Manitoba flood bulletin #5: April 16, 2014

Province of Manitoba media bulletin Summary Prolonged temperatures of as much as 15 degrees cooler than normal have prevented ice breakup on the Red River from Emerson to Winnipeg. The ice remains 10 to 20 per cent thicker than normal for this time of year. The Red River at Emerson is expected to peak on

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


Manitoba flood bulletin #3: April 13, 2014

Province of Manitoba media bulletin – Summary The Portage Diversion is operating for management of ice on the lower Assiniboine River. Channel flows may reach 2,500 cubic feet per second (cfs) in the next 24 hours. Portage Reservoir inflows and upstream conditions are being monitored to inform operating decisions. A high water advisory continues for

Man speaking at a press conference.

Unlikely floodway will be used this spring

With ice thicker than normal, ice jams could be an issue on some rivers 
in the province, and localized flooding hasn’t been ruled out

The province’s March 31 outlook for “near-normal” flooding for most of Manitoba had a wrench thrown into it by a snowstorm in the northern U.S. and southern Manitoba last week. “After the last few springs I’m not sure what normal is; it seems like normal is actually when we have major flooding,” Emergency Measures Minister


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

Ice breaking top priority in flood fight

Dry soil and low river and lake levels will help — but a quick melt and more precipitation are the big worries now

The provincial government says flooding shouldn’t be as bad as in 2011, but in many areas it may come down to the effectiveness of its ice-breaking efforts. “We could be into a very rapid melt during which that American water, or water in our tributaries, could meet up against solid ice,” said Steve Topping, director


No answer on when producers might receive flood compensation for 2012

The federal government needs to pay up before the provincial government can offer more compensation to those still suffering damages from the 2011 flood, says Manitoba Finance Minister Stan Struthers. Speaking to more than 200 farmers, cottage owners, First Nations representatives and politicians during a crowded meeting at the centennial-era Meadow-Lea Hall north of Marquette,