Posted on: May 13, 2022 | Roads and Highways, Safety Alerts, Water Levels
Manitoba Parks has shared the following update today.
Water levels remain high throughout Whiteshell Provincial Park. Water levels are expected to continue to rise on the on lakes throughout the park and particularly the Winnipeg River. The Winnipeg River is expected to rise approximately two feet in the next seven days as water moves from Lake of the Woods through the Winnipeg River system. Cottagers in this area should be aware that due to the natural restriction of water the level can fluctuate quickly in these areas.
A sandbagging machine has been set up at the Otter Falls Ball Diamond today for cottagers along the Winnipeg River system. A limited amount of pre-filled bags will be available here. Please be careful when attending this location and avoid machinery and staff while working.
PR 307 between Betula Lake and White Lake remains closed.
PR 312 near Caddy Lake is closed. Water is still rising in this area.
Water is covering the highways on PTH 44 near McGillvray Falls and PR 309 near Meditation Lake.
Water is present on several block roads throughout the park. High Rock Road at West Hawk, Inverness Falls Road, Jessica Lake block 5-6-7-8 and White Lake Block 4 all have larger areas of water on the roadways. Caution should be used when travelling through flooded areas.
The following boat launches are closed due to flooded access and unstable launch conditions: White Lake, Jessica Lake, Rennie River/ Heart Lake on PR 307 near Betula, Nutimik Lake Block 1, Opapiskaw, South Shore Big Whiteshell, Toniata, Brereton Lake North Shore (Inverness Falls), and Falcon Beach Campground. Boat Traffic on Jessica Lake should be aware of debris and large areas of floating bog which are present on the lake.
To minimize potential erosion caused by boat wakes, recreational motor boat restrictions are now in place. Recreational motor boat traffic is prohibited from operating within 100 metres of shorelines on West Hawk, Falcon, Caddy, Star, Brereton, Jessica, White, Big Whiteshell, Betula, Nutimik, Dorothy, Margaret and Eleanor Lakes in Whiteshell Provincial Park. When exiting or approaching the shoreline, boats should move directly out from land and avoid creating a wake where possible.
The following hiking trails are closed: Alfred Hole, Whiteshell River, the Marsh Trail (between Falcon Lake Marina and Beach Campground), TransCanada Trail at Penniac Bay, and Falcon Creek. Mantario Hiking Trail remains open however the south trailhead is closed. Hikers should use the north trailhead for both the start and end of their trip. All hikers should be prepared to encounter high water especially at McGillivray Falls, Pine Point Rapids and Rainbow Falls. Water is still very cold and extra caution should be used near shorelines.
The Caddy Lake Tunnels along the canoe route are not passable and are closed.
Campers should check the Manitoba Parks homepage for the status of campgrounds prior to coming to the park. Several campgrounds have full or partial closures.
Sandbags for filling and sand are available for cottage owners to protect cottages or weigh down docks at the Otter Falls Ball Diamond, across from Nutimik Maintenance Yard, the Betula Ball Diamond, the parking lot across from Brereton Lake Resort, the West Hawk maintenance yard and the causeway at Falcon Lake. The location across Brereton Lake Resort and the Otter Falls Ball Diamond have a limited amount of pre-filled sand bags available.
If cottagers have any questions, concerns or urgent matters please contact Manitoba Parks at 204-340-6769. To report an emergency please contact 911 if located in the South Whiteshell and if in the North Whiteshell contact the Whitemouth RCMP detachment at 204-348-7177.
We encourage everyone to check manitoba511.ca before travelling (you can also call 511 anywhere in Manitoba to get updates by phone).
Manitoba Parks staff are working in conjunction with staff from the department of Manitoba, Transportation and Infrastructure to monitor lake levels and adjust control structures where possible.
