Manitoba Infrastructure is urging people to be careful while venturing onto all rivers and streams in the province at this time of year. This is because temperature fluctuations could result in ice that is thinner than expected.
The Government of Manitoba’s Hydrologic Forecast Centre is reporting the outflow from Shellmouth Reservoir is gradually decreasing as part of normal operations to maintain the desired spring and summer level on the reservoir.
The current outflow is being reduced from 500 cubic feet per second to 100 cubic feet per second. This will result in a two-to-three feet water level decrease on the Assiniboine River from Shellmouth to the town of Russell, and one to two feet from Russell to Brandon. The decrease will amount to between zero and one foot as the lower river flow reaches Winnipeg in about two weeks.
The Government of Manitoba will continue to monitor conditions on the upper Assiniboine River, as well as downstream river levels. It may revise the outflow if conditions change.
Meanwhile, the ice-jam mitigation program has started on the Red River north of Winnipeg. Ice cutting is underway, with the Amphibex fleet and support equipment being transported north of Selkirk to begin the first section of icebreaking near Netley Lake on February 24, 2020.
Manitoba Infrastructure is responsible for the development of transportation policy and legislation, and for the management of the province’s vast infrastructure network. To meet these responsibilities, the department delivers a wide range of programs and services that play a critical role in sustaining the contributions of the transportation sector to Manitoba’s economic growth.
