As the Assiniboine River begins to peak and recede in western Manitoba, floodwaters are now making their way east. However, we’re not expecting to see all that water flow through Winnipeg.
That’s because the Portage Diversion is rerouting water off the Assiniboine River, near Portage la Prairie, north towards Lake Manitoba. Just like the Floodway, the Portage Diversion protects Winnipeg by directing water away from the city.
“We’re still keeping a close watch on what impact the recent heavy rainstorms are having on our waterways, and we’re in close contact with our provincial counterparts”, explains Jeremy Greshuk, our Branch Head of Land Drainage and Flood Protection.
River levels increasing during the summer because of heavy rain is not unusual for us, and we aren’t anticipating anything significant along the Assiniboine here in Winnipeg at this time.
While people may have noticed the Assiniboine rise within Winnipeg in recent days, the river’s level is like what we experienced in May during the spring melt.
Be careful around waterways
While it’s always important to be cautious around our waterway, you should be extremely careful under the current conditions. Please remind children to never play along the riverbank, and keep dogs away from the river’s edge.
Hidden debris under the water’s surface is also a risk for boaters and other watercraft.
If you do see someone in distress, call 9-1-1 immediately. Never attempt a rescue yourself. Instead, leave it to our trained first responders.
Our City, Our Podcast
A lot goes on behind the scenes to prepare for rising river levels. Jeremy Greshuk joined Our City, Our Podcast to discuss how flood protection is not just about big storms. It also involves regular maintenance, long-term planning, and work that happens every day. The episode was released in May 2026.
You can listen in the player below or wherever you get your podcasts.