Well this week has been all about the flood, water levels are still rising and a large number of homes and cottages are still at risk. It is quite likely that my husband and I’s anniversary weekend will be spent helping sandbag.
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| Courtesy Manitobaphotos.com Hwy 18 in Brandon, MB |
This year is unlike any other as it is not the Red river but the Assiniboine river threatning to spill it's banks entirely. I do not recall, nor can anyone else I know recall, this level of flooding along the Assiniboine River. It is being called a 1 in 300 year flood.
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| Courtesy of Manitobaphotos.com Assiniboine River - Brandon, MB |
The cities and towns near Brandon and Portage La Prairie have already been forced to evacuate a number of homes and from pictures coming out of the region the water levels are incredibly high.
The province is proposing a risky intentional breach of the Assiniboine’s dike, so homes that weren’t expecting any problems are now suddenly at the highest risk. The province knows this breach will flood some homes that weren’t expected to be at risk but it is considered a better alternative then ten times that number of homes, floating away in the case of an accidental breach.
I understand the concept of sacrificing the few for the many but let us face it these things don’t always go as planned. Trying to control this amount of water, about equal to the flow of Niagara Falls apparently, may not be so simple.
The province obviously knows the results may not be as expected as they keep pushing the time line back in hopes that it won’t have to be done at all. Currently the province says they will breach the dike Saturday morning releasing water from the Assiniboine River into farm land which will then make its way into the La Salle river basin.
De-stabilizing a dike that has stood for decades may have results they don’t intend and it is conceivable that they will not be able to control the water flow. I realize at this point the province really doesn’t have many choices left the Portage Diversion is currently being pushed far beyond design capabilities and simply cannot handle more water nor can the bank of the Assiniboine River and the water is still rising.
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| Courtesy of Manitobaphotos.com Portage River Diversion |
The La Salle River has many communities, farmers and hutterite colonies along it’s winding path which are now in a panic to be protected. We do have friends along the La Salle River as well as my parents, any help we can give them we will. I’m hoping for the best but will be helping to prepare for the worst. My thoughts and prayers are with all those whose farms, towns and homes are at risk.
