Officials with the province said Wednesday that a deliberate dike breach made near Hoop and Holler Bend on May 14 is now permanently closed.

The breach, southeast of Portage la Prairie, was meant to ease water flows and lower pressure on other Assiniboine River dikes.

Last week, the province said crews moved to seal off the intentional breach, but officials added it might be re-opened if water levels increased once more.

The province said water levels on the Assiniboine River are dropping in the area.

Officials said any extra water from heavy rainstorms can be handled by the Portage Diversion.

Property owners who didn't see any flood waters as a result of the deliberate dike breach can remove their dikes, said officials. Large flood tube barriers will need to be handled by professional crews.

Three homes in the area around the previous breach site remain under evacuation and dikes need to remain in place. A mandatory evacuation of 15 homes near the Portage Diversion has ended.

The province added that volunteers are needed in sandbagging efforts in communities around Lake Manitoba.

Those interested in volunteering in the RM of St. Laurent are asked to call 204-646-2259, while those in the RM of Siglunes can call 204-768-2641 and those in the RM of Grahamdale can contact 204-768-2858.