June 30, 2016 – South Whiteshell Flooding Update

Voluntary Evacuation Still In Effect

A meeting for flood affected home owners, cottagers and businesses will be held on Sunday July 3, 2016 at 3:00 p.m. in the Falcon Lake Community Centre. Representatives from Sustainable Development and Manitoba Infrastructure will be on hand to provide updates on the situation

Manitoba Sustainable Development advises a voluntary evacuation of homes and cottages that have been isolated by road washouts remains in effect. A number of cottage roads and highways in the West Hawk, Falcon Lake and the Whiteshell remain flooded or damaged.

Manitoba Hydro advises that power has been restored to the area

Sandbags:

 

• 2 sandbagging machines are being operated by Sustainable Development Staff and continue to produce sandbags that are available for pickup by anyone requiring them. Sand Bags are available at the Caddy Lake boat launch, West Hawk Maintenance Yard and a third location is being set up in Falcon Lake at the Winter Storage area this evening.
• Those who normally access their cottages via Hwy #312 and Block 5 Caddy Lake may call the Falcon District Office at 349-2210to arrange the delivery of sand bags.
• If anyone would like to volunteer to assist property owners with sandbagging please contact the Falcon District office at 349-2201and leave your name and contact number.
• Anyone seeking volunteers to assist in sandbagging their property may contact the Falcon District office at 349-2201for information on how to contact available volunteers.

 

Roads:

 

• Staff continue to work on the temporary and permanent repair on all block roads.  With the anticipation of higher weekend traffic flow, Park staff will suspend repairs for the weekend late this afternoon. Repairs will commence Monday morning. Emergency repairs will continue be actioned as required through the weekend.
• Highway #312from the junction of Highway #44 to the Ontario border remains closed with approximately 32” of water on the road.
• Vehicle access to the following areas remains closed; Block 5 Caddy Lake, all cottages blocks that require access off of Hwy #312, including Caddy Lake Blocks 1, 2, 6, 7, 8, West Hawk Lake – Big Island Landing, McDougall’s Landing, and Ingolf, Ontario. A voluntary evacuation remains in place for those cottagers, home owners and businesses whose road access has been cut off in these locations.
• All remaining cottage roads are accessible at this time
• Falcon Lake South Shore Roadis open to provide single lane traffic with reduced speed; motorists should be advised that approximately 3” of water remains on the road.
• Highway 44 between Rennie and Caddy LakeResort remains closed due to flooding
• Highway #307in the North Whiteshell is washed out near CP rail tracks between Brereton Lake and Rennie, park visitors wishing to access campgrounds or park facilities in the North Whiteshell must use the park entrance at Seven Sister’s. Note this detour may add 1.5 hours to driving time, depending on destination.

 

Water Levels and Boating Restrictions:

 

• Water levels on Caddy Lake have remained constant since yesterday with a reading of 1051.3` feet above sea level, West Hawk Lake has reported a slight increase of one inch and is currently reading 1094.3 feet and Falcon Lake has increased slightly with a reading of 1068.1 feet.  This and information on other lakes in the area can be accessed at the following link:http://www.gov.mb.ca/mit/floodinfo/floodoutlook/lakes_information.html#lake_levels
• Water levels on Brereton Lake in the North Whiteshell have increased approximately 2” inches the last 24 hours.
• SD continues to work with Manitoba Infrastructure (MI) to monitor the lake levels and control structures.
• As a result of high water on the lakes in the south Whiteshell and especially Caddy Lake, to minimize potential damage to structures and shorelines by boat wakes the following restrictions have been put in place regarding boat traffic:
• Caddy lake boat use/access is being restricted to “Essential Boat Traffic Only”
• Restrictions have been put in place to prevent Recreational Boat traffic from operating within 100 metres of shore line on: Star, West Hawk & Falcon Lake.
• Boaters should use caution as there is the increased potential of floating debris on all lakes in the South Whiteshell.
• Faloma and Toniata boat launches are closed due to the high water levels.
• Falcon Beach boat launch and parking lot are closed due to the high water levels.
• Beaches in the south Whiteshell are flooded but remain accessible.
• SD has put in place temporary measures in an attempt to prevent the movement of the large pieces of floating bog on Caddy Lake and is continuing to investigate options to better deal with the floating bog pieces to prevent them from obstructing the out flow through the tunnels.

 

 

 

Trail Closures:

• The following trails area closed as of June 28, 1026: McGillivray Falls Hiking Trail, Bear Lake Hiking Trail, Hunt Lake Hiking Trail, Whiteshell River Hiking Trail, Mantario Trail, Falcon Creek Trail, Caddy Lake Tunnels are closed, and (Mantario Water route – south end) with no travel from Caddy Lake to Sailing Lake (which includes South Cross and North Cross tunnels).
• Travel is also not advised along the South Whiteshell Trans-Canada Trail – until its condition has been assessed

 

 

Campgrounds:

• Currently all campgrounds within the Whiteshell remain open. Access to campgrounds in the North Whiteshell use Seven Sister’s park entrance off of Hwy 11.  Access to campgrounds in the South Whiteshell (including Caddy Lake) can be accessed off of the Trans Canada Hwy #1.

 

Whiteshell Fish Hatchery Interpretive Centre is closed due to the road closure on PR 312.

 

If you have any further questions or require additional information please contact the Falcon District Office between 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM at 1-204-349-2201