Minnedosa Tribune
OFF TO SCHOOL
DARRELL NESBITT/MINNEDOSA TRIBUNE
With the fluctuating temperatures throughout the day, students trekking to school in the early morning hours still need to fully bundle up, however, parkas may give way to lighter apparel when heading home. Walking carefully on the icy edge of Main Street in front of Blazer’s Mini Mart on Friday, Feb 28, this trio is among the Minnedosa youth who don’t mind a little exercise before and after class.
As spring approaches, communities can breathe a little easier, as the flood risk across the region is currently assessed as low to moderate. This promising news comes from the Hydrologic Forecast Centre, based on a variety of factors, including soil moisture levels and recent weather patterns.
The outlook shows that most areas are dealing with near normal to below-normal soil moisture, which is a positive sign. This means that water levels are likely to stay below flood protection heights in communities, reducing immediate worries about significant flooding. However, there are still some concerns, particularly in regions like the Assiniboine and Qu’Appelle rivers, where the risk
is moderate.
One important factor to keep an eye on is soil frost depth, which is deeper than usual this winter. This could slow down snowmelt, leading to increased runoff if we experience a sudden warm-up. Fortunately, forecasters expect less than a 30% chance of heavy future precipitation – more than 25 mm – before mid-March, which may lower the risk of flooding.
On account, the Shellmouth Reservoir is being carefully managed in collaboration with the Shellmouth liaison committee to help prevent flooding downstream on the Assiniboine River while also ensuring there’s enough water for recreation and supply.
In preparation for any potential flooding, the Manitoba government, local authorities, and First Nations communities are actively
reviewing their emergency plans and getting ready with the necessary resources. This proactive approach is essential since unpredictable weather before the spring melt could still change the situation.
While the current outlook is encouraging, it’s important for everyone to stay alert as spring quickly approaches.
THIRTY GRAND IN YOUR HAND
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RACHEAL FLINTOFT
Minnedosa Tribune