[Excerpts from Feb. 26, 2004 Govt. of Manitoba Press Release]
Manitoba’s spring flood potential is relatively low in the Red River Valley but localized flooding of low-lying agricultural lands could occur in some watersheds. Aquifers will be slow to recover following the drought, according to Manitoba Water Stewardship.

In its first spring flood and water supply outlook for 2004, the Hydrologic Forecast Centre suggests that, despite above average snow in many areas, dry soil conditions and low ground areas are expected to absorb most of the run-off from melting snow.

With normal weather conditions from now on, the Red and Assiniboine rivers are expected to remain within their banks this spring. The Souris River will likely produce flooding of low-lying agricultural lands from the international boundary to Hartney.

Smaller streams in southern Manitoba are expected to remain within banks unless above average precipitation or a rapid melt develops. However some watersheds, mainly from the Brandon area east to Winnipeg and to the northern Whiteshell, may experience localized flooding of low-lying areas on fields and along streams.

Full Release
Manitoba Water Stewardship Spring Outlook
Grand Forks NWS WFO Long-range Probabilistic Outlook
NWS North Central RFC Spring Outlook Products

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