Extreme caution is advised for travel on the Burntwood River, Threepoint, Footprint and Birch Tree Lakes for the winter period.
Please travel with extreme caution on and around the Burntwood River, Threepoint, Footprint and Birch Tree Lakes for the winter season.
Due to extremely dry conditions across the Churchill River basin this year, Manitoba Hydro stored water in Southern Indian Lake during the summer and fall of 2024 for use during the winter. Over the months of December and January Manitoba Hydro will now increase flows through the Notigi Control Structure from around 17,000 cfs to 24,000 cfs.
These increased flows through now-frozen lakes and rivers may create hazardous ice conditions such as thin ice or open water areas and slush.
Extreme caution is advised for any travel on the waterway between the Notigi Control Structure and the Thompson Seaplane Base including Wapisu, Threepoint, Footprint, Opegano and Birch Tree Lakes.
Throughout the winter lake levels will rise on:
- Footprint Lake around 4 ft from 791 ft to 795 ft
- Birch Tree Lake around 3.5 ft from 641 ft to 644.5 ft
- Thompson Seaplane Base around 5 ft from 608.5 to 613.5 ft
Please obey all warning signs, stay away from any open water, keep to marked trails and keep away from the water’s edge as banks and rocks can be unstable or slippery.
Due to frequent and unpredictable changes in water levels and flow conditions, the waterways and ice near hydroelectric facilities and water control structures can be dangerous to the public. This is especially true in the areas immediately upstream and downstream of the facilities and control structures.
These potential hazards are not always well-known to the public.
Additional water level and flow information is available at: www.hydro.mb.ca/waterlevels/
If you have any questions or concerns, please e-mail [email protected].
