Assiniboine River Swells Overnight, Cresting Above Flood Stage in Brandon

When the sun rose over Brandon on Thursday, residents discovered that the Assiniboine River had quietly, but decisively, slipped past the dreaded flood mark. At roughly 3:00 a.m. the river crested at 20.9 feet – a full 1.3 feet above the 19.6‑foot level that the city designates as the flood stage.

The surge wasn’t a sudden flash flood; it’s the result of a slow‑moving combo of melted snowpack, lingering rain and, frankly, a bit of stubborn winter that refuses to let go. Water officials from the City of Brandon’s Water Utility said the levels have been inching upward all week, and the overnight crest was the culmination of that steady climb.

What does a crest like this mean for the average Brandonite? For starters, a handful of low‑lying streets – especially those skirting the river’s western bank – saw water pooling enough to make driving tricky. Some minor road closures were put in place, mainly as a precaution, and the city’s Public Works crew was already out with sandbags and portable pumps, trying to keep the water from slipping into basements and commercial properties.

Mayor Len Prince issued a brief statement just after the crest was recorded. He thanked the emergency responders for their rapid mobilisation and reminded folks that while the river is high, there’s no immediate danger of a major flood event in the downtown core. “We’re keeping a close eye on the numbers,” he said, “and we’ll act quickly if anything changes.” He also encouraged residents to stay off the riverbanks, especially where the water is moving faster than you’d expect.

Meanwhile, the local power utility issued a heads‑up that a few outages could happen if water encroaches on electrical equipment. So far, the impact has been minimal, but they’re on standby with crews ready to respond – a comforting thought for anyone whose lights flicker when the river gets too close.

For those who love to keep an eye on the numbers, the latest reading was posted on the City of Brandon’s online dashboard at 4:15 a.m., showing the river still holding steady above the flood stage. Forecasts suggest the water will slowly recede over the next couple of days as temperatures climb and the melt slows, but officials warn that any sudden rain could send the level back up.

In short, while the Assiniboine River’s overnight rise is certainly a reminder that nature still calls the shots, the city’s preparedness and the community’s quick response are keeping things under control. If you live near the river, keep an eye on updates, have an emergency kit ready, and maybe avoid that extra coffee on the balcony if the view is now a little more… wet.