Assiniboine River skating trail Winnipeg.

Winnipeg is the capital and largest city of the province of Manitoba in Canada. It is centred on the confluence of the Red and Assiniboine rivers, near the longitudinal centre of North America. Even though Winnipeg is located only 90 miles from the American border, relative to other areas of North America it is a northern city.

Winnipeg has extreme weather in terms of temperatures. The winters are brutally cold, with temperatures in December, January and February often reaching 30 degrees below zero, often accompanied with very brisk winds. On the other side of the ledger the summers are hot, with temperatures often reaching into the high 30’s celsius, or in the 90’s fahrenheit. Therefore Winnipegers experience very hot weather on one hand to unbelievably cold weather that could kill people if they are exposed without proper clothing or shelter.

The population of the Winnipeg metro area is just over 800,000 souls. Winnipeg has one of the largest urban Native American populations on the continent. 

The river walk is finally above water. The walk was submerged for most of the summer as river levels were higher than normal due to excessive rainfall.

Homelessness is a problem throughout North America. Winnipeg is no exception. This homeless camp popped on the riverbank.

No leash dog park along the river. The surface the hounds romp around on is artificial turf.

Giant mural 7 stories high on the Union Centre building.

In the annual post-flood days along the Assiniboine River in Winnipeg it is time for the cleanup. Almost every year the river floods in the spring. Water inundates the scenic river walk leaving mud and debris. But the cleanup crews are diligent and it will be user friendly very soon.

Soon it will look like this.