The Elm Park bridge was closed weeks ago as waters in the Red began to rise. Fears of ice jams toppling the bridge prompted the bridge's closure. While ice jams are no longer a problem, this old bridge is experiencing uncomfortably high water levels on its partially refurbished structure. The final phase of refurbishment is slated for this summer.

I am an individual who has canoed under this bridge repeatedly. I am forced to wait some time before this is safe again. If I were to canoe this area today, I would face two risks: the expected hazards of rapid river flow and the previously unthinkable (but presently very real) risk of hitting my head on the bottom of the bridge deck as I try to canoe beneath this span.

The Status of the Dikes

The ring dike that is critical to this neighbourhood's survival is seen as a thin white line within the trees of the Kingston Row/Crescent peninsula. If you have difficulity spotting this dike, this should impress upon you the fact that this final line of defence is a tenuous one.

Without these dikes, the homes behind them would suffer extensive damage. A low portion beneath the St. Vital South Osborne Bridge is consistently reinforced by sandbags placed on diking fortified by our Canadian Forces. The Canadian Military has been welcomed with opened arms in this crisis. Their efforts have been outstanding.

A house well on it's way to proving that prior preparation pays off. No doubt this homeowner will buy a round or two for their sandbaggers if this dike continues to hold back the Red.

As with any sandbag dike, the protection offered can be precarious. Seepage is a constant enemy for those defending the dike. Dike patrol workers walk the lines at all hours of the day. Once a leak is spotted, geotechnical engineers and military personnel are brought in to correct the situation. These dikes must hold back the Red regardless of how hard it may rain and how hard the wind may blow waters against them.

Please watch this space for additional updates. We will be bringing you more stories in the days ahead.

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have stories and photos you can share with us. We'll get them on this site immediately upon receiving them. You can also telephone us to contribute your flood stories by calling our flood info hotline at 992-2203.

Good Luck in Your Sandbagging Efforts!!