Despite the low risk of significant flooding in the spring, everything could change depending on the type of weather March produces.

The Manitoba Infrastructure and Transportation’s Hydrologic Forecast Centre (HFC) has reported there is a low to moderate risk of flooding in most of Manitoba's basins in its February spring flood outlook. With water levels expected to remain below dikes and individual flood barriers.

"While the risk of spring flooding is generally low for several rivers including the Souris, Roseau, Rat and Pembina rivers, there is a moderate risk of flooding in the Interlake Region along the Fisher and Icelandic Rivers, and along the Red and Assiniboine Rivers," says the report. "There is also a low risk of flooding for most other Manitoba basins including the Saskatchewan River, Whiteshell Lakes area, and northern Manitoba."

There are exceptions for Dauphin Lake and Lake St. Martin, with continued observation for higher flood risk in place.

Central and southern Manitoba has received below-normal winter precipitation, with southeastern Manitoba receiving near-normal levels. However, with northern Manitoba basins and the United States portion of the Red River and Souris River receiving normal to above normal winter precipitation, it increases the risk of significant flooding.

A contract with Winnipeg Environmental Remediations Inc. to conduct normal spring ice-cutting and breaking work along the Red and Icelandic rivers has been made to reduce the risk.

Currently, operations are underway on the Red River north of Winnipeg and are expected to be completed by March 14. Operations will begin on the Icelandic River on March 17. The WER is not scheduled to conduct ice-cutting and breaking on the Assiniboine River, along the Portage Diversion, due to a lower risk of ice-jam-related flooding.

If unfavourable weather conditions persist, another flood risk outlook report will be published with updated information in late March.

For the full 2023 spring flood outlook report, click here.

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