Monday. However, it’s not officially on the table either — at least not yet. The minister’s office was busy trying to clarify reports emerging from a July 18


Property owners affected by Lake Manitoba flooding appeal for public support.  photo: Sandi Knight

New outlets could begin operating prior to completion

Farmers and residents around Lake Manitoba say flood mitigation is needed immediately 
and the province says it’s on its way

Construction of a second Lake Manitoba outlet to ease flooding for landowners around the lake could begin in less than two years, Manitoba’s minister of emergency measures said last week. “If we see things move ahead fairly smoothly, you could see construction as early as 2016,” said Steve Ashton, who is also Manitoba’s minister of

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


Difficult questions

The short-term questions arising from what is shaping up to be another billion-dollar-plus flood for the province are clear, although they may not be easily answered. How do you care for livestock that has no pasture and for which there is vastly reduced prospects for winter feed? Or how to get people back into their

The Assiniboine was expected to crest at the Portage la Prairie Diversion earlier this week.  Photo: Shannon VanRaes

KAP calls for special assistance

It’s urging the province to request AgriRecovery

Farm leaders are calling for special disaster assistance as flood losses in Manitoba appear ready to top the billion-dollar flood of 2011. “It’s pretty hard to ignore the fact that there is a widespread problem that needs attention from all levels of government because rural municipalities and farmers on their own just can’t cope with


Summer flood bulletin #13

Province of Manitoba –The Manitoba government advises a provincial state of emergency remains in place along the lower Assiniboine River from Portage la Prairie to Winnipeg to allow for preparations for high water flows. The Assiniboine River is cresting today at the Portage Diversion. Work to prepare for the high flows on the lower Assiniboine

Man speaking into microphone.

Disasters at home can have worldwide impacts

Not all locations have the same value when it comes to flood mitigation and disaster management — rural municipalities need to evaluate

Municipalities don’t have to wait for a flood to figure out where they are most vulnerable and what they can do to protect key resources, a climate change mapping expert told the recent Disaster Management Conference in Winnipeg. Harvey Hill of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s climate decision support and adaptation unit explained the benefits that