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



Fury over new flood peg

The province’s apparent decision to make 2011 Lake Manitoba flood levels the new standard has raised the ire of area ranchers and municipal officials. “It’s fine for Mr. Topping to hope that we will raise our cottages and homes up to levels that would be safe in another flood. But we can’t raise the farm-

Lake Manitoba ranchers fear another year of losses

  The flood waters have receded, but residents along the shore of Lake Manitoba are still dealing with the damage they caused. Flooded fields, clogged drains, downed fences, and cattail-filled pastures where now only seagulls graze are common sights. Langruth-area farmer Jonas Johnson and his wife Lydia live in a 94-year-old house about half a


Professor says more must be done to prevent repeat of Lake Manitoba flood damage

Scott Forbes estimates flood damage at $2 billion and says most of it 
could have been prevented if there had been better drainage

Like the problem child in the family, Lake Winnipeg gets all the attention over its phosphorus problems, while its well-behaved smaller sister to the west tends to be ignored. Or at least that was the case for Lake Manitoba until last year, said Scott Forbes, a professor of biology at the University of Winnipeg, who

Lake Manitoba Flood Puts Life On Hold

co-operator contributor It s October, surely the water is gone by now, isn t it? Unfortunately, no. For people who live near and around Lake Manitoba, the flood continues. In all likelihood it will become the Flood of 2011-12. No one wants to talk about it. Some people are tired of hearing about it. But


Flooding Continues To Bog Down Producers

On a quiet stretch of road by North Shoal Lake, Howard Hilstrom pulls over to talk flooding with a group of neighbours. The flood isn t over for us, it s just as bad as it was this spring, said the cattle producer and former member of parliament. He noted three provincial roads in the