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Manitoba spring flood outlook favourable, for now

Southwestern Manitoba suffered unusual summer flooding after intense rains fell at the end of June, 2014. John Woods / The Canadian Press / File

WINNIPEG – Flood forecasters say the possibility of spring flooding in Manitoba this year depends on where you live.

The risk of overland flooding is “normal to above normal” in the west and normal to below normal the rest of the province.

While there isn’t a lot of snow on the ground, the Assiniboine and Qu’Appelle river basins froze with “above-normal” moisture in the soil.

The potential for spring flooding would be exacerbated by more snow or rain, the rate of spring thaw and water coming in from other provinces as well as the United States.

If there is unfavourable weather the outlook on the Assiniboine River as well as the southwest region would be considered “moderate to major.”

The province released its first spring outlook Friday.

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“Of course there is much more weather to occur, we will put out another outlook in March,” said Steve Topping, of Manitoba Infrastructure and Transportation’s water management division.

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