Residents urged to protect their property from rising river levels
WINNIPEG - JUNE 13, 2005 - Heavy rainfall across the entire Red River Basin last weekend has resulted in continued increases in Winnipeg’s river levels. The Red River in Winnipeg is presently at 14.8 feet James Avenue Datum and is expected to rise to 16.0 feet James Avenue Datum within a week’s time – 9.5 feet above normal. High river levels are now expected to persist for several weeks.
Dave Wardrop, Field Service Operations Engineer with the City’s Water and Waste Department, advises, “Residents who live along the river should move or secure any structures or equipment near the water’s edge, such as docks, sheds, gazebos, irrigation pumps, and recreational equipment. Rising river levels will affect each property owner differently. Each resident will have to determine how the rising river will impact their property, and take the necessary action to protect their belongings.”
Recreational boaters, particularly canoes and other small craft, are urged to use extreme caution because of fast currents and an increased amount of debris in the rivers. Much of the debris is submerged, creating an unseen and extremely dangerous hazard for boaters. The combination of swift currents and floating or submerged debris make conditions particularly dangerous at this time.
Wardrop urges, “Children should be reminded to keep away from all bodies of water, such as rivers, Stormwater Retention Basins (man made lakes), creeks, streams, and ditches. Due to the high currents, ditches can be particularly hazardous near road crossings where water flows through culverts.” Parents and teachers are urged to warn children of the dangers of playing in or near water.
Wardrop reports the following:
- The land drainage systems are functioning well. Although the water levels in the Stormwater Retention Basin levels have risen substantially, no properties are at immediate risk.
- 14 flood pumping stations and 121 floodgates have been activated throughout the city to protect against the rising river.
- The sewer system is functioning as designed – to minimize the risk of basement flooding, the combined sewers overflow during heavy rainfall events. These overflows consist of wastewater diluted by rainfall runoff.
- Winnipeg’s heaviest and most intense rainfall events historically occur in June and July. Under current conditions, there is an increased risk of widespread basement flooding.
To ensure maximum protection against basement flooding, the City recommends homeowners take the following protective measures:
- Install a backwater valve and sump pit drainage system.
- Check and maintain your backwater valve and sump pit drainage system regularly.
- Improve drainage around your house – build up the ground so that water drains away from your basement, and extend downspouts so that water flows away from your house and doesn’t collect next to basement walls or basement windows or window wells.
For more information on the steps to take to reduce the risk of basement flooding, call the Basement Flooding Protection Program information line at 311 or visit winnipeg.ca/waterandwaste.
In case of a basement flooding emergency, call the Water and Waste Department’s Customer Service Centre:
311 during regular business hours, Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm
311 after regular business hours
Last update: 13.06.2005
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