That could force the utility to file for a rate increase this fall, unless it uses built-up equity to make up for the lost revenue, he said. But Environment Canada is forecasting below-normal precipitation at least until June. There haven't been many April showers either. Rainfall for the month is running at only a quarter of normal to date, Paola added. Back on the Red River, the Lockport dam's locks were installed Thursday, but it will take a week to raise the river's water level from as low as 3.1 feet to where it should be at 7.2 feet.
Debris tends to gravitate out to the middle of the river.
And that's where people have to be careful. The Red and Assiniboine rivers aren't the only Manitoba waterways that are low. Excellent whitewater rivers east of Lake Winnipeg are flowing at a half to one-third their normal levels, Brabant said. Cottagers could also be in for a surprise when they open up their cabins this weekend. Pelican Lake in southwestern Manitoba is a foot below its summer level, and the Twin Beaches on Lake Manitoba is about half a foot below summer level.