Municipal leaders along the Red River Valley are applauding last week's provincial funding announcement to enhance floodproofing capacity.

The Manitoba government is handing out $7.8 million to 83 municipalities across the province to help them enhance their capacity for flood preparedness and build resiliency for future floods.

Ralph Groening, reeve for the RM of Morris, says he appreciates the funding support and called it timely. "It will allow us to actually get ahead of the game and to put in place some of the purchases that are important in high water situations."

The RM of Morris is receiving over $130,000 to purchase several items including culvert steaming equipment, generators and a trash pump which is capable of pumping debris-filled water without clogging.

Meanwhile, the town of Altona has been awarded $100,000 under the same program to help shore up its flood defences. Mayor Al Friesen welcomes the support. "We are not in the path of the Red River but we are impacted by spring runoff and overland flooding and this addresses something that was not in our budget. In the past, we would have had to borrow that kind of money, so this is a welcome addition."

Friesen says the 100-thousand dollars will be used to purchase a diesel-powered 6-inch pump which will provide them with more capacity to move excess water and can be moved around wherever needed using a trailer.