Overland flooding near New Bothwell, Manitoba (STAN MILOSEVIC / MANITOBAPHOTOS.COM)
The Manitoba government is funding feasibility studies for future community flood-protection dikes in 11 municipalities.
A total of $740,000 will be spent on studies in Gladstone, Red Deer Lake, Rhineland (Halbstadt), Rockwood (Balmoral), Siglunes (Ashern), St. Andrews (Netley and Wavey creeks), St. Clements (Peltz Drive/St. Peters Road), East St. Paul (Highland Park), Grahamdale (Moosehorn), Bifrost (Arborg) and Tache (Landmark).
The province says 78 project applications were submitted, but only the first 11 were considered for the studies, which will eventually lead to the creation of permanent flood protection.
“The value of community ring dikes in the Red River Valley has been proven several times and these studies are the first step toward providing permanent flood protection works for more Manitoba communities,” said Water Stewardship Minister Christine Melnick.
Flood protection will be cost-shared by the federal, provincial and municipal governments on a 45/45/10 basis. Construction on the first works is expected to begin in the summer of 2012.
More than 600 applications are being processed for individual flood-proofing projects.
