Wake Up Winnipeg - MANITOBA FLOOD WARNING ISSUED FOR ASSINIBOINE RIVER DOWNSTREAM OF SHELLMOUTH DAM

Rain Rain, go away. . .

-Av

............................................................
Manitoba News Release
............................................................
August 30, 2010

FLOOD WARNING ISSUED FOR ASSINIBOINE RIVER DOWNSTREAM OF SHELLMOUTH DAM
- - -
Flood Watch Issued for Interlake, Lake Winnipeg, Swan River, Neepawa and Red Deer Lake Areas

· Manitoba Water Stewardship has issued a flood warning for the Assiniboine Valley immediately downstream of the Shellmouth Dam.

· A flood watch has been issued for the Interlake region, Lake Winnipeg area, Swan River, Neepawa area and the Red Deer Lake region. It includes Fisher River, Arborg, Hecla, Little Grand Rapids, Poplar River, Gypsumville, Minnedosa and Bloodvein River.

· Environment Canada indicates that an unstable weather system from North Dakota is expected to move northeast and produce substantial rainfall of up to 70 millimetres (2.8 inches) in the next
24 hours for portions of southern and central Manitoba.

· Recent storms in these areas have resulted in near saturated soil conditions. Additional rain could result in significant run-off and flash flooding in the next two days.

· There is potential for significant increases in water levels in several streams including Netley Creek and the Little Saskatchewan, Icelandic, Fisher and Bloodvein rivers. However, river levels are expected to remain within banks unless additional heavy rain develops after Tuesday.

Assiniboine River and Shellmouth Reservoir Operation

· The Assiniboine River level immediately downstream of the reservoir is still close to bank-full level. Additional heavy rain will cause river over-bank flows leading to localized flooding affecting other low-lying areas.

· The Shellmouth Reservoir level has remained unchanged in the last 24 hours and stood at 429.86 metres (1,410.318 feet) this morning. The spillway flow is 1,525 cubic feet per second (cfs) and the conduit flow has been reduced to 75 from 200 cfs this afternoon. The total outflow is 1,600 cfs while the computed inflow is 1,725 cfs.

· If the forecasted rainstorm fully develops, the conduit operations will not prevent over-bank flows of the Assiniboine River immediately downstream of the reservoir. Agricultural lands between the reservoir and Russell may flood once again.

An updated flood report will follow as the situation develops. Graphical information on lakes levels is updated regularly and posted at www.gov.mb.ca/waterstewardship/floodinfo/levels_flows.html .


- 30 -