Future Development and Concerns II

Floodway Expansion

There is a 40-45% chance that the Floodway will be overtopped within the next 100 years (6). In response to this, an expansion has been planned for the Floodway, in addition to increased flood protection for areas outside of Winnipeg (1). The Floodway would be deepened by 1.5 metres and widened 30 metres. While this would increase protection from massive floods, reduce the risk of sewer backups from high water, and would allow for more control of Red River water levels, the expansion also has serious implications:

- First, the existing infrastructure which crosses the Floodway, including bridges, cables, and pipelines, would have to be removed and rebuilt at massive expense.
- Groundwater levels would lower in the surrounding area would lower, meaning area wells would have to be deepened.
- A great deal of land has to be acquisitioned along the Floodway to allow for the widening.
- Winnipeg dikes would have to be raised, as well as all roads and sidewalks that run into them.
(Adapted from River Watch Online, http://www.riverwatchonline.org)

While such an expansion would benefit Winnipeg and residents south of Ste. Agathe, residents to the north of the Floodway could see damaging consequences. Water from the expanded Floodway would reach Selkirk and the surrounding area earlier in the season, and be faster and higher in quantity than in past floods. Due to ice jams that have not yet broken up, flooding in the area would be worsened, and could potentially be redirected towards Winnipeg, as far back as Bishop Grandin Boulevard (5; Lam, 2001).

A Comprehensive Plan

The Floodway has protected Winnipeg from serious flood damage since its completion in 1968. It is part of a larger system of flood protection structures, such as the Shellmouth Dam, the Portage Reservoir, a storm sewer system, and the dike system. However, this plan focuses primarily on protecting Winnipeg residents, often at the expense of residents north and south of the city. As well, the solutions adopted by the city are engineered structures, and do not maximize the potential of natural alternatives and existing infrastructure. A comprehensive plan for the management of floodwater and its accompanying environmental problems must be established for the entire Red River Valley, beginning in the U.S. and extending to Lake Winnipeg. Problems downstream must be effectively solved, with concern for upstream residents, before such a management plan for flood protection and prevention can be successfully achieved.

• Introduction
• The Design
• The Implementation
• Future Development and Concerns I
• Future Development and Concerns II
• References

Source: Roger Rempel, P. Eng., 1997.

http://www.tetres.ca/floodzone/floodway.html

Source: Roger Rempel, P. Eng., 1997

http://www.tetres.ca/floodzone/floodway.html