The risk of spring flooding is low to moderate for most Manitoba rivers heading into the spring runoff period, according to the latest Manitoba Flood Outlook.
According to the update, the spring flood risk is low for the Assiniboine River and its tributaries.
The province says spring flood risk remains largely dependent on weather conditions from now through the melt period, including additional snowfall, spring rainfall and the timing and rate of snow melt.
Soil moisture at freeze-up was near-to below-normal across most of Manitoba, winter precipitation has ranged from near-to below-normal in many regions and soil frost depths are generally normal to shallower than normal, allowing normal to above-normal infiltration of melt water.
Snow-water content across Manitoba basins indicated snow accumulations are generally within the normal range, except for parts of southern Manitoba where snow accumulation remains below typical values for this time of year.
The Shellmouth Reservoir is being operated in consultation with the Shellmouth Liaison Committee to reduce downstream flood risk to the Assiniboine, while maintaining water supply and recreation objectives.
