Campgrounds Reopening In Whiteshell However Some Backcountry Remains Closed

The Province of Manitoba announced today that they are changing some of the flood-related closures and advisories at some provincial parks. All visitors are reminded to check and carefully monitor conditions prior to heading to provincial parks by heading to www.manitobaparks.com as well as www.manitoba511.ca for road closures.

Road closures remain in Duck Mountain, Nopiming and Whiteshell provincial parks. All park visitors should check www.manitoba511.ca for potential detours before travelling to parks. Park visitors are reminded to obey road and trail closures, and not attempt to drive through flooded areas or across damaged bridges.

In Whiteshell Provincial Park, Manitoba Transportation and Infrastructure is completing the removal of the emergency gravel road this week. Once completed, Provincial Road (PR) 307 will reopen to all traffic from the west entrance at Seven Sisters Falls to Nutimik Lake.

PR 307 remains closed between Nutimik Lake and the Bannock Point Petroforms due to floodwaters over the Rennie River bridge at Heart Lake. Betula Lake, Bannock Point Petroforms and the Pine Point Rapids Trail can only be accessed from the south via Rennie.

Seasonal campers at Betula, Dorothy, and Nutimik lakes and Opapiskaw Campground can return June 30. Nightly campsites at Betula and Nutimik lakes and Opapiskaw Campground will reopen July 1. Some campsites along flooded shorelines will remain closed.

The White Lake campground will remain closed until at least July 15 and the Otter Falls campground will remain closed until at least July 29 due to continuing floodwaters in these campgrounds.

Water fill stations and pump houses in the north Whiteshell region may be operating under a boil water order until the water tests safe for consumption. Campers, cottagers and residents returning to the park should be prepared to boil their water or supply their drinking water.

Manitoba Transportation and Infrastructure is continuing ongoing repairs of PR 307 and PR 309 throughout the north Whiteshell region. Expect delays when travelling in the park, use caution and drive slow when coming up to or passing work crews.

The Hunt Lake Trail, the Caddy Lake Tunnels and backcountry campsites on the Winnipeg River above Lamprey Falls remain closed due to high water levels. Travelling on the Winnipeg River above Lamprey Falls is not recommended.

Bird Lake campsites along the water remain closed until at least July 8, and the Tulabi Falls walk-in backcountry sites remain closed until at least at least July 15.

Reservation holders will be contacted if they are affected by a campsite closure. If affected by a closure, reservation holders can request a full refund or move their reservation to another available location. Campers should not pre-emptively cancel reservations before being notified of a site closure, otherwise cancellation policies will apply. Closures may be extended if flooding and wet conditions continue.