Other Flood Protection

Manitoba's flood potential is affected by a combination of many factors such as river flow, soil moisture conditions at freeze-up, snow-water content in the snowpack and weather conditions. Manitoba has many natural water sources that require numerous flood control measures across the province.

• Fairford Dam - A new dam, built in 1961, replaced an old structure first built in 1934. It regulates water levels of Lake Manitoba and flows into Lake St. Martin and the Dauphin River.
• Gardenton Floodway - Completed in 1930 by the provincial and federal governments, it diverts flood waters from the Roseau River into a relief channel that is protected by two dikes on either side of the channel banks. It prevents flooding of local communities such as Vita and farms and agricultural lands.
• Carman Diversion - Completed in 1991, the $6 million diversion was funded by the federal and provincial governments and the Town of Carman. It diverts flood water from the Boyne River west of the town through a 9.8 km (6 miles) channel that exits into the Norquay Channel northeast of the town, providing protection for the Town of Carman. Before the diversion was built, Carman experienced major floods in 1893, 1923, 1970, 1974 and 1979. The 1979 flood caused damages of over $3 million.
• Pelican Lake Controls - Completed in 1991 by the federal and provincial governments, the project includes a diversion channel from the Pembina River to Pelican Lake, along with outflow capacity improvements to allow better regulation of water levels.
• Rock Lake - In 1993, a weir and an outlet channel to the Pembina River were built, along with dikes on the west side of the lake, to protect floodprone farmland.
• The Pas area - A series of dikes along the Saskatchewan River at The Pas protects agricultural and residential land. Funds have been invested in minor upgrades to the system in the past five years. Included in the dike system:
• The Carrot River dikes run for approximately 39 km (24 miles), from The Pas to the Saskatchewan border.
• The 34.6 km (21.5 miles) Salt Channel dikes protect the western boundary of the Carrot Valley area.
• These dikes and the Pasquia River dikes protect about 57,061 hectares (141,000 acres) of residential and farm land, including the Carrot Valley. A temporary, 11 km (6.8 miles) dike was built at Ralls Island in 2005. It was removed after the water receded.
• Seine River Diversion - Completed in 1960, the channel diverts flood water from the Seine River into the Red River in the vicinity of St. Adolphe. It significantly reduces the risk of flooding for communities like Ste. Anne and Lorette, as well as residences and farms located along the Seine River.
• Ste. Rose du Lac - A diking system was built to protect the town following damage from the 1975 flood. The 1986 flood overtopped these dikes so the federal, provincial and local governments upgraded the existing structures. New dikes and other infrastructure were also built. All the works cost $2.75 million. They protect against a 100-year flood on the Turtle River.