The province said crews started work Friday at noon to close the deliberate dike breach near Hoop and Holler Bend, southeast of Portage la Prairie.
Water flow levels have started to drop, allowing the breach to be closed, said the province. The closure work was expected to take several hours to put into place.
While flows still remain high, levels are starting to decline and the Assiniboine River dikes and Portage Diversion are currently able to handle the water amounts, said officials.
The province cautioned, however, that the closure of the controlled release is not considered a permanent move yet. It said the option to re-open it will remain in place for at least another week.
The deliberate dike breach was carried out on May 14 to ease pressure from water flows, said the province.
The province originally said the controlled release would eventually lead to water spreading over more than 200 square kilometres, but it turns out only about three kilometres took on water.
Steve Ashton, the province's minister of emergency measures, admitted Friday the impact of the controlled release was much less than first expected.
Residents in the Hoop and Holler Bend and Newton areas say they are relieved.
"Now that it's closed, me and the rest of my staff will be able to get some sleep," said Shea Doherty, who owns a nearby greenhouse.
Premier Greg Selinger said the dike would only be opened up once more if a major weather system brings more rain into the area.
Selinger also extended thanks to the military Friday for its help in the flood fight.
In some communities along Lake Manitoba, meanwhile, sandbagging work continued Friday to protect cottages from rising water levels.
- with a report from CTV's Josh Crabb
