Wednesday, September 28, 2005

Drainage and the new Lake Winnipeg dike



When I visited Lake Winnipeg to see the new dike near Matlock there was an item I was quite concerned about. The dike has been built with very small culverts. For example, in one spot, two large culverts drain quite an area inland from the lake (top photo). All the water coming through these culverts must then pass through a tiny culvert (bottom photo) under the dike. It is quite likely there could be water backup here in the spring, and possibly a threat of flooding to homes in the area. When a new dike like this is built it is important that it protect people and not do harm. Let us hope that there are not problems in the spring, or at other times with heavy rains), because drainage from inland was not adequately considered.