Flood forecasters have lowered expected crest levels for the Red River in southern Manitoba.

Manitoba Infrastructure is now projecting the Red River at Morris will crest between April 19th and 22nd at 776.4 feet. That is nearly three feet lower than 2011 levels, when the Red climbed to 779.30 feet at Morris.

At Ste. Agathe, the Red is expected to crest between April 20th and 23rd at 769.3 feet. That is about two and a half feet lower than 2011, when the Red River at Ste. Agathe reached 771.70 feet. According to Ritchot's Emergency Coordinator, the Red River at Ste. Agathe has gone up by three feet over the last 24 hours and as of Tuesday morning was at 751.87 feet.

At St. Adolphe, the Red should crest between April 20th and 23rd at 764.30 feet. In 2011, the Red there reached 767.20 feet.

According to Manitoba Infrastructure, the Red River Floodway is expected to begin operations this Thursday or Friday as river flows increase and if ice conditions permit. Operations will be delayed if necessary until the ice is flowing freely at the Floodway control structure.