Spring flood risk low in most of Manitoba, say forecasters
The risk of flooding is low in most parts of Manitoba this spring, thanks to warm temperatures melting snow early and slowly, according to government flood forecasters.
In their March flood outlook, released on Friday, officials said the annual run-off from melting snow is over in most of the southern and Interlake regions and river levels have generally remained within their banks.
The peak spring run-off has passed for the Red River, the Souris River, the Qu'Appelle River and the Manitoba part of the Assiniboine River, along with their tributaries.
As well, the run-off phase has passed for the Pembina, Fisher, Icelandic, Roseau and Whitemouth rivers and for rivers and creeks in the western part of the province.
The risk of flooding caused by ice jams is mostly low, except on the Saskatchewan River at The Pas and on the Carrot River, where the spring melt is underway.
The current situation was helped by gradually rising temperatures earlier this month that made for an early, gradual snow melt, forecasters told reporters in Winnipeg.
Officials noted that the rain and snow that fell in much of southern Manitoba earlier this week had no effect on the flood forecast.
They said there could be some flooding in low-lying agricultural areas around Lake St. Martin until mid-July, but for the most part, lakes are expected to remain below flood stage.
Forecasters did warn that a major storm with high levels of precipitation could change the forecast.
