Council for the Municipality of Rhineland continues to lobby for a low-level crossing near the Rosenheim Drain southeast of Horndean.

As Reeve Don Wiebe explains, about two years ago a bridge was washed out at a rural intersection in the area and was never replaced, closing the road indefinitely. He said Council believes a low-level crossing would present some savings over a new structure while accommodating the needs of local farmers.

"It's a dirt road intersection and so it's not a high-traffic area," added Wiebe.

However, the provincial government issued a moratorium on the creation of new low-level crossings several years ago due to safety concerns.

According to Dan Laychuk, Acting Director of Regional Water Operations for Manitoba Infrastructure's Water Management and Structures Division, the ban is the result of several instances where people died trying to drive through flooded crossings and the current sweeping them away in their vehicles. He added there was another incident where a father and his young daughter had to be rescued by local fire fighters after they were unable to drive through moving water at a low-level crossing.

This ban means Rhineland's request would require a policy change on the part of government.

"We keep working toward that," said Wiebe.

He added the municipality is willing to accept liability for the low-level crossing if the province were to allow an exception to its policy.

"We can monitor that from the municipal level," said Wiebe. "There would only be a couple of times a year, in spring and in heavy rain events, where that road might be closed. We do this currently with some of our crossings where we put up the appropriate notices that say 'road closed' or 'water over the culvert'."

Laychuk says, however, there are other factors to consider in this scenario.

"Is it technically going to work at that location and of course, safety is the main issue. (What are) the legal ramifications? Is it practical?"

He adds environmental requirements are another factor.

Another issue with low-level crossings according to Laychuk is that they are high maintenance. He says each high-water event leaves behind debris that plugs culverts requiring crews to clean them out fairly often.

"If you don't and they plug up the crossing actually becomes a dam. When you have a dam, water pressure increases and it tries to undermine the crossing," explained Laychuk. "We have had failures by that scenario."

Meantime, Laychuk says the province is, in fact, re-assessing the options laid out in the moratorium.

Currently, if a rural bridge or other crossing is damaged the only solutions available are to either replace it with a similar structure or other full-level crossing if it is a high-traffic road or, if it's a low-travelled road, close it completely.

"A high-level crossing, either a large diameter culvert crossing or a bridge, is so costly. Low-level crossings are much cheaper but of course, they do have their drawbacks."

And as the Red River Valley prepares for a significant high-water event this spring, Laychuk is encouraging motorists to stay safe if they encounter a flooded low-level crossing or other areas where water may be over the road.

"If there is any water depth don't even try to cross it," he said. "A foot of water with velocity will easily push a small car over and once you're in the deep water you're in some serious trouble."