Lake Manitoba update: April 14, 2019

The Portage Diversion was opened this week, but flows have been a relative trickle. Currently the gauge is showing 420 cfs going down the Diversion to Lake Manitoba. The good news is that the Assiniboine has reached its peak flow and is now falling: the flow at Holland is now about 5,000 cfs and declining, meaning that unless there is some extraordinary weather in the next few weeks, any flow from the Diversion into Lake Manitoba will have only minor effects (a few mm) on the level of the lake. In the past, the Diversion has been used to divert water out of the Assiniboine when the Red River is flooding.

The level of Lake Manitoba is almost unchanged from last week, sitting at 811.59 feet this morning. The level of Lake St. Martin is falling quickly and is now down to 799.27 feet. Lake Winnipegosis fell to 831.77 feet. Flow on the Fairford River is up slightly to 3,143 cfs. Flow on the Waterhen is currently 3,814 cfs but falling. Flow on the Whitemud up to 636 cfs. The Dauphin River flow is almost unchanged at 2,550 cfs.

The Shellmouth Reservoir is being filled and has risen to 1395.28 ft this week.

River update
Time: 8:00 AM April 14, 2019
Portage Diversion: 420 cfs
Assiniboine at Holland: 5,015 cfs
Assiniboine at Headingly: 6,463 cfs
Waterhen: 3,143 cfs
Whitemud: 636 cfs
Fairford: 3,143 cfs
Dauphin: 2,550 cfs
 
Lake update
Time: 8:00 AM April 14, 2019
Steep Rock: 811.53 ft
Westbourne: 811.67 ft
Mean level Lake Manitoba: 811.59 ft
Lake Manitoba desired operating range: 810.5 to 812.5 ft
Lake St. Martin: 799.27 ft
Lake St. Martin desired operating range: 797.0 to 800.0 ft
Lake Winnipegosis: 831.77 ft
Shellmouth Reservoir: 1395.28 ft

Extracted from the Environment and Climate Change Canada Real-time Hydrometric Data web site (https://wateroffice.ec.gc.ca/mainmenu/real_time_data_index_e.html) on April 14, 2019