Fall’s floodway use unprecedented

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This article was published 05/12/2019 (1750 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The latest-ever activation of the Red River Floodway this year diverted about 556 million cubic metres of water around Winnipeg, with a peak flow of 11,300 cubic feet per second.

According to a provincial report released Friday, the floodway was used for a total of 29 days this fall, from Oct. 9 to Nov. 7.

It was the fifth time in the floodway’s 50-year history that it was activated under Rule 4, which allows for its use in emergency situations outside the normal spring season to reduce the risk of flooding and sewer backup in the city of Winnipeg.

Until this year, the floodway had never been used later than August. Heavy fall precipitation caused the flood threat.

The operation of the floodway created artificial flooding upstream of the inlet, according to the report prepared by Manitoba Infrastructure.

The depth of artificial flooding at the inlet during the flood crest is estimated to have been 2.99 feet, or 0.91 metres. The operation also raised the river level faster than it otherwise would have.

The provincial government announced a compensation program last month for eligible applicants related to property damage or economic losses resulting from the operation.

According to the report, peak flows occurred on the Red River at James Avenue on Oct. 23.

On that day, had the floodway not been activated, the river would have crested at close to 20 feet above normal winter ice levels at the downtown location, the province estimates.

According to the City of Winnipeg website, a moderate spring flood will see river levels at James Avenue exceeding 18 feet.

larry.kusch@freepress.mb.ca