There is some excitement in this week’s update as spring is now arriving. The big news is that the Portage Diversion opened on Thursday: the Province stated that the opening is to prevent ice-jamming on the Assiniboine east of Portage. Assiniboine flows have jumped sharply this week, currently showing 7,310 cfs at Holland, and 6,957 cfs at Headingly. The flow in the Diversion is reading 4,238 cfs on the gauge this afternoon. That level of flow would result in an increase in the level of Lake Manitoba of about 2.7 inches over the next month. Flow of the Whitemud River has risen to 1,282 cfs and the Waterhen flow is starting to pick up, reaching 992 cfs this afternoon. Outflow at Fairford is currently 2,596 cfs. The level of Lake Manitoba is up slightly from last week, to 811.48 feet. The level of Lake Winnipegosis is unchanged from last week at 830.98 feet. The level of Lake St. Martin fell to 799.18 feet, down 0.2 feet from last week. Flow on the Dauphin River is down from last week to 3,637 cfs. The level of the Shellmouth Reservoir fell early in the week but is now rising and currently sits at 1395.54 feet.
River update
Time: 2:00 PM April 12, 2020
Portage Diversion: 4,238 cfs
Assiniboine at Holland: 7,310 cfs
Assiniboine at Headingly: 6,957 cfs
Waterhen: 992 cfs
Whitemud: 1,282 cfs
Fairford: 2,596 cfs
Dauphin: 3,637 cfs
Lake update
Time: 2:00 PM April 12, 2020
Steep Rock: 811.31 ft
Westbourne: 811.64 ft
Mean level Lake Manitoba: 811.48 ft
Lake Manitoba desired operating range: 810.5 to 812.5 ft
Lake St. Martin: 799.18 ft
Lake St. Martin desired operating range: 797.0 to 800.0 ft
Lake Winnipegosis: 830.98 ft
Shellmouth Reservoir: 1395.54 ft
Extracted from the Environment and Climate Change Canada Real-time Hydrometric Data web site (https://wateroffice.ec.gc.ca/mainmenu/