The Hydrologic Forecast Centre (HFC) for the Province of Manitoba released its initial spring flood outlook report for 2022 on Feb. 18, citing the risk of moderate to major flooding in most the province’s southern basins.
The HFC advised that while there is a risk of major flooding along the Red River and its tributaries, including the Roseau, Rat and Pembina rivers, water levels are expected to remain below community flood protection levels at all locations. There is also a risk of moderate flooding for most other southern Manitoba basins including the Assiniboine and Souris rivers and the Whiteshell lakes area. The risk of spring flooding is low for the Interlake region and northern Manitoba regions.
Prior to this winter, normal to below normal summer and fall precipitation resulted in a below normal soil moisture freeze-up for most Manitoba basins, according to the HFC. However, snowfall throughout much of Manitoba has been above normal, except for province’s southwest region which has been near normal. The HFC also noted that soil frost depth has been generally deeper than normal, meaning the soil is likely to absorb less water, and that could contribute to greater amounts of runoff.
Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Doyle Piwniuk said the amount of flooding will ultimately be dependent on weather conditions from now until the spring melt.
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