WINNIPEG – Despite massive amounts of snow still on the ground, flood forecasters expect high water will not be a significant issue in southern Manitoba this spring.
The second flood outlook of the season predicts normal spring water levels.
“We may or may not operate the (Red River) Floodway and if the Portage Diversion is used, it will be in limited operation,” said Steve Ashton, the minister of infrastructure and transportation.
The floodway has been used 30 times in the 45 years it has been in operation.
Ashton said there’s only a 10 per cent chance the floodway will have to be used this year.
Thicker than normal ice may be a factor, however.
“Ice jam-related flooding is certainly something we would be looking for,” said Ashton.
The greatest flood concern is in The Pas, where above normal soil moisture and significant snow means there is the potential for localized flooding, forecasters said.
Snow expected in the next few days has been factored into the outlook, but forecasters are still watching the system closely, they said.
Depending on how quickly the thaw happens, overland flooding could still occur in Winnipeg and other parts of southern Manitoba.
Comments