Lake Manitoba update: August 30, 2020

Strong and shifting winds are playing havoc right now with the gauges on the lakes and northern rivers, that are affected by the lake levels: all the readings north of the Assiniboine are somewhat suspect. The estimate of the current level of Lake Manitoba is 811.26 feet: outflow at Fairford is registering 2,080 cfs. Lake Winnipegosis is also declining in level, sitting at 830.69 feet today. Flow on the Waterhen River, which is currently 3,510 cfs, still below the long-term average flow of ~4,200 cfs at this time of year. Flow on the Whitemud River remains low and is just 77 cfs. Flow on the Assiniboine continues to drop, to just 600 cfs at Holland and 777 cfs at Headingly. The level of Lake St. Martin currently 797.71 ft and flow on the Dauphin River is 2,112 cfs. The level of the Shellmouth Reservoir up slightly to 1402.92 feet.

River update

Time: 7:00 PM August 30, 2020

Portage Diversion: closed

Assiniboine at Holland: 600 cfs cfs

Assiniboine at Headingly: 777 cfs

Waterhen: 3,510 cfs

Whitemud: 77 cfs

Fairford: 2,080 cfs

Dauphin: 2,112 cfs

Lake update

Time: 7:00 PM August 30, 2020

Steep Rock: 811.15 ft

Westbourne: 811.37 ft

Mean level Lake Manitoba: 811.26 ft

Lake Manitoba desired operating range: 810.5 to 812.5 ft

Lake St. Martin: 797.71 ft

Lake St. Martin desired operating range: 797.0 to 800.0 ft

Lake Winnipegosis: 830.69 ft

Shellmouth Reservoir: 1402.92 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 August 30, 2020.

Wind Warning

HIGH WIND EFFECT WARNING ISSUED FOR SOUTH SHORES OF LAKE MANITOBA AND LAKE WINNIPEG Manitoba Infrastructure’s Hydrologic Forecast Centre advises high winds developing Friday morning and lasting until late evening may result in high wind effects. The advisory affects the south basin of Lake Manitoba and shorelines near Gimli on the west and Victoria Beach on the east side of Lake Winnipeg. Forecasted wind from the northwest gusting up to 70 km/h and wave action could raise levels by as much as five feet or more. Property owners are advised to take precautions. – 30 – For more information: Public information, contact Manitoba Government Inquiry: 1-866-626-4862 or 204-945-3744. Media requests for general information, contact Communications Services Manitoba: 204-945-3765. Media requests for ministerial comment, contact Communications and Stakeholder Relations: 204-945-4916.

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ANOTHER DELAY

https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/court-hits-pause-on-flood-channel-access-road-construction-572179472.html

We are looking at yet another delay for the start of the Lake Manitoba-Lake St. Martin channel. The court of Queen’s Bench has ruled in favor of First Nations and put a halt to the completion of an access road to the site of the construction. The court cited lack of consultation in its decision.

No matter that almost ten years has elapsed in the interim since the flood of 2011. No matter that all parties agree that the channel is a necessity to prevent future high water events. No matter that extensive time, energy and resources have gone into consultation with all interested parties -albeit moreso with First Nations.

However, agree or not the decision of the court and prevailing attitude in Ottawa dictates that more collaboration needs to be done before work will proceed. Premier Pallister and the Manitoba Government will have to overcome stubborn attitudes and accept this reality. If a handful of collaborative meetings is required – get on with it!

Lake Manitoba update: August 23, 2020

Calm winds mean we can get a good look at lake levels today. The level of Lake Manitoba is 811.24 feet: at this level, outflows at Fairford are naturally low, even when the Fairford Water Control Structure is wide open. The current outflow at Fairford is now just 2,027 cfs. Lake Winnipegosis is also declining in level, sitting at 830.49 feet this morning. That is slightly below its average level for this time of year. The level of Lake Winnipegosis affects flow on the Waterhen River, which is currently 3,637 cfs. That is also below the long-term average flow of ~4,200 cfs at this time of year. Flow on the Whitemud River remains low and is just 69 cfs. Flow on the Assiniboine continues to drop, to just 773 cfs at Holland and 1,006 cfs at Headingly. The level of Lake St. Martin currently 797.81 ft and flow on the Dauphin River is 1935 cfs. The level of the Shellmouth Reservoir up slightly to 1402.88 feet.

River update

Time: 8:30 AM August 23, 2020

Portage Diversion: closed

Assiniboine at Holland: 773 cfs cfs

Assiniboine at Headingly: 1,006 cfs

Waterhen: 3,637 cfs

Whitemud: 69 cfs

Fairford: 2,027 cfs

Dauphin: 1,935 cfs

Lake update

Time: 8:30 PM August 23, 2020

Steep Rock: 811.24 ft

Westbourne: 811.23 ft

Mean level Lake Manitoba: 811.23 ft

Lake Manitoba desired operating range: 810.5 to 812.5 ft

Lake St. Martin: 797.81 ft

Lake St. Martin desired operating range: 797.0 to 800.0 ft

Lake Winnipegosis: 830.49 ft

Shellmouth Reservoir: 1402.88 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 August 23, 2020

Lake Manitoba update: August 16, 2020

Another of little change. The level of Lake Manitoba is 811.35 feet and that is probably a more accurate estimate than last week’s wind affected level of 811.25 feet. Outflow at Fairford is down this week to 1,907 cfs. Inflow from the Waterhen River is up slightly to 4,061 cfs. Flow on the Whitemud remains low and is just 48 cfs. Flow on the Assiniboine continues to drop, to 1,487 cfs at Holland and 1,381 cfs at Headingly. The level of Lake St. Martin is down to 797.80 ft and flow on the Dauphin River is also down to 2,077 cfs. With shifting winds from last week, Lake Winnipegosis is up to 831.41 feet. Flow on the Assiniboine continues to decline with the gauge at Holland reporting 1,296 cfs: the gauge at Headingly is currently offline. The level of the Shellmouth Reservoir down slightly to 1402.83 feet.

River update

Time: 6:00 PM August 16, 2020

Portage Diversion: closed

Assiniboine at Holland: 1,296 cfs cfs

Assiniboine at Headingly: gauge offline

Waterhen: 4,061 cfs

Whitemud: 48 cfs

Fairford: 1,907 cfs

Dauphin: 2,077 cfs

Lake update

Time: 6:00 PM August 16, 2020

Steep Rock: 811.19 ft

Westbourne: 811.52 ft

Mean level Lake Manitoba: 811.35 ft

Lake Manitoba desired operating range: 810.5 to 812.5 ft

Lake St. Martin: 797.80 ft

Lake St. Martin desired operating range: 797.0 to 800.0 ft

Lake Winnipegosis: 831.41 ft

Shellmouth Reservoir: 1402.83 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 August 16, 2020.

Lake Manitoba update: August 9, 2020

Another dry week and lake levels and river flows continue to decline. Strong southwest winds are pushing water northeast in Lake Manitoba, raising the outflow at Fairford to 3,132 cfs today. The estimate of the level of Lake Manitoba is 811.25 feet but that is wind affected. Inflow from the Waterhen River is down on the week to 3,920 cfs. Flow on the Whitemud is dropping and is now just 44 cfs. Flow on the Assiniboine continues to drop, to 1,487 cfs at Holland and 1,381 cfs at Headingly. The level of Lake St. Martin is down to 797.88 ft and flow on the Dauphin River is up to 2,574 cfs. Lake Winnipegosis is up to 830.87 feet. The level of the Shellmouth Reservoir down slightly to 1402.98 feet.

River update

Time: 12:30 PM August 9, 2020

Portage Diversion: closed

Assiniboine at Holland: 1,487 cfs cfs

Assiniboine at Headingly: 1,381 cfs

Waterhen: 3,920 cfs

Whitemud: 44 cfs

Fairford: 3,132 cfs

Dauphin: 2,574 cfs

Lake update

Time: 12:30 PM August 9, 2020

Steep Rock: 811.64 ft

Westbourne: 810.86 ft

Mean level Lake Manitoba: 811.25 ft

Lake Manitoba desired operating range: 810.5 to 812.5 ft

Lake St. Martin: 797.88 ft

Lake St. Martin desired operating range: 797.0 to 800.0 ft

Lake Winnipegosis: 830.87 ft

Shellmouth Reservoir: 1402.98 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 August 9, 2020.

Lake Manitoba update: August 3, 2020

Another dry week and lake levels and river flows continue to decline. Lake Manitob has fallen to 811.35 ft and this affects outflow at Fairford that has also fallen to 2,274. Inflow from the Waterhen River is unchanged on the week remaining at 4,026 cfs. Flow on the Whitemud is falling back to its normal summer low, dropping to just 75 cfs. Flow on the Assiniboine continues to drop, falling to 1,667 cfs at Holland and 1,667 cfs at Headingly. The level of Lake St. Martin is up slightly to 798.02 ft and flow on the Dauphin River is down to 2,465 cfs. Lake Winnipegosis is up slightly to 830.77 feet. The level of the Shellmouth Reservoir down slightly to 1403.00 feet.

River update

Time: 8:30 AM August 3, 2020

Portage Diversion: closed

Assiniboine at Holland: 1,667 cfs cfs

Assiniboine at Headingly: 1,667 cfs

Waterhen: 4,026 cfs

Whitemud: 75 cfs

Fairford: 2,274 cfs

Dauphin: 2,465 cfs

Lake update

Time: 8:30 AM August 3, 2020

Steep Rock: 811.33 ft

Westbourne: 811.38 ft

Mean level Lake Manitoba: 811.35 ft

Lake Manitoba desired operating range: 810.5 to 812.5 ft

Lake St. Martin: 798.02 ft

Lake St. Martin desired operating range: 797.0 to 800.0 ft

Lake Winnipegosis: 830.77 ft

Shellmouth Reservoir: 1403.00 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 August 3, 2020.