River levels steady after rapid rise
The City of Brandon says the Assiniboine River appears to have reached its peak through the community, with levels stabilizing after climbing roughly 2.3 metres in less than a week. Municipal crews spent the past several days reinforcing the community’s flood defences, including adding to the dike system, installing large sandbags and deploying pumps at key low spots along the river corridor.
While the immediate surge has levelled off, officials cautioned that the river will remain elevated for several days. The city emphasized that conditions are still dynamic given the size of the Assiniboine basin and the influence of upstream flows.
City warns outlook depends on rain
Mayor Jeff Fawcett said the municipality’s early alerts and preparations helped address weak points before the crest arrived, but he urged residents to remain cautious as the weather picture develops.
“If we receive significant rainfall locally or within the Shellmouth or Assiniboine basins, the flood forecast could change again,” the mayor said.
Brandon’s message to people in flood-prone areas remains unchanged: stay ready to leave quickly if conditions deteriorate. The city’s advisory applies to low-lying neighbourhoods near the river where localized flooding or seepage is more likely when levels are high.
Residents keep ‘go bags’ by the door
In Kirkcaldy Heights, one of the neighbourhoods nearest the river, residents said they are keeping essentials close at hand. Karen McKay said she and her husband acted on last week’s notification to prepare for a possible evacuation.
“I have a couple of changes of clothes, I have every pill that we’ve ever taken, and I’ve had my makeup and my hair stuff,” McKay said. “We’ve had it packed and ready at the door.”
Brandon’s advice is aimed at limiting last-minute scrambling if an order to evacuate becomes necessary. Even though the crest appears to have passed, prolonged high water can stress riverbanks and infrastructure and can be sensitive to additional rainfall.
What the city has done so far
According to the city, preparatory work in the last week focused on identified weak points and areas where water could overtop or seep through. That effort included:
- Adding material to existing dikes along vulnerable stretches.
- Placing large sandbags and temporary barriers in low-lying zones.
- Setting up pumps to manage seepage and surface water.
- Issuing early public notifications to residents near the river.
Officials said the combination of early notice and targeted reinforcement reduced risks heading into the crest.
Current status at a glance
| Indicator | Status |
|---|---|
| River trend in Brandon | Stabilizing after rapid rise |
| Recent change | Up approximately 2.3 m in under a week |
| Dike and barrier work | Completed/reinforced at weak points |
| Evacuation readiness | Advised for low-lying areas |
| Weather risk | Significant rainfall could alter forecast |
What residents should do now
Although water levels are no longer climbing quickly, the city says the coming days are critical as high flows persist. People living near the Assiniboine should keep vehicles fuelled, maintain a 72-hour supply of essentials, and monitor official updates in case conditions change with new precipitation in the region or upstream in the Shellmouth and Assiniboine basins.
- Stay subscribed to municipal alerts and local advisories.
- Keep go bags accessible with medications and important documents.
- Use caution around riverbanks and temporary flood works.
Brandon officials plan to continue inspections of defences and to run pumps where needed while the river remains high. The city reiterated that while the crest is encouraging, readiness remains the best protection should the forecast shift.
