Brandon flood prep underway as Assiniboine River expected to crest next week

Manitoba's second-largest city is gearing up as the Assiniboine River rises, with a crest expected to arrive sometime next week.

Municipal crews have started shoring up a dike, sealing manholes and drains and preparing water pumps in preparation for the crest, expected to happen between April 10 and 17.

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Forecasters are currently projecting the river to crest at levels lower than in 2014, when one of Brandon's main arteries, First Street, was closed as flood waters from the Assiniboine covered the roadway.

City officials say they don't expect they'll have to close the street this year, but that could change if conditions become unfavourable.

As a precaution, the city closed public access on Tuesday to Dinsdale Park and Queen Elizabeth Park, which are both in low-lying areas adjacent to the river, as well as a pedestrian bridge at the Riverbank Discovery Centre.

Overland flooding remains a concern

Ice jams and spring runoff are continuing to cause overland flooding across parts of southern Manitoba.

Provincial flood officials say much of the ice has moved out on some rivers but some stubbornly remains in place along the Assiniboine River.

The latest flood bulletin says ice jams are still possible and are hard to predict.

Officials say the Red River is continuing to rise but is nearing its crest.

Water levels in some smaller Red River tributaries are starting to decline.

The province says high water advisories, flood watches and flood warnings remain in place on several creeks and rivers across the province.

"Much of the snow has already melted in southern Manitoba, with snow remaining in wooded areas," said the bulletin issued Tuesday.

"Flows on waterways across the province are continuing to react to the runoff from the melt and water levels remain high on many waterways."