Winnipeg watches water warily
February 7, 2011
By
Canadian Consulting Engineer
People in Manitoba are facing the prospect of heavy spring floods again. The 2011 spring flood potential is high for much of Manitoba, including the Red River Valley and Assiniboine Rivers. The province is predicting that "with average weather...
People in Manitoba are facing the prospect of heavy spring floods again. The 2011 spring flood potential is high for much of Manitoba, including the Red River Valley and Assiniboine Rivers. The province is predicting that “with average weather along the Red River, a flood the size of 2009 is anticipated, while unfavorable weather (1 in 10 chance) could result in a flood of 1997 levels.”
It was following the 1997 Flood of the Century that the city and province built the new $665-million Floodway around Winnipeg to stave off damage. KGS Group did the conceptual design.
However, even with the new floodway, there are still approximately 800 properties in Winnipeg that are vulnerable to flooding. And apparently the ground is even more saturated than it was prior to that event 14 years ago.
South of Winnipeg in the rural areas, towns are already stacking sandbags in case the worst happens.
The 2011 spring run off is expected to be above average over many parts of Manitoba, partly thank to a wet summer and heavy snow in November through early January.
