Wet weather raises potential flood worries for Manitoba government

WINNIPEG — Wet weather in the fall has raised concerns about potential spring flooding in Manitoba.

The provincial government said a record amount of rain fell across much of the province in October, and soil moisture at freeze-up was high in western and northern areas.

Water levels in rivers and streams are also above normal in some regions.

The Saskatchewan government issued a similar report last week, which said high precipitation in October could lead to an above-average spring runoff.

Infrastructure Minister Blaine Pedersen said it’s very early in the flood-forecasting season and there are many other factors that could affect water levels by spring.

But he said there is a chance of moderate to major flooding in some areas.

“In addition to freeze-up moisture and base river flows, other factors yet to be determined are winter and spring precipitation, melt rate, frost index and river and lake levels prior to spring runoff,” a news release from the Infrastructure Department said Tuesday.

After record rainfall in October in many areas, precipitation in November was above normal to well-above normal throughout southern Manitoba and the Interlake region.