Official publication of the Manitoba Conservation Districts Association 2014 Edition
Water Management In Action
The Urban-Rural Connection
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I’ve found my research to be consistently challenging. It requires patience, observation, humility, and imagination. Blyss Pickering, Biology Honours Student
Research that Matters. Meet Blyss. Her innovative research focuses on the assessment of the ecological health of the riparian forest; this ecosystem plays an essential role in flood mitigation and erosion control. The riparian forest is changing and her research will provide baseline data on its ecological integrity and an evaluation of how the people of Brandon feel about this area. Brandon University offers programs in the environmental sciences, life sciences, rural development, emergency management and more. It all matters and it’s all here.
BrandonU.ca/Science
In This Issue From the Minister of Conservation and Water Stewardship.................................... 5 From the Chair of the Manitoba Conservation Districts Association........................ 6 Designing Recreation into Conservation Minded Projects...................................... 7 Infrastructure CD Managing Water Drainage AND Retention................................. 8 Community Hub Goes “Au Natural”…To Showcase a Manitoba Tall Grass Prairie ������������ 9 North Dakota Association of Soil Conservation Districts and Lincoln-Oakes Nursery �������� 10 Members Passed....................................................................................................11
Designing Recreation into Conservation Minded Projects Pg. 7
Looking to Combat Water Erosion Upstream........................................................ 13 Who’s at the Helm?............................................................................................... 14 Pelly’s Lake Watershed Management Area Kicking Off Construction In Style �������� 15 Starting the Conversation...................................................................................... 16 Good Vibrations..................................................................................................... 17 Growing Forward 2 Supports Surface Water......................................................... 19 District and Municipal Partnerships....................................................................... 20
Starting the Conversation Pg. 16
Joubert Creek Project a Success, Protecting Water Near The Farm.................... 21 Holding Back the Floodwaters............................................................................... 22 Conservation Auction - A New Approach in Watershed Programming.................. 23 Controlling Surface Water with Infrastructure........................................................ 25 Student’s in Water Stewardship Action.................................................................. 26 What Have We Been Up To?................................................................................. 27 A Renewed Approach to Shale Management........................................................ 28 The Beginnings of a Basin Approach.................................................................... 30
The Current is published annually as the official publication of Manitoba Conservation Districts Association. It features editorials from many of the 18 Conservation Districts within Manitoba. Edited by Shane Robins, Executive Director Printing by the Manitoba Co-operator Enquiries can be submitted to info@mcda.ca, 204.570.0164, Manitoba Conservation Districts Association, Unit 4, 940 Princess Ave., Brandon, MB R7A 0P6. www.mcda.ca For permission to reproduce any material in The Current please contact MCDA.
What Have We Been Up To? Pg. 27
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Unless indicated otherwise, or as part of an advertorial, all photos have been provided courtesy of the Conservation Districts.
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How to Contact Us •
The Pas
Kelsey
Swan Lake •
Swan River
•
Conservation District
Manager
Office Location
Office Number
Alonsa
Shawn Gurke
Alonsa
(204) 767-2101
Assiniboine Hills
Neil Zalluski
Baldur
(204) 535-2139
Cooks Creek
Colin Gluting
Bird’s Hill/Oakbank
(204) 777-2223
East Interlake
Armand Belanger
Gimli
(204) 642-7578
Intermountain
Jeff Thiele
Ethelbert
(204) 742-3764
Kelsey
Shawn Sexsmith
The Pas
(204) 623-3353
La Salle Redboine
Justin Reid
Holland
(204) 526-2578
Lake of the Prairies
Adam Kerkowich
Inglis
(204) 564-2388
Little Saskatchewan River
Colleen Cuvelier
Oak River
(204) 566-2270
Pembina Valley
Cliff Greenfield
Manitou
(204) 242-3267
Seine Rat River
Jodi Goerzen
La Broquerie
(204) 424-5845
Swan Lake Watershed
Brent Erlendson
Swan River
(204) 734-9550
Turtle Mountain
Yasemin Keeler
Deloraine
(204) 747-2530
Turtle River Watershed
Bobby Bennett
Ste. Rose du Lac
(204) 447-2139
Upper Assiniboine River
Ryan Canart
Miniota
(204) 567-3554
West Interlake Watershed
Linda Miller
Lundar
(204) 762-5850
West Souris River
Dean Brooker
Reston
(204) 877-3020
Whitemud Watershed
Chris Reynolds
Neepawa
(204) 476-5019
Ethelbert
Intermountain
•
•
Inglis
Lake of the Prairies
Riding Mountain National Park
Little Saskatchewan
Upper Assiniboine •
Alonsa
Miniota
•
Oak River
Ste. Rose du Lac
Turtle River
•
Alonsa
•
Lundar
West Interlake
East Interlake •
Gimli
Whitemud
Neepawa •
•
Winnipeg
Brandon •
West Souris
• •
•
Deloraine
Turtle Mountain 4
La Salle - Redboine
Assiniboine Hills
Reston
The Current 2014
Oakbank
Cooks Creek
Holland
•
La Broquerie
Seine - Rat
Baldur
•
Manitou
Pembina Valley
From the Minister of Conservation and Water Stewardship
I
would like to congratulate the Manitoba Conservation Districts Association for organizing and hosting the upcoming 39th Annual Conservation Conference. The conference theme, “Water Management in Action - The Urban-Rural Connection” speaks to the many projects and partnerships that conservation districts have established across our watersheds. Our watersheds span across all landscapes and communities-- rural and urban. Conservation districts play a vital role in bringing all communities together by identifying opportunities to better manage our water. As the water planning authorities for locally led integrated watershed management plans, conservation districts identify goals and objectives for land and water management across jurisdictional boundaries; coordinating programs and projects that collectively improve the health of our watersheds. While there is more to be done to integrate urban communities into conservation districts, we continue to see the benefit of programs that conservation districts have fostered such as programs to protect drinking water, use water more efficiently, manage storm water runoff, and develop green spaces. Projects such as water soft paths, rain gardens, and community tree
planting are just a few examples of how conservation districts have extended their programming into urban areas. Education and awareness is a key aspect of conservation district programming, and CDs have developed partnerships with community schools of all levels to educate our youth about the importance of maintaining healthy watersheds. Through initiatives such as Water Festivals, community youth gardening and the expanding River Watch Program, CDs are helping to create a new generation of environmental stewards in both rural and urban areas. It is important for Manitobans to recognize the connectivity of our watersheds; rural and urban activities on the land are woven together by a network of streams, rivers and lakes that link all of our communities together. We must all work together to realize positive change for a healthy landscape. Once again, congratulations in organizing the upcoming conference. Best wishes for a successful event again this year. Honourable Gord Mackintosh, Minister of Conservation and Water Stewardship
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From the Chair of the Manitoba Conservation Districts Association
F
rom Saskatoon to Guelph and all across Manitoba, the MCDA has been busy representing the Conservation Districts(CD’s) and spreading the word of the good work that is happening on the landscape. Whether you follow us on Facebook, Twitter or have seen articles in the news, you will know that the message is clear and the CD’s are getting the recognition for the great work they do. We focused on urban engagement by hosting two water festivals in popular shopping malls in Winnipeg. They provided us an opportunity not only to educate the youth but speak to adults about watershed issues and what the CD’s are doing to address them. Both events were very successful and we received great media coverage. We have been at the table with policy and decision makers many times being the voice of our CD members. In 2014, water certainly has been top of mind for many in our province. As we battled the rising water in the Assiniboine Basin and endured another flood of record, I was reminded of Robert Sanford’s words on climate change, “Extreme weather events and the new normal”. Those that thought we would never see another flood like we had in 2011 were proven wrong and now believe this is the new normal. Just as our weather is changing, so to is the way we view watershed management. I commend our Province and Manitoba Conservation and Water Stewardship on release of the Surface Water Management Strategy(SWMS)and the proposed new Drainage Regulations. The SWMS and Drainage Regulations will prove to be valuable tools to plan and implement change within our watershed. It has been recognized for some time that the Assiniboine River has needed “a basin wide” approach for water management. The Prairie Improvement Network and the Red River Basin
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Commission held a meeting in October of 2013 and brought together a group of interested stakeholders, which I attended on behalf of MCDA. As a result of that meeting, the Assiniboine River Basin Initiative ARBI was launched. Since the basin also encompasses the Souris River Basin, and the Qu’Appelle River Basin our group has grown to include many organizations from Saskatchewan, North Dakota, and Manitoba. In the past year, the ARBI has had 2 mini workshops and a meeting in Minot as well as many conference calls. We continue to consult with stakeholders as we form the structure of this new organization. It is well recognized that the strength of the grassroots knowledge of the CD’s and Watershed Districts in all jurisdictions will be key to establishing local priorities and goals for the basin. Much work goes on behind the scenes to keep MCDA running smoothly; I would like to thank our Executive Director Shane Robins, the MCDA Board and the CD staff for all their assistance. I would especially like to thank past Chair Murray Seymour for the work he has done on MCDA’s behalf as part of the steering committee working on the proposed Drainage Regulations. When I stepped into this role, it was easy to see he had been a strong voice for the CD’s. All of the stakeholders that came together to draft the new regulations have done an excellent job at creating regulations that have the potential to set the bar and make Manitoba a leader for others to follow. In closing, on behalf of MCDA Board and Staff, I would like to extend best wishes to all of the Conservation Districts for continued success. I know that the future of our watersheds are in good hands. Sincerely, Heather Dalgleish Chair of the Manitoba Conservation Districts Association
Assiniboine Hills Conservation District
Designing Recreation into Conservation Minded Projects Neil Zalluski, Manager of Assiniboine Hills Conservation District
T
he Assiniboine Hills Conservation District (AHCD) along with its partners sees the benefits of encompassing project sites into recreational areas. A site along the Willow Creek just south of PR 457 was noticed to be experiencing severe erosion. The inclusion of the City of Brandon into the Conservation District Program allowed the AHCD to conduct mitigation measures on the bank and prevent any further erosion from happening. A site analysis was conducted. Looking at aerial photos, other possible erosion sites were identified and investigated to see which site needed work. In speaking with the landowner about the site he mentioned that the area is heavily used for fishing and wanted to try and keep it that way. In planning our design for site, we kept in mind the landowners comments and designed a new bank and shelf that would lend itself to help with reducing the erosion but also provide a recreational spot. We took the original eroded bank and cut it back to a 3:1 slope. We then needed the producer to realize that he would be losing a little bit of land in order for us to complete the project which he understood. The bank was too long for a high hoe to reach to the bottom and work safely from the top. We had to create a bench halfway up the bank to enable the machine to work down by the water’s edge. We also incorporated that bench into the fishing site. The area is perfect for pitching a lawn chair and trying your luck. We then armored the bank. With the help of Assiniboine Community College Land & Water Management students, we laid down erosion control blankets with seed underneath. The seed will grow through the blanket to give the site a natural appearance.
The project site on the Willow Creek; located east of Brandon south of Veterans Way, shows how Conservation Districts and landowners can work together to mitigate issues and incorporate recreational opportunities into project design and implementation.
Working with our partners to provide hands on learning opportunities for students!
scecoinstitute.com
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Cooks Creek Conservation District
Infrastructure CD Managing Water Drainage AND Retention Colin Gluting, Manager of Cooks Creek Conservation District
A
s is always within the Cooks Creek CD, maintaining the extensive drainage system continues to be a priority and a challenge. As many of the district’s projects are long term, we were able to progress in a number of them over the last year. Several years ago, the RM of Springfield had observed that the Edie Creek system seemed to be causing local flooding and damage to adjacent lands and infrastructure. A hydraulic assessment deemed that the Creek had the capacity for the drainage area, however the majority of the crossings were undersized. 21 of the 25 crossings along the system required an upgrade. The RM has been the lead for the project and main contributor. Beginning in 2010 the RM and CD began replacing crossings as funding would allow. The crossings have all been upgraded. The development of retaining water within the system was also examined. Three areas were found particularly efficient for it. he RM and CD constructed the first project in 2010, Two more projects were completed in the years following. The retention areas hold 97 acre feet, 235 acre feet, and 267 acre feet respectively. The District is moving along with the Station Road Drain reconstruction project. The current phases of the project has the District working through a ridge in the landscape. To reconstruct 1 mile, the District has to move approx 45,000 cubic meters of earth. As the amount of material to move increases, so does the price. Each mile costs approximately $250,000. While the price is high, so is the return. The District will drop the water surface profile in the drain by approx one meter, greatly improving the drainage system for both rural residents and producers. Over the span of 7 years the District has spent over 1 million dollars on the project. In this time the District has received additional funding from the RMs of Tache and Springfield, MB Hydro, federal and provincial governments. The CCCD continues to rely on partnerships with RMs to get more bang for their buck. New to 2014 is a drain and road reconstruction project in Springfield that allows both parties to provide improved service to the residents of the Cooks Creek
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Watershed. The area has been prone to flooding for several years, and the municipal road adjacent to the District drain has seen better days. Due to the Growing Forward 2 program, the CCCD was able to complete phase 1 of a grassed waterway project. The project is 1 mile in length and will reduce soil erosion and nutrient transfer into Lake Winnipeg. In 2013, the CCCD constructed the waterway and prepared the site for seeding. The CCCD has seeded the waterway in 2014 as phase 2 within the GF2 program. This funding was very important to the Cooks Creek CD. The District is in the process of completing the Cooks Devils Integrated Watershed Management Plan. Members of Tache, Springfield, East St. Paul, St. Clements, Brokenhead, Peguis First Nation, and Water Stewardship have had several meetings with the public to determine the demands and priorities of the watershed. The District recently hosted a watershed tour with stakeholders to discuss future watershed developments, as well as some successes that members of the group have achieved. CCCD continues to partner with the Seine Rat River CD, municipalities of Reynolds, Ste. Anne, and Tache on the Salmon Lake Retention project.
East Interlake Conservation District
Community Hub Goes “Au Natural”… To Showcase a Manitoba Tall Grass Prairie Armand Belanger, Manager of East Interlake Conservation District
L
ess than 1% of original tall grass prairie currently exists in Manitoba; so when the opportunity came to showcase this intricate ecosystem in an urban setting, the East Interlake Conservation District jumped at the chance to partner with the new Gaynor Family Regional Library to help build a tall grass interpretive trail on their new grounds. Located in Selkirk, the Gaynor Family Regional Library is a new multi-purpose hub for the entire community. It houses a library, a Planning District office and chambers, meeting space for community groups, a local independent café, and now a native tall grass prairie with plans of an interpretive trail and outdoor classroom. This new $5.6 million project was a group effort between the Province, the community, and nearby municipalities. The Gaynor Family also donated $1.5 million, which is why the building bears their name. This library, Planning District and community hub will serve the nearby communities of Selkirk, St. Andrews, St. Clements, West St. Paul, East St. Paul, and Dunnottar. The new building itself is a pillar of green technologies with features such as a complete geothermal heating and cooling system, locally sourced materials, ceilings made from reclaimed ash, carpeting from recycled materials, reused shelving from a closed bookstore, and reclaimed glass for the quartz-composite counters. And now the library has partnered with the East Interlake Conservation District to help make the building’s grounds just as “green” as the building itself. The landscaping plan includes a sedge meadow bioswale that will collect runoff from the surrounding area, parking lot, and building’s roof. The bioswale is a gently sloped shallow drainage course which will hold runoff in it for as long as possible to remove silt and pollution from surface runoff water. The existing soil has been given a boost from some natural compost generously donated by a cattle producer from the Arnes area and has be seeded with 50 species of natural vegetation that was all hand collected and hand grown. This will help restore a native prairie ecosystem that is globally endangered. John Morgan, President of Prairie Habitats Inc. (the company that seeded the project), emphasized the importance of this project: “It’s a small part, but this couple acres is two acres more than we had before, and with only a few thousand acres left in Manitoba, it’s a very significant contribution to an
endangered ecosystem. And here, because of it being a centre for people to come from the community, it’s a great learning opportunity, so it’s unique.” A large expanse of windows with ample reading space overlooks the new naturalized Manitoba prairie. There will be outdoor reading space and an interpretive trail incorporated into the design to encourage enjoyment of the space. Having a naturalized space in the city will provide a unique outdoor learning opportunity. “We can’t expect people to be concerned about something if they don’t know anything about it and they’ve never seen it. In a prairie you can’t drive by at 60mph and say ‘Oh, well that looks nice’. I mean, you have to get out and walk through it and take some time” says John Morgan. The new building and naturalized grounds will be a beautiful place for the community to interact, share, and learn. It will be an example of what is possible when a community comes together to build a brighter future. WWW.MCDA.CA
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North Dakota Association of Soil Conservation Districts and Lincoln-Oakes Nursery by James Cart
G
reetings from the North Dakota Association of Soil Conservation Districts (NDASCD). We thought it may be helpful for all to consider exploring some cross-border sharing of conservation ideas and practices. Thus this article. By way of introduction, the NDASCD is a nonprofit corporation consisting of 55 member soil conservation districts in North Dakota, represented by a 10 member Board of Directors elected from across the state. This provides a good balance among the various environmental regions of the State. The NDASCD promotes cooperation among Districts, with other conservation minded partners, and with State and Federal agencies charged with soil, water and other natural resources responsibilities. We also provide a representative on the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) Board of Directors. Daily operational functions are conducted by our Chief Executive Officer and office staff. The NDASCD is unique among state conservation associations in that we operate a nursery for the purpose of providing conservation grade woody plant stock to conservation districts and other nurseries in North Dakota, several other states and Canada. With the unfortunate closing of the Federal nursery at Indian Head, Saskatchewan, our Lincoln-Oakes Nursery, located at Bismarck, North Dakota, may be an alternative source for plant species that are well suited to the northern climatic zones.
A portion of the nursery grounds at Lincoln (Bismarck, ND) with the Missouri River in the background for which the Government of Canada has, to date, not authorized import permits. We welcome cross-border communications, whether for institutional issues or for sourcing conservation plant materials. We maintain an Association website at www.ndascd.org and a nursery website at www.lincolnoakes.com. Association Chief Executive Officer Brian Johnston and Nursery Manager Bill Elhard may be reached through the respective website contact information.
NDASCD took over operation of the nursery in 1953 when the U. S. Department of Agriculture discontinued all nurseries operated under the former U. S. Soil Conservation Service. The facility is located on 355 acres immediately southeast of Bismarck. Co-located on the grounds is the USDA Plant Materials Center that provides research and development of new varieties and adaptations of other species for northern zones. The Lincoln-Oakes Nursery is focused on providing quality stock of cold hardy plant materials for conservation, wildlife and restoration plantings. Most production is of bare-root, 12 to 24 inch material. Over 80 species of trees and shrubs are grown annually, including linden, bur oak, mountain ash, caragana, cottonwood, dogwood, lilac, maples, willows, buffaloberry, cranberry, and juneberry (Saskatoonberry), among others. All of these and numerous others may be shipped to Canada. Some, including Hawthorne (Crataegus), Green Ash (Fraxinus), Oak (Quercus), and Willow (Salix) require import permits which may increase the time between order placement and shipping authorization. There are certain fruit bearing trees/shrubs including crabapple (Malus), cherries/plum (Prunus) and pear (Pyrus) 10
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• Providing cold hardy northern trees and shrubs for conservation districts and wholesale nurseries. • Producing over 80 varieties of seedlings and shrubs. • Experience working with and shipping to Canadian entities.
3310 University Drive Bismarck, ND 58504 Telephone: (701) 223 - 8518
www.ndascd.org www.lincolnoakes.com kathy@lincolnoakes.com
A Tribute to Conservation District Members Passed
This page is dedicated to the many passionate members from our Conservation Districts who have passed away. We honor these individuals for their vision, leadership and as integral contributors to the very foundation of the CD’s. Assiniboine Hills Conservation District: Jack Boake Jim Lockhart
Upper Assiniboine River Conservation District: Gerald Shier
Intermountain Conservation District: Mike & Ellen Wozniczka Josie Bobinski Walter Rutka
Pembina Valley Conservation District: Don Alexander Gerald Badiou Robert Creith Nick Didkowski Henk Jonk George McLean Lorne Sierens Larry Van Cauwenberghe Keith Wallcraft
Little Saskatchewan River Conservation District: Elmer Schafer Dick MacDonald Leo Woywada Rodger Mawer Tony Novalkowski Mike Geletchuk Larry Robertson Abe Wiebe East Interlake Conservation District: Richard (Dick) Cain
West Interlake Watershed Conservation District: Lance Kennedy Donna Tataryn West Souris River Conservation District: Perry Hendry
Turtle River Watershed Conservation District: Ron Brook Leonard Kristjanson Ron Oversby Joe Vandepoele Roland Thompson Lloyd Christensen Herman Schroeder Marc Rath Martin Luke Bill Floyde Dean Allan Turtle Mountain Conservation District: Sidney Ransom Don Millar Jack Millions Bob Richards Carl Bjarnason Ervin Neufeld Bert Barwick Lloyd Bolduc Ken Sunaert Roger Goethals Murray Dillabough Archie VanDeveire
Supporting Our Communities
Harriet McColl Cliff Snyder Doug Morrison Arthur Schoonbaert Tom Hainsworth Rollie Dietrich Russ Morden Roger Vanhantsaeme Russ Millard Arnold Gustafson Henry Voth Fred Musgrove Jay Ryan Frazer Johnston Ed Dow William Eaket Allan Shareski Ernie Noble Jim Dando Tom English Ross Dujardin Sig Nestibo Miles Phillips Dr. Bonar Valere Andries Howard Hartel Theodore Nestibo Mac Corbett
Roger Kentner Barry Dickson Bill Brigden Harry Janz Alec Dring Eddie Clark Bill Poole Scottie Webster Whitemud Watershed Conservation District: Carl Berquist Ross Bray Ray Davidson Harold Fetterly Doug Foreman Henry Kolesar Roy McConnell James McDonald Glenn Montgomery Lorne Nickart Minnie Parynuik Art Scora Einar Sigurdson Mel Weiss
Virden 204-748-3095
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Intermountain Conservation District
Looking to Combat Water Erosion Upstream Jeff Thiele, Manager of the Intermountain Conservation District
W
hen I started with PFRA as a Soil Conservation Technician in the mid-1980’s at Dauphin, I quickly learned that wind erosion and water erosion were both major problems in the Parkland area of Manitoba. Many spring days were black with blowing dust, and rivers and creeks ran brown during heavy run-off events from the sloping lands adjacent to the Riding and Duck Mountains. While I am happy to report that we have made major progress since that time in reducing wind erosion, we still have a long way to go in reducing the amount of water erosion. We may even have lost ground. While some of the shelterbelts I helped plant 25 years ago in the area have been removed, advances in seeding equipment and other technologies over the years have enabled farmers to leave more crop residue on their fields after seeding. This residue from the previous year’s crop protects the soil against major wind events that often come right after seeding and before the new crop provides cover. We now rarely see the large wind erosion events like in the past, and if we do it is usually on fields that have had low residue crops the previous year.
As I commented earlier, I believe we are losing ground with the fight against water erosion. The article background photo is of a wheat field falling into a new river channel which was cut through a cultivated field this spring. We estimate that over 50 hopper-car loads of soil are on their way to Lake Winnipeg from this one site alone. Although the spring of 2014 was not a high runoff year, our office in Ethelbert continues to receive calls regarding newly eroded sites on a weekly basis, which if all were to be repaired would cost many times more than our annual budget. And each and every year, our local municipalities have to deal with many culvert and road washouts. So, what has changed? Why are we getting so many calls about newly water-eroded sites? Why do existing channels seem overwhelmed with the water flows they are receiving, even in “normal” years? There are many theories on why this is now happening, and we can all share some blame, but what is the Intermountain Conservation District’s plan to address the water erosion problem? I learned in a course several years ago that for every two time increase in velocity of water, there is a four time increase in power of water to erode, and a subsequent sixty four time increase in the ability of water to transport sediment and nutrients. This is huge! And keep in mind the problems that result from these large sediment and nutrient loads flowing downstream towards Lake Dauphin or Lake Winnipegosis, and then onto Lake Winnipeg. This is why the Board of Intermountain CD is looking at being proactive and reallocating some funding from fixing erosion damages, to trying to prevent the erosion damage before
it happens. If we can slow down some water in upstream retention areas to dissipate its energy for just a few days before it comes rushing down, we can start progressing towards a long-term solution to our water erosion problem. As such, the Board is implementing a five-part strategy to slow down the water velocities within the watershed: 1) Literature review summary of existing and proposed water retention sites within our area 2) Targeting and engineering of priority water retention sites 3) Construction of priority water retention sites 4) Increasing water utilization, in-crop component 5) Public education and awareness regarding benefits of increasing water retention upstream Intermountain CD will be moving forward on this strategy as funding allows. The literature review is progressing well, and we have started the public awareness component with a 2013 tour of the Deerwood area in south-central Manitoba, where many water retention sites have been successfully implemented. We then had the manager of the Deerwood project, Don Cruikshanks, up to speak at our 2014 annual banquet. And in May 2014, we were fortunate to have Dr. Gordon Goldsborough, Aquatic Scientist from the University of Manitoba, up to Dauphin to present on the topic of “Water Management in Manitoba”. In the future we will also be looking to work with landowners on cropping options to increase the in-crop utilization of water, before it runs off the field into a waterway. We are also compiling information so we can construct our first priority water retention site. This will be a valuable demonstration project, so that we can show that what works in Deerwood, MB, will also work in this area of Manitoba. The Intermountain Conservation District looks forward to combatting our water erosion problem upstream, before the erosion damages happen!
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Kelsey Conservation District
Who’s at the Helm?
Shawn Sexsmith, Manager of Kelsey Conservation District
A
s the saying goes “the only constant is change”, first recorded in a book written by ancient Greek philosopher Heraclitus who lived around 500 BC, this saying can still be applied to the landscape that we live in today. Change is all around us and we don’t have to look very hard to see it. Some changes are positive, some negative. Kelsey Conservation District recognizes the positive changes to the landscape and strives to develop programming that addresses the negative changes that are occurring. Who better to identify watershed issues than the people who live within that same watershed? Conservation Districts are driven by local people that make their living and spend every day within their watershed; they see firsthand the changes that are occurring. Some of these changes occur quickly, within a matter of days or months and other changes occur over years or decades. Having the local knowledge and the ability to tap into this resource is what makes Conservation Districts so successful, unique and stand out from any other organization operating within Manitoba. Kelsey Conservation District offers a host of programs that directly benefit the local watershed that are similar to other Conservation Districts within Manitoba. However by listening to and responding to concerns of the local people, Kelsey Conservation District has developed and implemented several exclusive programs that are having a positive impact on soil and water quality. Some of the local
programs offered only through Kelsey Conservation District include: soil testing, fertilizer trials, soybean plots, manure management and extended winter livestock grazing. These unique programs offered through Kelsey Conservation District may not be practical to other areas of the province; they were initiated by local people that identified a concern in the watershed. The Conservation District was able to quickly respond to these concerns and implement programs that have a positive influence to soil and water quality within the watershed. By operating in this manner for the past 14 years, positive changes have been made to our watershed; surface water quality has improved, riparian areas no longer have exposed soil, less agricultural fertilizer is being applied to fields and spring runoff from wintering livestock has been significantly reduced. Perhaps one of the most significant changes that has occurred at Kelsey Conservation District over the past 14 years is that when a change to the watershed occurs that is viewed as negative, the local watershed residents turn to their local Conservation District for practical solutions.
West Souris River Conservation District www.wsrcd.com
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MMSM 14
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La Salle Redboine Conservation District
Pelly’s Lake Watershed Management Area Kicking Off Construction In Style Justin Reid, Manager of La Salle Redboine Conservation District
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fter 10 long years of discussions, debates, and planning, the day of action finally arrived! The La Salle Redboine CD’s Pelly’s Lake Watershed Management Project officially reached the construction stage with the signing of the last Conservation Agreement. With that last signature, 750 acres of wetland and riparian area became protected under agreements with LSRBCD and Manitoba Habitat Heritage Corporation, and the construction stage of Phase 1 of the project could begin. Phase 1 of the Pelly’s Lake Watershed Management Project involves many different aspects that focus mainly on the downstream portion of the project area. These include the construction of a large water retention structure and construction of an educational park overlook, complete with nature trail, which will be possible due to funding from Environment Canada through the Lake Winnipeg Basin Stewardship Fund, as well as on the ground inkind support from the Rural Municipality of Victoria. Also as a part of Phase 1, cattail harvesting trials will be shovel full of dirt at a Ground Breaking Ceremony held on May 30, 2014.
carried out in partnership with the International Institute for Sustainable Development with the goal of creating a sustainable source of bio fuel for a local Hutterite Colony to use as a replacement for coal. A water sampling program has begun with funding from the Lake Winnipeg Foundation to create a ‘pre-construction’ water quality baseline that will be compared to the water quality of the reservoirs once construction is complete. Project partners, dignitaries and local residents all came out to help celebrate as the Honourable Gord Mackintosh, Minister for Conservation & Water Stewardship, and Roy Wood, La Salle Redboine CD Chairman, moved the first
Pelly’s Lake is 630 acres of historical lake and wetland area located in southern Manitoba, just southeast of Holland. Due to its location, Pelly’s Lake is an important area in terms of watershed health, as it sits at the headwaters of the Boyne River, a waterway which flows west through Stephenfield Lake towards the town of Carman.
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Little Saskatchewan River Conservation District
Starting the Conversation
Colleen Cuvelier, Manager of the Little Saskatchewan River Conservation District
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o matter what the topic, starting a conversation with a person or a group of people can be difficult. If both parties are interested in the topic, the dialogue flows freely. However, if the party initiating the discussion is trying to sell a topic to the other party, a conversation can be a challenge. A tool, such as equipment or an event, are ways to engage people in a topic unfamiliar to them. This past year, the Little Saskatchewan River Conservation District acquired a River Watch kit to engage watershed residents in conversations about their watershed. The journey to getting the kit began when a group of interested school teachers met with LSRCD members for a presentation from Kent Lewarne, Program Coordinator with the South Central Eco Institute. The results from the presentation were positive and so began the search for funding to purchase the kit. The LSRCD was successful in receiving two grants, totalling $4000, to purchase the River Watch kit; $2000 from the Lake Winnipeg Foundation and $2000 from WWF Canada’s Loblaw Water Fund. With the kit in hand, the next step was to give those teachers interested in using the equipment an opportunity to try it out and determine how it best fit into the courses and classes they were teaching. From this initial engagement, teachers from Strathclair Community School, Erickson Collegiate, Rivers Collegiate, and Rapid City Elementary committed to the River Watch program. The geographical distribution of those schools has allowed for the collection of data from all areas of the Little Saskatchewan River Watershed. Using the River Watch protocol, the same exact procedure is used each time, no matter who is doing the collection. River Watch has all users speaking the same language when it comes to completing water related scientific research in the field. This means that the results from the sampling can be compared.
Photo: Cindy Murray
LSRCD Manager Colleen Cuvelier lowers the Van Dorne horizontal water sampler into Clear Creek as tour participants look on. During the spring of 2014, Erickson Collegiate students were to three sites along the Rolling River. Two sites have been established on the Little Saskatchewan River. Strathclair students collected data at Elphinstone and Rapid City students at Rapid City. Data collected is posted on the South Central Eco Institute website. The data is available to the students who collected it, as well as other people interested in the watershed. The observations made during a site visit describe current and past weather, chemical characteristics of the water, physical attributes of the water way and associated riparian area, and other water observations such as clarity, recreational suitability, and appearance. Recently, the LSRCD hosted a tour for the public, municipal partners, and LSRCD Board and sub-district members. Following the tour, Doreen Stapleton, a Councillor with the Rural Municipality of Harrison had this to say about the program “The information collected is in a format that is easily understood by the general public.” The District is proud to belong to the River Watch family along with many of the other Conservation Districts within Manitoba.
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Lake of the Prairies Conservation District
Good Vibrations
Adam Kerkowich, Manager of the Lake of the Prairies Conservation District
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’m going to start out by clearing the air, this isn’t an in-depth look at the early 90’s hit by Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch; instead I’m going to touch base on relationships between conservation districts and their partners. We have a multitude of partners to work with, not just in the Lake of the Prairies Conservation District but throughout all CD’s. When the word partners is mentioned most people tend to think of only two groups, RM’s/Towns and the Province. These are two important partners, as without them we would not have the funding to exist. Other groups and organizations play a big role in the CD program. I plan to talk about each group individually, as they are unique in their own way. We get a lot of exposure courtesy of the Manitoba Conservation Districts Association through tours, paper ads, magazine articles, and events which are held all over the province. The MCDA is a voice for all Conservation Districts. The exposure they give us helps to further the awareness of Conservation Districts. It allows the public to see who we are and what we do. Outside of partners who directly fund us, we have other environmental organizations that cost share projects. These groups tend to have similar goals and mandates as us. Just as an example, some of these groups are Nature Conservancy Canada, Ducks Unlimited Canada, Manitoba Habitat Heritage Corporation, and Manitoba Agriculture Food and Rural Development. These are just a few examples of organizations LPCD has partnered with on projects. Other CD’s may deal more with other organizations depending on their area.
LPCD Water Festival Sponsored by RBC Our most successful programs because of this are abandoned well sealing, as well as well shock chlorination. As you can see our partners reach a large audience, with all these individuals comes a lot of communication. All these groups help to fund us, create a name for us, find us projects, educate the public, and of course finally deliver programming. All five of these steps give us the ability to effectively implement our programs. LPCD is very fortunate to have a cooperative group of partners; we hope this continues for many more years to come.
Often schools are over looked as partners to the CD Program. A lot of educational information is shared with school kids. This helps to shed light on problems faced by our organization. Creating awareness on soil and water health at a young age can help with future programming, as some day these kids will grow up to be stewards of the land themselves. We offer this information through classroom visits, guest speakers, and hands on events such as water festivals. Landowners are also key components to the program. Without their support, our efforts would not be possible. It is more then just working directly with them however; they bring a lot more to the table. The input they give us allows us to evaluate program delivery and what will be both beneficial to the landowner as well as the environment. Their word of mouth is also something very valuable to our efforts. Everyone has a neighbour and if we implement something that helps their operation and our mandate they are likely to share that with a neighbour. Specific programming can really take off this way. WWW.MCDA.CA
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Pembina Valley Conservation District
Growing Forward 2 Supports Surface Water Submitted by Bruce Weir from the Pembina Valley Conservation District
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he Manitoba Escarpment is a dominant geographic feature running north-westerly throughout the Pembina Valley Conservation District. This large remnant of a violent and catastrophic geographic past is a hill that drops 600 feet in 11 miles and presents a challenge for managing surface water. The Bruce Weir is an example of a project that addresses surface water management issues in the District. This project was funded by a grant from the Growing Forward 2, Growing Assurance Ecological Goods and Services (GF2-GAEGS) program. This type of funding requires the District to partner with an agricultural producer to address a natural resource issue and result in an ecological good or service.
Erosion within the drain prior to weir construction PVCD worked with landowner Randy Bruce to stop the erosion on a manmade channel through his farm. The pictures tell the story of the problem initially created by the straightening of a channel and then after a large runoff the resultant erosion and then the follow-up activity of constructing weirs to fix the problem.
Pembina Escarpment members on a tour and looking at the newly completed weir The PVCD partnered with Randy Bruce, who is a Miami area grain and cattle producer that has a large waterway that traverses his property and gives him some grief in terms of flooding, erosion and sometimes leaving debris on his fields. This story starts in the headwaters of the Tobacco Creek. Tobacco Creek flows east and down the Manitoba Escarpment to the Red River. Erosion is a natural process and streams meander through a floodplain, dissipating energy, transporting, sorting and depositing sediments and moving water. Erosion is accelerated when we straighten channels and remove or abandon floodplains and this is where erosion protection measures, like weirs, have a place. Erosion control structures like the Bruce Weir are designed to flatten the slope of a channel so that the water moves off the land but leaves most of the sediment behind. When a channel is straightened it’s slope is increased and this speeds up water and increases the ability of the water to carry sediment and erode. Doubling the slope will increase the speed of the water by a factor of 4 and the sediment carrying ability by a factor of 64. With the help of the GF2-GAEGS program, the
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Swan Lake Watershed Conservation District
District and Municipal Partnerships Brent Erlendson, Manager of Swan Lake Watershed Conservation District
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he Swan Lake Watershed Conservation District has worked diligently with its municipal partners with knowledge transfer and activities/projects to show the value of the District and the municipal monetary contribution. The following was provided by Lorne Henkelman, Reeve of the RM of Swan River. The relationship that the Rural Municipality of Swan River has developed with the Swan Lake Watershed Conservation District has proven to be a very beneficial one from the RM’s perspective. Since the formation of the SLWCD in 2006, the partnership has resulted in a number of projects that have proven to be of significant value to both the RM and the CD as a whole. The CD has a proven track record of getting projects done on time and on budget. The CD, under the leadership of District Manager Brent Erlendson, has been a valuable resource in terms of providing technical advice and expertise. Going back a number of years, the CD was involved in the planning and environmental assessment work that needed to be completed prior to the construction of the Fox Bridge over the Roaring River in the Pretty Valley district of the RM. More recently, the CD has and continues to be an important partner with the RM in the development of a drainage plan in the RM’s rural residential area located directly to the west of the Town of Swan River. This particular drainage project is intended to solve significant drainage issues originating in an area that is approximately 20 square miles in size. Most recently, the CD has taken the lead role in a joint drainage project that was completed during the summer of 2013 on the border between the RM of Swan River and the RM of Minitonas to the mutual benefit of residents in both jurisdictions. In the fall of 2013, the CD undertook a water retention project in the 20
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Kenville district of the RM. This project is designed to slow the release of spring runoff and significant rainfall events into the municipal infrastructure, and if it functions as anticipated, will become a model for future similar projects in the RM. Once again, the CD took the lead role in the planning process, negotiating agreements with affected landowners as well as contracting and supervising the work on the project. During the early months of 2014, in partnership with RM, the CD constructed a fish passage on the low level ford crossing on the Swan River just to the south of the Swan River Golf and Country Club. This crossing is an important link for both agricultural and commercial traffic in the RM. This project involved not only the construction of a new fish passage, but also a complete rehabilitation of the decades old crossing including a new concrete road surface which will serve RM residents well for many more decades to come. Without a doubt, the RM of Swan River has benefited from their partnership with the SLWCD. The leadership of the CD has been instrumental in bringing together the current seven municipal partners that make up the Swan River Valley to work for the common good on initiatives that will benefit all of our residents long into the future. The District appreciates the partnership and working arrangement we presently have with our municipal partners and greatly appreciate the comments provided above by Lorne Henkelman, Reeve of the RM of Swan River. Districts are the landscape link between landowners and municipalities. When works are planned in coordination, surface water management and reduction of nutrient can be achieved at a reasonable cost, for the benefit of all involved.
Seine Rat River Conservation District
Joubert Creek Project a Success, Protecting water near the farm by Judy Peters, Courtesy of The Carillon News
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fter years of researching and learning about different methods of protecting the environment, a farm family has taken key steps to improve the quality of water running along Joubert Creek. The Heese Dairy Farm operates on both sides of the creek south of Grunthal. This is where the family has farmed for many years. Eric Heese, his father William, and his son Nick, live on the farm with their families and continue to operate the dairy farm as well as grow their own feed. For many years, the cows have grazed along the river bank and entered the water to cool off during hot summer days. As Eric learned more about manure management and the environment, he teamed up with the Seine-Rat River Conservation District for projects to protect the creek. They also partnered with Manitoba Conservation and Water Stewardship as well as Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Development. While deciding on the specifics of the project, the team kept its focus on the desired outcome; to maintain, protect and restore surface and ground water quality in the Red River Basin. The plan would also have to assist in managing urban and agricultural drainage systems to enhance productivity while minimizing impacts to others. Farming directly on the Joubert Creek has been a blessing to the farm, yet there have also been problems as the new regulations came into effect to protect water sources from livestock. Those changes were overwhelming for the farmers. Eric was encouraged by his son and business partner, Nick, to be persistent in finding a viable solution. The family had completed an environmental farm plan which opened up new areas of funding available through the SRRCD in partnership with the province. The Joubert Creek had already been identified as an area of riparian and water quality concern as a result of agricultural industry historically present on the creek. “With SRRCD water protection programs and priorities in place, the resulting riparian enhancement project was a winwin situation,” said district manager Jodi Goerzen. The Heese project enhanced the riparian area of the Joubert Creek by fencing off two miles of the creek, providing an alternative water source for the livestock on both sides of the creek and improving the creek crossing. This will reduce erosion, run-off, effluent and compaction to directly increase the health of the Joubert Creek. “If we can keep the water clean, why not work with the programs available,” said Eric. “Water is precious to us.”
Eric Heese stands along the bank of the Joubert Creek running through his farm. When the water recedes, there is a path specially created to allow for them to travel across the river bed rather than taking the long way around to cross at the bridge. The various layers of different types of rocks will protect the riverbed. The animals are still allowed into the creek area on occasion to keep the grass short. Eric likes being able to control their access to the creek, being able to prevent them from standing in the water which increases the amount of bacteria they pick up. “It was a good experience working on these projects. Working with Jodi was really good; she had a lot of ideas.” The operation invested significant funds into the projects that were also supported by grants. “We’re on the creek and we want to stay farming. My son is farming with me now and we’ll probably get bigger.” Eric encourages fellow farmers to take a closer look at the options available to help protect the land and water. He has noticed hesitation in the farming community. “People come out and they check the land and water… it can feel invasive, but it’s not like that. Think about it; we need good water quality. Sometimes it feels like farmers are targeted when it comes to the environment. Everybody should be trying to do something for the environment.” The dairy farm has 57 milking cows and the family farms 675 acres of land to supply their own feed. For an operation this size, it was a big step to find the funds necessary to complete these projects. “The Heeses are dedicated to the protection of their Joubert Creek,” said Goerzen. “They are truly a community role model in water quality protection and environmental farm management.” The SRCCD was confident that landowners along the creek would take action once they knew about the sensitivity and importance of their riparian areas. WWW.MCDA.CA
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Holding Back the Floodwaters Submitted by Ducks Unlimited Canada
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anitobans experienced record water levels in 2011, especially west of Winnipeg. Now just three years later, Manitobans witnessed another flood of record. It is time to recognize the change that past management practices like wetland drainage have caused to our watersheds. The 2011 experience was equalled and exceeded in some locations this year. Damage to communities was traumatic, as was the sight of hundreds of thousands of acres of farmland underwater. The loss of farm income is expected to be in the hundreds of millions of dollars. This hardship for farmers is not new, and never gets easier as this year’s losses only compound those of recent years past. There is no quick and easy answer to the repeat damages caused by excessive water and runoff. But even before this year’s flood, there was an understanding of the need to safeguard Manitobans.
Policy makers and scientists now agree that drained wetlands across the prairie pothole region play a significant role in making flooding worse. That’s why, when Gord Mackintosh, Minister of Conservation and Water Stewardship announced a new Surface Water Management Strategy on June 11, the announcement included proposed new regulations for wetland drainage. The proposed regulations will protect more than 1 ¼ million acres of certain classifications of wetlands, and put in place mitigation requirements for those that are permitted to be drained. This means that water will be held on the land and released at a slower, natural rate, instead of being sent downstream as quickly as possible where it can invoke damage onto others. “More producers are recognizing that there are times when water needs to be delayed from leaving their property,” says Doug Chorney, President of Keystone Agricultural Producers (KAP). Drainage of low spots and temporary wetlands is an important tool for farmers, and Chorney says that KAP
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supports the proposed regulations with the understanding that the process around this practice will become less burdensome. The regulations are aimed at turning around a gradual process that has been taking place over many years. This is an important change, according to Dr. John Pomeroy, director of the Centre for Hydrology at the University of Saskatchewan. Dr. Pomeroy’s team recently released a report that demonstrates the impacts of wetland drainage. Modelled in Smith Creek Basin, Sask, his research confirms that the elimination of natural storage ponds and marshes is a major factor in making flooding significantly worse. It shows that during the flood of 2011, complete drainage of the existing wetlands would have increased the 2011 flood peak by 78% and the yearly volume of streamflow by 32%. These alarming findings emphasize the need to take action. That is why Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) and other stakeholder groups are supporting the government’s proposed regulations, recognizing the need for landscape level protection of wetlands. “Southwestern Manitoba is currently losing more than 5,000 acres of wetlands every year,” says Scott Stephens, director of operations on the prairies for DUC. “An important first step to getting out of the hole we are in is to stop digging more ditches that drain wetlands.” Stephens says it’s important for Manitobans who have been affected by flooding to voice the need for better water management by endorsing the proposed regulations during the consultation phase (see www.gov.mb.ca/conservation/ waterstewardship/licensing/drainage). “The proposed regulations provide a fair and balanced approach that will protect many of the remaining threatened wetlands, and will ensure that the lost values, functions, and benefits of drained wetlands will be replaced,” says Stephens. “If we don’t start to address these challenges, the next flood will be worse and the negative impacts and costs to all Manitobans even greater.”
Turtle Mountain Conservation District
Conservation Auction - A New Approach in Watershed Programming Yasemin Keeler
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conservation auction is a unique event in which participating landowners place bids on the cost they will charge to provide ecological goods and services (EG&S). Like a conventional auction, people place bids on the price they are willing to accept for the goods and services they sell. The bids are then ranked based on the environmental benefit provided for the price of the bid. The goal is to get the maximum environmental benefits with the available budget. The Turtle Mountain Conservation District (TMCD) initiated the Whitewater Lake Sub-Watershed Conservation Auction Incentive Program in the winter (December 2013 to March 2014). The program builds on the Dennis Lake Conservation Auction Pilot Project in the Interlake region (February 2012 to March 2013). The goal of this program is to conserve land surrounding Whitewater Lake and increase EG&S in the area through the purchase or easement of private lands and the implementation of Beneficial Management Practices (BMPs). Environmental benefits from the auction will include water purification and quantity management, increased habitat for waterfowl and wildlife, biodiversity and carbon sequestration. Expanding human activity around the fluctuating perimeter of Whitewater Lake has resulted in the loss or reduction of EG&S and negatively affected local agriculture. Landowners within the Whitewater Lake Sub-Watershed took part in the voluntary auction by submitting bids for these types of incentives: • purchase of land (titles held by TMCD) • conservation agreements (made in perpetuity between the landowner, the Manitoba Habitat Heritage Corporation and TMCD) • implementation of BMPs (10-year agreements between landowner and TMCD), including construction of water storage, construction of salinity barriers, restoration of natural cover and forage establishment in sensitive areas The Whitewater Lake Sub-Watershed Conservation Auction received funding support through the Growing Assurance Program - Ecological Goods and Services under Growing Forward 2, a federal-provincial-territorial initiative. A total of $176,118 was awarded to landowners for bids submitted for EG&S incentives. Three conservation agreements and two land purchases were approved for lowland areas surrounding the lake.
A total of five beneficial management practice projects were also approved: •
one wetland enhancement and restoration of natural cover
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one water storage and restoration of natural cover
•
three water storage projects in the uplands of the Turtle Mountain area
“The Turtle Mountain Conservation District Board is pleased with the success of the auction and the benefits it provides to the sub-watershed. We are currently looking for additional funding to continue the program and promotion of EG&S within the Whitewater Lake sub-watershed,” says Greg More, TMCD Chairperson.
Alonsa Conservation District
www.alonsaconservationdistrict.com WWW.MCDA.CA
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Wetland drainage makes flooding worse Wetlands help reduce flooding by acting as sponges; holding water, then slowly releasing it back onto the land. Every time a wetland is drained, the land around it also drains, increasing the amount of water that flows into our streams and rivers. This makes flooding worse. Stopping wetland loss is an important solution to preventing even greater flooding and water quality problems in the future. The Province of Manitoba has recently proposed regulations that would protect our remaining wetlands, and in turn protect our land and all of us You can express your support for this important wetland policy at DWRRconsultation@gov.mb.ca
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The Current 2014
Turtle River Watershed Conservation District
Controlling Surface Water with Infrastructure Bobby Bennett, Manager of the Turtle River Watershed Conservation District
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he Turtle River Watershed Conservation District (TRWCD) often experiences high water events. These events ultimately cause problematic peak flows that in turn flood the landscape as well as yard sites. One of the areas that has been noted for high peak flow is the Hansen Creek between Highway 68 and the community of Ste. Amelie. Because of the high water issues at this location, the TRWCD has targeted areas upstream to reduce the peak runoff levels. TRWCD is one of the four Infrastructure Districts in Manitoba out of the eighteen current Conservation Districts. This means the district spends a high percentage of time and funding dealing with the maintenance of a balance of municipal and provincial infrastructure. Many of the areas bridges, culvert crossings, and drains are looked after by TRWCD to the best of our ability. This control over infrastructure is a unique way for a Conservation District to also maintain control over flow of surface water. While the speed in which water runs off private land isn’t always under the direct control of TRWCD, the infrastructure that this water utilizes often is. All over Manitoba, crossing most always constrict flow. The crossings control flow in high water events, lengthening the period of time runoff occurs. An unregulated system results in one big flush of water. Over the last several years, TRWCD has improved three low level crossings over a two miles stretch of the Hansen Creek. These improvements took the low level crossings from very minimal water control, as most of the water went directly over the whole crossing, to being built up significantly to allow the water to back up within the channel valley for hundreds of meters before being able to flow over the crossing. Regular flows will continue to flow under the crossing through culverts. This makes room in the channel for more water to be slowed for the next high water event. The larger crossings at these locations have improved the regulation of peak flows downstream and also improved the ability for traffic to pass over these crossings, without the requirement to drive through water. This stepping stone approach to slowing water in the upstream portions of the Hansen Creek has worked well for a local water management approach to reduce the peak flood levels. This process allows less water to travel down the creek during peak flow and stretches out the amount of time the creek will run at a medium level. More works will be required to keep
peak flood levels down within this area as well as others; but that is why conservations districts exist in Manitoba. TRWCD will continue to search for opportunities to control problematic flooding areas utilizing this unique control over surface water flows with infrastructure management in the future.
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Student’s in Water Stewardship Action South Central Eco Institute’s River Watch program - By Kent Lewarne
“
Student’s in Water Stewardship Action” is the motto of South Central Eco Institute’s River Watch program. Sponsored by Enbridge Inc, this water monitoring project is gaining momentum in Manitoba. Currently students in eight conservation districts collect and analyze water quality data.
This year the Seine Rat River CD and the Little Saskatchewan River CD have joined forces with SCEI and the existing CD’s (PVCD, AHCD, LSRBCD, TMCD, WSRCD, UARCD) to expand the monitoring area to a large area of the Lake Winnipeg watershed. Students use quality equipment to gather credible data about their watersheds. This data is uploaded to the SCEI Website and can be analyzed using the graphing tool. In addition, the student generated data will be compared to data from an accredited lab. This spring/summer over 65 sets of data were collected across southern Manitoba. Many of the schools have become regular “testers” and monitor the same site spring and fall with more schools on the way. Many of our partner CDs continue monitoring through the summer. This spring was the second annual “Upstream – Downstream Neighbours Day”. On May 28th, 2014, SCEI and the CD’s encouraged as many schools as possible to collect a set of data. It is our hope that schools will be able to look at their own data but also look at the data of their upstream and downstream neighbours
as all the data was collected at the same time. The message that “we are all connected” can then come across more clearly. This year, 11 sites participated by collecting data on or about May 28th. At SCEI, we encourage schools to test regularly but welcome any and all data collected. SCEI houses hundreds of sets of data, some historical data, but the majority of the data was generated by schools and conservation districts, working together to better understand the watershed. We hope our students will better understand the complex issues of watershed management and some of them may even consider making it a career. SCEI is very proud of the partnerships being fostered between students, teachers, schools and conservation districts as well as the government and NGO partners. A project such as this would not be possible without the collaboration and cooperation of great people and great organizations. Any schools or CDs that would like to explore the program are welcome to contact SCEI (scei@prspirit.ca) for more information or check out the website scecoinstitute.com.
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West Interlake Watershed Conservation District
What Have We Been Up To?
Linda Miller, Manager of West Interlake Watershed Conservation District
W
est Interlake Watershed Conservation District (WIWCD) welcomed the RM of Grahamdale as its newest member as of April 1, 2013. With the addition of the RM of Grahamdale (located between the RMs of Siglunes and Fisher at the northern extremity of the Interlake region), the WIWCD now counts a total of seven RMs, extending down to the northern part of the RM of Woodlands. First Water Days Festival A water festival, organized by the West Interlake Watershed Conservation District (WIWCD), with cooperation from the East Interlake Conservation District and Oak Hammock Marsh, was held at the Rubber Ducky Resort near Warren on June 4, 2013. Seventy-five Grades 1-5 students from Woodlands Elementary School attended in the morning followed by 83 Grades K-6 students from St. Laurent School in the afternoon. A water festival is intended to get students out of the classroom and into the outdoors where they learn about how important water is and how we must work together to care for this precious resource. The students went to seven stations that were set-up to demonstrate various aspects of water. At the stream table, students played with sand and flowing water to watch how moving water can change the landscape if not maintained properly. The critter dipping station gave students an opportunity to identify the bugs found in our waterways and learn what a key role they play in the ecology of our watersheds. At the sediment runoff simulator, students observed the final water quality in three different scenarios, demonstrating how soils, dirt or other particles can end up in water bodies after it rains or floods. Habitat, furs and watersheds stations were other stops where students experienced different animal features. At a food chain station, students made necklaces that illustrated who eats whom in the food chain. A water relay took place for some more fun. At the end, local children’s writer Joe McLellan shared his stories and understanding of the human spirit and our relationship with nature through his character, Nanabosho. The West Interlake Watershed Conservation District reapplied to the Fisheries Enhancement Fund for the Shoal Lake Study and has been approved for funding to conduct an Aquatic and
Riparian Habitat Assessment of Shoal Lakes and also to install nine spawning shoals. Many projects were completed from numerous studies initiated by the WIWCD, such as riparian fencing and off-site watering projects. Below are some highlights of WIWCD’s programming during 2013-2014: • • • • • • •
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Initiated three riparian improvement projects Purchased 3.2 kilometres of exclusion fencing Relocated two livestock dugouts Installed six off-site watering systems Visited 14 residences and sampled 14 wells Transported 20 water samples to a laboratory in Winnipeg Sealed eleven abandoned wells and extended casings on three wells Sold or donated 64 composters and 72 rain barrels Provided eleven low-flow toilet rebates Re-established 229.87 acres of forage crops Paid freight for 2100 trees Initiated Community Tree Nursery Program and accepted orders for 3000 trees seedlings Sampled surface water at Swan Creek Water Testing Station four times Initiated Southwest Integrated Watershed Management Plan WWW.MCDA.CA
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Whitemud Watershed Conservation District
A Renewed Approach to Shale Management Chris Reynolds, Manager of the Whitemud Watershed Conservation District
R
iding Mountain is considered to be one of the most defining features of the Whitemud Watershed. At close to 2300 feet above sea level, Riding Mountain looms almost 1000 feet above the sub-escarpment plains; its rivers and streams joining and pushing eastward into the Whitemud River. The huge escarpment is home to a broad range of habitat and wildlife; an ever-changing environment, forged from shale and shaped by the wind and water. The residents of the Eastern and Southern slopes of Riding Mountain are no strangers to the movement of shale. The same shale that is hard as concrete when dry can become as slippery as grease when it is wet. Every time the water runs, the shale is moving. Water easy erodes the waterways and gullies on the steep slopes, releasing vast amounts of shale and flushing it down into the plains below. The shale is very light and is carried easily by the water. The steep elevation gives the rivers great velocity, and with it the ability to carry the shale load many kilometers away from the foot of the escarpment. When the water finally slows down on the plains below, the shale settles, and the problems begin. The shale deposition is sometimes several feet thick, filling in natural waterways and man-made drains. These blockages are difficult to predict, and can cause rivers and drains to suddenly divert, resulting in flooding of homes and farmland. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, the WWCD began its efforts to reduce the buildup of shale. The concept was simple: build small dams, called “shale traps� which would slow down the water and allow shale to be deposited in a controlled manner. Rivers which had a heavier shale load received multiple shale traps in series to successively capture the runoff as traps filled up. A total of 26 shale traps were constructed on 9 major waterways. Unfortunately, during the mid to late 1990’s, major budget reductions were made to all branches of the Provincial government, and the Conservation Districts were no exception. Tasked with the maintenance of over 1100 miles of drains and 1400 crossings to maintain on a shoestring budget, the WWCD could rarely hold the shale trap program as a high priority for maintenance or expansion. And so, the shale traps were mostly overlooked, and quickly filled to capacity. Some shale traps were destroyed during major runoff events; others were buried entirely by shale. Over the last few years, the volume of shale accumulating in the waterways has increased significantly. Major rainfall events have been consistently transporting large quantities of shale up to 7 miles from the edge of Riding Mountain, resulting in a noticeable increase in required maintenance. There is no question that the shale traps benefit the WWCD in their ability to reduce the amount of shale buildup downstream. 28
The Current 2014
A plan has been in development for several years to develop a sustainable maintenance program for shale management. Ultimately, the program would allow the WWCD to develop maintenance intervals for individual locations, and serve as a tool for identifying optimal locations for new shale traps. The first step of this plan was to address the unknown status of the structures and create a proper inventory. In 2013, WWCD staff visited each location and recorded data such as whether the structures still existed, whether the shale trap was functioning or filled to capacity, if repairs were needed to the structure, if access was available to make repairs, and to establish benchmark dimensions for the catchment area. From the recorded data, it was determined that 20 of 26 shale traps still existed, and all 20 sites were full to capacity, requiring excavation of the catchment area to function again. The next step was to determine a method of monitoring the shale traps. Several sites have been chosen in easily accessible locations. Upon reconstruction of the shale trap, each structure will be fitted with a gauge board, which would allow the height of shale buildup to be recorded. Knowing the approximate dimensions and slope of the catchment area, and using the recorded shale deposition heights will yield volumes
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or fill rates over a given time period. Ideally, over the next 5 years, all 20 sites will be reconstructed and monitored. From the monitoring data collected, WWCD should be able to determine the approximate number of years between cleanouts that each shale trap requires. Additionally, waterways with locations that tend to fill more frequently can be classified as higher priority waterways for new shale trap construction. With a proper shale management strategy in place, the WWCD expects to see long-term benefits such as reduced costs of drain maintenance, reduced erosion, prevention of overland flooding, and creation of in-stream habitat at each shale trap location.
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29
Upper Assiniboine River Conservation District
The Beginnings of a Basin Approach Ryan Canart, Manager of the Upper Assiniboine River Conservation District
T
he Upper Assiniboine River Conservation District is aptly named (in Manitoba), as the river dissects the district roughly in two equal pieces. Formed in 1996; our Board of Directors collectively possess decades of experience only acquired from living in the area. Only we poses the local knowledge needed to apply resource management tools and technology to our specific landscape.
Many of the other aspects of watershed management are more general in nature and can be greatly improved by working together with colleges and stakeholders from across the entire Assiniboine basin some 264,000 square kilometers in size reaching as far away as Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. Our members and everyone else downstream has a vested interest in the outcomes of water quality initiatives being taken by our upstream neighbours the Lower Qu’ Appelle Watershed Association. But without some effort from both sides, we would not know of their successes and challenges or where we could be of assistance. I would like to tell you about an exciting new approach that is being taken to guide our water management efforts in the Assiniboine basin. Ok, well it’s not new in the sense that this approach has not been successfully used elsewhere, but is new to the area recognized as the Assiniboine River Basin. This basin includes all the upstream drainage areas that contribute flow to the Assiniboine River (at Winnipeg). It takes in large tracks of land in western Manitoba, central Saskatchewan, and northern North Dakota. The Assiniboine Basin is the last remaining basin in central Canada to form an organization whose mandate is to collaborate, communicate and foster the efforts of the many smaller scale stewardship groups. From Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, to Minot, North Dakota to Erickson, Manitoba, water management decisions in any one of these areas has the very real potential to impact urban and rural life elsewhere in the basin. It’s actually not new in the sense that it hasn’t been tried in this region before, either. This initiative was considered in 2008
Conserving good ideas. At the Manitoba Co-operator, we write about ideas. But ideas are one thing. Putting them into action is another. That’s why we’re proud to sponsor the Conservation District Awards, which recognize the Manitoba farm families who are putting ideas into action to improve their farms, their community and the environment. Information and inspiration for the Manitoba farmer since 1925. www.manitobacooperator.ca
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The Current 2014
when the Province of Manitoba held stakeholder meetings in consultation with the Red River Basin Commission. In 2012, the newly rebranded Prairie Improvement Network (PIN), formally the Manitoba Rural Adaption Council reengaged the issue. Relying on the framework from 2008, PIN re-engaged the former planning committee, held several meetings, refined it’s outreach and strategy, moving the initiative forward again. Phase 1 culminated in a one day workshop held in Virden, Manitoba in March of 2014. Envirothon
Not surprisingly; there was consensus that there was a problem. We would achieve more if we worked together and the attendees at the session wanted to help provide the solutions. The stakeholders present in Virden charged PIN to further pursue the creation of a basin organization, work with the planning committee to develop an organizational framework structure, consider funding models and bring it back in the near future. PIN has to be commended for recognizing the benefits that this project could bring together agriculture, rural landscapes and all residents within the basin. Then came the summer rains and many of the planning committee members ended up on the front lines of another unprecedented flood fight. This most recent flood seemed to change the conversation and brought the issue back to the much needed forefront of our social consciousness. As the intitiative moves forward please plan to engage in this effort if you live in the basin. All who live in the basin have the opportunity to be part of the water management success story waiting to be written. Working together towards a common goal will ultimately ensure success sooner and cheaper in the face of a changing climate. A basin organization will improve communication, collaboration and education of the important and timely efforts that will have to be made in the coming years if we hope to improve the livelihoods of the some 3.5 million residents that call the Assiniboine basin home.
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39th Annual Conservation Conference
December 1, 2 , 2014, Keystone Centre, Brandon, MB
Water Management in Action: The Rural-Urban Connection Featuring Kerry Freek Keynote Speaker
Kerry Freek is co-author of Flood Forecast: Climate Risk and Resiliency in Canada (Rocky Mountain Books). She currently supports Ontario’s water technology sector as WaterTAP’s manager of marketing and communications. Prior to joining WaterTAP, Kerry covered local, national and global water management issues as the founding editor of Water Canada magazine. She has written about water challenges for several fine Canadian publications, such as Corporate Knights and Alberta Views, and continues to cover the issues on a freelance basis.
Tickets for Banquet $50 plus GST / Entire Conference $225 plus GST This year’s MCDA Annual Conference proves to be the greatest event of the year for Manitoba. We will recognize Conservation Leaders, learn about watershed planning, surface water management initiatives and sustainable landscapes administered by Manitoba’s Conservation Districts.
2014 Conservation Districts Awards Criteria: The Conservation Award recognizes those who demonstrate positive conservation principles. The nominee should have undertaken conservation efforts over a number of years that also show long term benefits for the natural environment and society. Examples of conservation efforts like improving local water quality, conservation farming, maintaining or restoring wetlands, and reforesting.
Conservation Districts Builder Award Criteria: The recipients are nominated by their peers as leaders and mentors who inspire and drive conservation efforts in both the conservation district as well as their community.
For further information please visit us online www.mcda.ca or contact Shane Robins, Executive Director @ 204.570.0164 - info@mcda.ca Please note agenda items may be subject to change
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