Councillor for the RM of Sifton, Scott Phillips, is meeting with Provincial leaders today to discuss challenges taking place with the rising levels of the Assiniboine River at Manitoba's western edge over at the Shellmouth Dam.

A group of five local representatives are meeting with the Minister of Agriculture, Ron Kostyshyn, and Lisa Naylor, the Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure, as well as Mark Rosner, Chief of Staff for Premier Wab Kinew

Phillips says the trip to Winnipeg today is to share the dilemma and to discuss what can be done.  "We'll be talking about the Shellmouth Dam and the water being released down the Assiniboine River and the impact on producers."

As well, this raises safety concerns in that region.

"When the waters flood the highways, there is PTH 21, Harrison Road, and PR 254, that impacts 911 services," explains Phillips. "We've got to work together."

Last week Friday Manitoba Transportation and Infrastructure’s Hydrologic Forecast Centre issued a flood warning for the Assiniboine River between Shellmouth Dam and Brandon as a recent fast snowmelt resulted in high flows in rivers and tributaries. A flood warning had been issued for these areas as the rising water levels could potentially impact low-lying areas.

The Assiniboine River was expected to be within its banks this week.

"I know there are reasons for the releasing of the water from the Shellmouth but somehow it's got to improve, so we're taking in a group of producers to see what the best way to do this," adds Phillips.  "There's just so much water coming in at Lake of the Prairies and the Assiniboine River can't hold it all.  So, we just need to go in and give them a hands-on view from the producers who live right there in that area of the province and tell them what's going on because you can't tell from Winnipeg."

Friday's media release stated the Hydrologic Forecast Centre advised that outflow from the Shellmouth Dam will increase to 3,000 cubic feet per second (cfs) from the current 1,000 cfs to accommodate a high flow coming from Saskatchewan. The current inflow into the lake is 6,355 cfs.