Flood preparations have begun in the communities of Ste. Agathe and St. Adolphe. Ritchot Mayor Chris Ewen says the work is being done as the result of provincial flood forecasters continuing to call for levels on the Red to be at or near 2009.

In the spring of 2009, the Red River reached 773.65 feet at Ste. Agathe. Most recent data from Manitoba's Hydrological Forecast Centre suggests that with favourable conditions, the Red River at Ste. Agathe this spring will reach 773.50 feet, but with unfavourable conditions could top at 774.50 feet. On Sunday, the RM of Ritchot reported the Red at Ste. Agathe was at 745.76 feet, rising nearly two feet in the last 24 hours.

Ewen says at St. Agathe, a super sandbag wall is going up along Pembina Trail, which runs on the west side of the Red River. The province is also in the process of building up the village dike to make sure homes are protected against a flood that is two feet higher than 2009. Motorists should not lose their access routes to and from the village.

In St. Adolphe, the Red River reached 769.20 feet in 2009. Manitoba's Hydrological Forecast Centre says with favourable conditions, the Red River at St. Adolphe will reach 769.00 feet this spring, but with unfavourable conditions could hit 770.10 feet.

Ewen says at St. Adolphe, crews are in the process of closing the dike on the north side of Provincial Road 200. The municipality says the dike will be raised to eight feet, allowing vehicles to travel both north and south by way of a controlled light standard.

According to Ewen, closing the north dike has become almost an annual tradition.

"It doesn't mean people should start panicking," he says. "It just means that we need to find a permanent solution for the north end of St. Adolphe."

Ewen says the municipality has handed out 3,200 sandbags, while their flood inquiry line has received 150 calls. Anyone looking for information is asked to call 1-204-883-2147.

He notes there are two different moods in the municipality right now. Ewen says there are those who have experienced this many times and treat this as just another spring flood and then there are those who are more apprehensive because they are new to Ritchot.

"I just want to reiterate to them, this is very common, don't feel panicked and Ritchot will make sure that they are there getting you the notice you need to get," he says.

Meanwhile, the Red River is expected to crest at Fargo tonight and then in Grand Forks on Friday. The National Weather Service anticipates the Red at Grand Forks to reach 48 feet, which would be the 6th highest crest on record, and within 16 inches of 2009.