Skip to Main Content
The University of Manitoba campuses are located on original lands of Anishinaabeg, Cree, Ojibwe-Cree, Dakota, and Dene peoples, and on the National Homeland of the Red River Métis. More

Red River Floodway Collection: Home

Red River Floodway Collection

Call Number: Mss 60, Pc 78 (A.90-63)

Title: Red River Floodway Collection.

Dates: 1962-1972

Extent: 0.8 m of textual records. -- 511 photographs. -- 5 films.

Historical note: In 1950, Winnipeg experienced another great Red River flood which caused millions of dollars in damages and disrupted the lives of thousands of people. As a consequence, the governments of Canada and of Manitoba decided to investigate flood preventative measures for the Red and Assiniboine River basins. It was found the city could expect floods equal to, or surpassing, the flood of 1950 every thirty-six years, thus various flood control devices were then studied. Increasing the channel flow of the Red River or dyking around Winnipeg were some of the devices examined. Construction of a floodway, at approximately 57 million dollars, was finally agreed upon as the most effective preventative measure. Consequently, the Red River Floodway was completed in 1967.

Custodial history: The collection was donated to University of Manitoba Archives & Special Collections by the Faculty of Engineering.

Scope and content: The collection contains films, photographs, drawings, correspondence, reports, and test sheets. Most of the correspondence is between Professor E. Kuiper and R. L. Walker between January and October of 1962. The plans and original data sheets of the floodway model designs span the period from 1961 to 1963. The construction and purpose of the inlet model are documented, as well as examples of test data sheets. The plans detail the construction of models and include rating curves, sketch and contour plans. The films, made between 1962 and 1963, demonstrate various tests on the models. The films have a running time of about five minutes each.

Restrictions: There are no restrictions on this material.

Accruals: No further accruals are expected.

Finding aid: A printed finding aid is available in the Archives reading room and an on-line finding aid is available at the link below:

MSS 60, PC 78 (A.90-63).