The chair of the Lake Manitoba Rehabilitation Committee says the recommendations outlined in a recent report on the use of flood outlets don't really have right or wrong answers. Tom Teichroeb is responding to the 2015 report, which was made public this summer focusing on the use of various outlets, including the Portage Diversion.

The report recommends balance be struck between the amount of water being sent down the Assiniboine River and what's been diverted to Lake Manitoba through the Portage Diversion. Teichroeb notes the Assiniboine River route is the natural way for water to flow, so the recommends makes sense. However, in looking at the report, he mirrors Portage Reeve Kam Blight's comments regarding the creation of additional flood mitigation measures on Lake Manitoba.

"It just accentuates the issue and the need for an additional channel on Lake Manitoba. In the case of a big event, we could help alleviate the damages caused by flooding. I hope that highlights the need for the bigger picture, and that's the channel."

He's also a fan of the idea of reducing the use of the Portage Diversion, which would help to decrease the flood risk on Lake Manitoba. However, he says the benefits go beyond flood mitigation, as using the diversion less would also make for a healthier lake and fewer algae blooms.

"Anytime you bring flood waters into the south basin of Lake Manitoba, the studies clearly show phosphorus load that comes into the lake. It's going to keep the lake much, much cleaner, and the water was never intended to go that route in the first place."

While he feels the report wasn't put together with the intention of putting pressure on the government to create the outlet, he says it could have a positive effect. Teichroeb says the latest report may help better educate the public about the importance of the project, making it a higher priority for the government.