The Winnipeg River is expected to reach the ridge in early June, according to the Manitoba government.
A newsletter for the province’s floods released Saturday said the river still has high flows and water levels due to “significant volumes of water upstream in Ontario from Lake Forest and Lake Seoul.”
Water levels in the Winnipeg River are expected to remain above normal for several weeks after rising next month.
The Manitoba government noted that the flood warning is still in force for this river, as well as for the Lake Whiteshel area. Property owners in these areas must continue to take the necessary precautions.
The province advises not to travel in the area of Weitschel Provincial Park, as many highways are flooded and the trip is “insidious”.
Manitoba Parks has ordered the evacuation of the Lake Betula area of Whiteshell Provincial Park. This includes cottage units; shopping, group, daily, places for recreation and picnics; children’s playgrounds; paths; and beaches. A complete list of restricted lakes and launching boats, camps and closing trips can be found online.
As of Saturday, 42 local emergencies have been declared in Manitoba. The Manitoba Emergency Management Organization is working with local authorities and emergency management partners to help communities respond and recover.
Manitoba Hydro also asks people to be careful on and around rivers and lakes, especially near generator stations.
A complete list of flood warnings, clocks and high water recommendations in Manitoba can be found online.
INJURY IN THE WHITE BELLY
As some parts of Whiteshell Provincial Park have been evacuated, others are already watching the water level drop.
At West Hawk Lake, docks are burying the main boat as residents and cottages can now investigate the damage.
Jamie Lynn Sopka spent the weekend in the area of her parents’ hut.
Two weeks ago, she received a call from the contractor who built her dock, saying she had to put sandbags on to protect him.
Initially, she put 30 on the dock, but had to put another 100 after the water began to damage it.
“It was kind of a failure, so when I called him, he said you needed a hundred more. So I added a hundred with some great friends last weekend, “she said.
Sopka said the situation has been tense, but she is grateful that it is not dealing with more damage.
“I think it was stressful for everyone, but there are people who are much worse than us,” she said. “People have lost entire houses for boats, docks, and in some parts of Whiteshell and their cabins.”
The damage extends beyond personal property in the area.
Local business owner Sean Harbottle noticed that the sea wall in front of his store was falling.
“It’s unfortunate,” said Harbottle, owner of Crescent Beach Cottages & Motel. “The action of the wave actually dug up the sea wall, and then the wall started counting, so I think there’s an eight-inch gap there now, so it’s falling.”
The sea wall is now barricaded with duct tape so that people cannot approach it. Beneath it, where there used to be a beach, everything is water.
Harbottle said he had never seen the lake so high at the moment, noting that he had lived in the area all his life.
“We’ve seen everything from refrigerators to docks to stairs. So it’s dangerous, but the villa owners have to be here,” he said. “They need to secure their boats and find out.”
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