Winnipeg’s flood outlook has changed considerably from last week and officials are dealing with new conditions in the north and central areas of the city. As a result, approximately 40 properties require a raise in their dikes, and 60 new properties are required to build dikes. On Tuesday night, City officials began surveying and staking at-risk properties.
“This is not what we were dealing with last week,” said Randy Hull, Emergency Preparedness Coordinator. “We are dealing with a different threat now than the one we faced and successfully dealt with over the last couple of weeks. While our primary threat of ice jams has been reduced, we are now dealing with higher than anticipated water levels in the north and central areas of the city.” Hull emphasized that while high river levels are still a concern in the south area of the City, the focus today expanded to properties on the Assiniboine River and on the Red River north of the Forks.
The unexpected high water levels from south of the city and within the city on the Red and Assiniboine rivers are causing a higher than anticipated crest within Winnipeg. The Red River rose 0.55 m (1.8 ft.) in downtown Winnipeg during the 24-hour period ending this morning. This quick rise was mainly a result of rapidly rising flows on streams such as Sturgeon Creek, the La Salle River and other local streams. Rising flows on the Assiniboine River and on the Red River south of Winnipeg also contributed to the increase.
Pathways:
Many pathways and foot bridges in the city are being barricaded and closed for the safety of the public, due to rising water levels. Among these are the Assiniboine Park foot bridge, Bunn’s Creek pathway, Omand’s Creek, and Sturgeon Creek.
