Manitoba flood forecasters are still predicting a 2009 size flood or slightly larger with normal or unfavourable weather conditions this spring along the Red River.

The province’s Hydrologic Forecast Centre (HFC) issued its second 2019 spring flood outlook on Wednesday.

The 2009 flood resulted in extended closures of Highway 75 and other roads and some precautionary evacuations in some areas.

Infrastructure Minister Ron Schuler says the flood protection systems in the valley are prepared to handle that kind of flood.

"The community ring dikes and the majority of individual flood protection works in the Red River Valley are equipped to the 1997 flood, plus two feet levels."

Over $800 million in permanent floodproofing measures have been put in place since 1997, including improvements and expansion of the Red River Floodway.

Flood forecasters are predicting the Red River will peak at Emerson between April 12 and April 23. Flood water levels will still be influenced by the rate of snowmelt and future snow and rain accumulation.

Schuler says the freeze and thaw cycle over the past week has been ideal.

"From our testing, we can see that the ice thickness in the Red River is now at the same level it was at this time last year. The water flows underneath the ice and because it creates friction it's thinning out the ice. In fact, there are some sections of the Red River that are already clear, and that's really good news for us."