Manitoba rivers face low to moderate flooding risk

Most rivers and lakes in Manitoba are facing a low to moderate risk of flooding this spring. This assessment comes from the province's hydrologic forecast centre. According to a flood outlook report released on Tuesday, the flood risks may change depending on the weather after winter thaws. Lakes are expected to remain within safe levels following the spring runoff, minimizing flood risks in nearby areas. Some areas are seeing a moderate risk. In southwestern Manitoba and the Interlake region, the Assiniboine River, along with the Souris, Qu'Appelle, Fisher, and Icelandic rivers, are of particular concern. In contrast, the Red, Pembina, Rat, Roseau, Winnipeg, Saskatchewan, Churchill, Carrot, and Swan rivers have low flood risks, as do the Whiteshell Lakes. The province is conducting ice-cutting and ice-breaking operations on the Red and Icelandic rivers to prevent ice jams. Similar work is planned for the Fisher River later this week. The forecast centre is also monitoring a weather system that may bring up to 15 centimeters of snow to central and southern Manitoba this weekend, but they have considered this in their flood outlook. Warmer temperatures are causing ice to weaken, so officials advise people to stay off rivers and ponds as the ice thaws.