Vol. 128 No.

45 Friday, January 21, 2011 Minnedosa, Manitoba Canada R0J 1E0 90 cents + tax

Spring flooding a concern

By DARRYL HOLYK mal ground saturation and for the worst case scenario
moisture levels along with a and hope for the best.”

T here is great concern

in many areas of the
province over the potential
of a serious spring flooding
problem. Across the prov-
ince, discussions are taking
place on proper flooding
preparedness, including
here in Minnedosa. Lo-
cal Emergency Measures
Organization Coordina-
tor, Ron Ludwig, met with
Town Council last Tuesday
evening.
“It’s inevitable Mani-
toba is going to get some
flooding. Westman hope-
fully not as bad as some
areas, but it depends on
spring conditions,” ex-
plained Ron.
File photo There are a number of
factors which are already
The spring of 2001 saw excessive flooding of the Little Saskatchewan River.
contributing to potential
Planning is underway for a potential flood again this spring. flooding; higher than nor-
high accumulation of snow
this winter are concerns.
Some rivers in the prov-
ince, including the Little
Saskatchewan are already
experiencing higher than
usual water levels and the
spring thaw hasn’t even be-
gun. Minnedosa, like many
other communities in the
province is expected to ex-
perience some flooding
come spring. The severity
of the flooding is depen-
dent on the rate of thaw,
temperatures and whether
or not we receive more pre-
cipitation before and dur-
ing the spring thaw.
“How we are going
to be affected along the
Little Saskatchewan, only
time will tell,” explained
Ron. “But we have to be
prepared. We have to plan
If and when flooding
problems begin to arise,
Minnedosa will be ready to
fight the water with sand-
bags and pumps. Volun-
teers will be called on if
required and hopefully an
emergency flooding situa-
tion can be averted.
Next month, Ron will
attend a Manitoba Water
Stewardship conference in
Brandon which will focus
on the potential flooding
situation in the province.
For local flooding
preparedness, a mock
emergency flood exercise
has been suggested as a
practice run prior to a real
flooding emergency. Ron
will try to organize such a
mock scenario for Febru-
ary or early March at the
latest.

By KATHLEEN LEDWITH
Touch quilts for Alzheimer’s
T he Alzheimer Society
of Manitoba is looking
for volunteer quilters to
help make around 10,000
touch quilts this year. Af-
ter learning this, a group
of local ladies got together
to make some wonderful,
eye-catching quilts for the
society.
On Friday, January
14th and Saturday, January
15th, the ladies gathered at
the 50+ Centre armed with
their sewing machines,
irons, material and lots of
needles. There was a hive
of activity as some of the
ladies were sewing, and
another lady was ironing.
Everyone was very excited
and happy to be working
on their quilts.
Continued on Page 6
Photo by Kathleen Ledwith