Assiniboine River levels continue to rise and a crest is expected towards mid-to-late next week.

In its latest flood outlook, Manitoba Infrastructure's Hydrologic Forecast Centre revised the Assiniboine River forecast based on the expectation of the Assiniboine and Souris rivers peaking simultaneously at the Portage Reservoir.

Doug McMahon, Manitoba Infrastructure assistant deputy minister, water management and structures division, says the revised forecast, with a weather forecast indicating no future precipitation, indicates an inflow upstream of the Portage Reservoir of approximately 41,000 to 44,000 cfs. A crest is expected between April 12 and 14.

"It is planned that flow on the Assiniboine River downstream of the diversion will reach 15,000 cfs as early as April 10," explains the province's release.

The flood bulletin explains municipal governments are currently working to put temporary flood protection measures in place to meet the expected flows on the lower Assiniboine River.

Lee Spencer, assistant deputy minister, Emergency Measures Organization, Manitoba Infrastructure, says they've been working with the communities of Headingley, the RM of Cartier, RM of St. Francois Xavier, RM of Portage la Prairie and the city of Portage la Prairie, to make sure all the municipalities understand the operational plan of the diversion and the river.

"A couple of days ago we signalled the need to be prepared for increased flows on the Assiniboine river," Spencer says. "We've been having daily conference calls with those communities that are impacted by lower Assiniboine flows."

"... We expect over the weekend there will be considerable activity in all three of the municipalities east of the Assiniboine dykes," continues Spencer. "But we also have a good feeling after 2014 and 2011 that we know how much work is needed to be done, and that we should be able to accomplish it without any major challenges between now and the forecast peak."