The province announced Friday that the Red River Floodway has been activated and the Portage Diversion will be operated over the weekend.

Manitoba Transportation and Infrastructure (MTI) says a small amount of flow is being used to flush ice from the Portage Diversion channel in preparation for normal operation expected to begin this weekend. Flows downstream on the Assiniboine River will be limited to 5,000 cubic feet per second (cfs) to prevent ice jamming on the lower Assiniboine River east of Portage la Prairie. 

There are no significant precipitation events in the forecast for the next three days. Officials are monitoring a precipitation system that is forecast to affect southern Manitoba and the Red River basin in the United States mid- to late-next week. The timing, location and amount of this forecast precipitation system are not yet known. Flood forecasters at Manitoba’s Hydrologic Forecast Centre will continue to monitor the system and its impact on flows and levels as the system develops into next week.

Manitoba has extensive flood control measures in place including the Portage Diversion. These flood control measures together with individual and community flood protection dikes across the province continue to prevent property damage and reduce the potential impact of flooding on families and communities. 

Recent significant investments in critical flood mitigation projects across the province include:

  • ongoing investment in the Portage Diversion including repairs to the outlet structure and upgrades to the control structure.
  • raising the northbound lanes of PTH 75 by up to 1.2 metres to protect this major trade route from a 2009-level flood event;
  • upgrading Provincial Road (PR) 246 to Manitoba’s highest loading standard to provide an efficient detour for PTH 75 as needed; and
  • ongoing repairs to dikes and pump stations at key locations throughout Manitoba’s major basins

Manitoba continues to invest on new flood protection works, upgrade existing flood protection works and advance flood-prediction technologies so that residents are protected from increased flood threat due to climate change.

Updated forecast information is available at www.gov.mb.ca/mit/floodinfo/index.html.

For current highway conditions and road closures, call 511 or visit www.manitoba511.ca/en/.