Lake Manitoba update: January 1, 2017

The level of Lake Manitoba has risen over the last week and is now sitting at 812.55 feet. If the gauge readings are correct, the lake is now above the top end of its operating range. The level of Lake Winnipegosis continues to rise, and has now reached 834.00 feet. This is about 2/3 of a foot above its previous maximum level for this time of year (observed in January 2011), and nearly 4 feet above its average level for January. It is now within a foot of its record height of 835.0 feet, reached in June of 2011. There is no sugar coating this: the high level of Lake Winnipegosis, which feeds the Waterhen River, means there will be high water on Lake Manitoba this spring and summer. Exactly how high is not yet clear, but the growing snowpack is obviously worrisome. The good news is that the province has kept Fairford wide open this winter. This has kept the level of Lake Manitoba relatively stable. Had winter flows at Fairford been reduced as has been done in the past, the spring outlook would be much worse.

The gauge on the Waterhen River remains ice affected, so we don’t know right now what the major river inflow is to Lake Manitoba. Inflow from the Whitemud is currently 95 cfs. Outflow at Fairford remains high at 8,013 cfs. The level of Lake St. Martin is currently 801.57 feet.

The level of the Shellmouth Reservoir continues to fall rapidly dropping 1.5 feet over the last week. It is now sitting at 1399.48 feet.

Flow on the Assiniboine is high, currently reading 5,895 cfs at Holland and 5,224 cfs at Headingly.

River update
Time: 8:00 AM January 1, 2017
Portage Diversion: closed
Assiniboine at Holland: 5,895 cfs
Assiniboine at Headingly: 5,224 cfs
Waterhen: ice affected
Whitemud: 97 cfs
Fairford: 8,013 cfs
 
Lake update
Time: 8:00 AM January 1, 2017
Steep Rock: 812.47 ft
Westbourne: 812.62 ft
Mean level: 812.55 ft
Lake St. Martin: 801.57 ft
Lake Winnipegosis: 834.00 ft
Shellmouth Reservoir: 1399.48 ft