Manitoba First Nation on edge over increased risk of flooding

Manitoba’s updated flood outlook shows an increased risk for the Interlake region. Daniel Halmarson explains.

More than 2,000 people from Peguis First Nation were forced out of their homes in 2022 due to widespread flooding, and rising water levels could threaten the Interlake community once again this spring.

In its latest spring flood outlook, the province’s Hydrologic Forecast Centre said the Fisher River basin, where Peguis is located, is at an increased risk of flooding.

The outlook said the risk stems from “significantly above‑normal snowpack, a delayed spring melt, and an increased likelihood of rapid spring runoff combined with spring precipitation.”

It said the Fisher River basin’s snow water equivalent—the amount of liquid water contained within a snowpack—is the highest it’s been in years, and adds snowfall expected in the area over the coming days could push that amount to nearly double the long-term average.

“Under median forecast conditions, peak flows are expected to reach levels similar to those observed during the 2014 spring flood,” the outlook warns.

However, under worse conditions, peak levels could approach the catastrophic 2022 levels that prompted states of emergency and evacuations in parts of the Interlake region.

In a video posted to social media last week, Peguis First Nation Chief Dr. Stan Bird said the community is working to clear snow and ice along the river and from around buildings prone to flooding. He added sandbagging efforts are also underway.

“The threat is very high. We must hope for the best, but we must also plan for the worst,” Chief Dr. Bird said. “There is an insurmountable amount of planning required to protect our community and to ensure families are safe, our homes are protected, and the most vulnerable are not overlooked.”

Lisa Naylor, Manitoba’s transportation and infrastructure minster, said she’s met directly with Chief Dr. Bird and leaders from other communities most at-risk. She said her department is also providing sandbagging equipment where it’s needed.

“The sandbagging, the preparation and working with the community hopefully will help to mitigate and prevent a lot of the damage,” Naylor told CTV News. “I know there’s a lot of community members working now on that, and there may eventually be a call for volunteers as well.”

She added that the provincial government continues to have conversations about a long-term flood mitigation plan for the Fisher River basin.

The Hydrologic Forecast Centre’s outlook also notes the Icelandic River near Riverton continues to face a moderate risk of flooding as late spring runoff approaches.

There’s also a moderate flood risk along portions of the Red, Assiniboine, Souris, Saskatchewan, and Carrot Rivers this spring.