Floodway horn won't be heard when operation begins Sunday

Never send to know for whom the horn blows, it won't blow for thee.

The Red River Floodway is expected to be put into operation Sunday, but residents living near the control structure will not be hearing the familiar sound of the horn blowing beforehand.

In the past, a horn would be sounded 30 minutes prior to closing the floodway gates on the Red River, which diverts water into the floodway.

In May 2017, the guidelines surrounding use of the horn during floodway operations were changed, and its use is no longer required. The province did not elaborate on why the changes were made.

The horn was not used last year because the floodway was not used, the province said.

The control structure will go into operation once ice on the river has cleared, and municipal officials have been notified the province said. 

In a tweet Saturday afternoon the Manitoba Government said the floodway was scheduled start operating Sunday at noon.

The government said the initial operation is not anticipated to raise the water level of the river but gate changes starting Sunday evening would gradually raise upstream levels.

In an email to CBC Friday a provincial spokesperson said the floodway will remain open depending on the impact of recent precipitation in North Dakota and future precipitation, which could prolong its use.

Courchaine Road from Turnbull Drive to St Mary's Road closed on Friday at noon to allow for floodway operations, and is expected to remain closed until May 24.

The floodway is expected to be in use for about 5-6 weeks, depending on conditions, the province said.

Maximum floodway flow is projected to be 32,000 cubic feet per second.

Flood information can be found on the province's website.