Ramp at Morris on April 17th

Manitoba Infrastructure is reporting the Red River is near its crest at Emerson.

A flood warning still remains in effect from Emerson to the Red River Floodway, however, the province on Saturday downgraded its flood projections. The forecast is tracking below 2006 spring levels at Emerson and Letellier. Whereas, areas north of Letellier are expected to peak marginally above 2019 spring levels.

Since Friday, the Red has climbed two inches at Emerson, while at Morris it has climbed eight inches during that same time. The Red is expected to peak at Morris on Monday or Tuesday.

Manitoba infrastructure has completed construction of a ramp on Highway 75 on the north side of Morris as part of efforts to keep the highway open for as long as possible. The peak water level on the Red River at Morris will determine if there is a need for a full closure over the next few days.

At Ste. Agathe, the Red River rose six inches since Friday. It is now expected to crest on Monday or Tuesday at between 766.6 and 766.9 feet. It is currently at 765.7 feet. By comparison, last year it reached 764.84 feet at Ste. Agathe.

According to Ritchot Mayor Chris Ewen, there have been eleven residences evacuated as of Saturday. Most of these are in the Howden area, with a couple of them south of St. Adolphe. Ewen notes all of the evacuations are the result of loss of road access.

There are still eight road closures in Ritchot. They are the LaSalle Bridge on Waverley, Crown Valley Road at Provincial Road 200, Courchaine Rd Between PR 200 and Turnbull Drive, Alarie Road Between PR 200 and Crystal Springs, Levesque Road at PR 305, Prefontaine Road from PR 200 to Sood, Meyers Road from PR 200 to Red River and Twin Creek Road from PR 200 to Sood.

Meanwhile, according to the National Weather Service, Pembina is expected to crest on Monday at 50.9 feet, which is about 18 inches higher than last spring.