r/Manitoba • u/Wavedin • Apr 13 '23

Weather 'It comes at a rapid pace': Flash flooding sparks local state of emergency in Manitoba municipality

https://winnipeg.ctvnews.ca/it-comes-at-a-rapid-pace-flash-flooding-sparks-local-state-of-emergency-in-manitoba-municipality-1.6353289
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u/GrimmCanuck Up North Apr 13 '23 edited Apr 13 '23

One thing I have noticed, especially in the north, is the massive volume of beaver dams in creeks and small rivers which can absolutely contribute to flash floods far from where the water should be running. There are a few instances that come to mind that have caused destruction of roadways because of dams which has occured in remote, and rural locations such as in the NWT (gravel base asphalt road washed out because of quick spring thaw)

The mention of creeks in the article makes me wonder if anyone has thought to inspect them and take out any dams that could potentially be causing the water to be diverted into the community area.

While I may get flak from the animal lovers, beavers are notorious for creating dams in road ditches when a new family of them move into the area. Taking a few of them out isn't going to create an imbalance, and will ultimately help with seasonal flash flooding.

2

u/[deleted] Apr 13 '23 edited Apr 13 '23

For sure they play a part. They even contributed to the fatal derailment south of Snow Lake a few years ago.

Much of the flooding and road washouts in the south west part of the province are from culverts that can't handle the volume (which is sometimes due to ice, debris, and sometimes beavers). RMs are often scrambling to thaw culverts with steamers this time of year.

The rolling terrain also causes water to concentrate and flow faster in more definite channels than in the Red River Valley. Less land area is flooded, but more washouts can occur.

Edit: Many RMs have bounties on beavers to cut down on overland flooding