Why does the Red River floodplain experience flooding?

The Red River of the North flows through a region that was once the floor of the glacial Lake Agassiz. Because of this geological history, much of the river valley in southern Manitoba is a natural floodplain, which has historically been subject to frequent inundation.12

While the region is highly fertile, its flat topography makes it prone to flooding. To manage this, modern flood-control infrastructure, such as the Red River Floodway and the Portage Diversion, has been implemented to mitigate the impact of high water levels on surrounding communities.2