Municipality of Rhineland officials are preparing for low to moderate flooding on the Pembina River this spring.

Manitoba's latest flood forecast is predicting favourable weather this month and into April will result in a low risk of flooding. Normal weather conditions will result in moderate flooding.

Reeve Don Wiebe says they will be monitoring the spot where the river comes up the international boundary between Gretna, Man. and Neche, ND.

"I think at those levels we'd still have to patrol the Border Road and just make sure that there is no obstructions," he said. "But again, if there's a moderate flood then there is enough road space that would prevent flooding just north of the border. If it goes to 2009 levels then, of course, it would be very tricky."

Meantime, Wiebe isn't worried about the latest forecast that has the Red River surpassing 2009 levels in unfavourable conditions, unless he says the crest on both the Red and the Pembina coincide. Because the Pembina River feeds into the Red, Wiebe explains this scenario could create some issues in the Halbstadt area.

While officials are monitoring creeks and other ravines that typically pose a problem in the municipality, Wiebe says there is very little ice build up on the waterways and he hopes this will help run-off flow a bit easier.

But what about the Buffalo Channel which has a history of spilling its banks?

"We're already cleaning out ditches and drains to compensate for that," explained Wiebe. "There are a few pressure spots and we'll advise our staff (of them) and maybe they can put a hole in there and pull out some snow and undo some blockages as we proceed."

Overall, the reeve thinks overland flooding from the Buffalo Channel will be manageable. "But again, as soon as you say that, what will the weather do?".

The Buffalo Channel in Spring 2011. File photo.