Official publication of the Manitoba Conservation Districts Association2012 Edition

Thriving With Change- Long-Term Effects of 2011 Flooding

- Saving the Burrowing Owl

- From Flood to Drought

MCDA’s 37th Annual Conservation Conference Featuring David Suzuki,

Keynote Speaker

YOUR ENVIRONMENT.YOUR UNIVERSITY.

Sharla BoychukEnvironmental Science ‘08 | Watershed Planner

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The Current 2012 3

From the Chair of Manitoba Conservation Districts Association ............................. 5From the Deputy Minister of Manitoba Water Stewardship .................................... 6Long-Term Effects of 2011 Flooding on Lake Manitoba ......................................... 8Manitoba’s Second Largest Urban Centre Joins the Conservation District Program ................................................................ 9From Flood to Drought ......................................................................................... 10Counting on the Bugs - Benthic Invertebrate Monitoring ...................................... 12Through the Trails and Over the Bridge to the Water Festival.............................. 13New Programs for 2012: Spilling the Beans and Spreading Manure .................. 14LiDAR and Aerial Imagery Roles in Municipal Storm Water Management ........... 15Why Would an Abandoned Well Affect our Watershed? ....................................... 17Local Watershed Management Through a Coordinated Partnership Effort .......... 20What Do You Cherish? ......................................................................................... 21Lizard Lake Wetland Partnership ......................................................................... 22Surface Water Management: Addressing Local Priorities .................................... 23Aquatic Ecosystem Improvement / Coordinated Partnerships ............................. 24Give A Hoot ........................................................................................................... 25The Riparian Zone – to preserve and protect ....................................................... 27You Manage What You Measure .......................................................................... 28Improving Watershed Health through Riparian Area and Aquatic Ecosystem Rehabilitation ....................................................................... 30What’s new in the Lower Souris Watershed? ....................................................... 31Shelterbelts and Conservation Corridors .............................................................. 32

The Current is published annually as the official publication of Manitoba Conservation Districts Association. It features editorials of the 18 Conservation Districts within Manitoba. Edited by Shane Robins, Executive Director

Design and layout by Scott Kasprick, Reaxion Graphics, www.reaxiongraphics.com

Printing by the Manitoba Co-operatorEnquiries 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.

Cover credit: Audrey Boitson, Resource Planner, East Interlake Conservation District

Unless indicated otherwise, or as part of an advertorial, all photos have been provided courtsey of the Conservation Districts.

In Partnership with

In This Issue

Long-Term Effects of 2011 Flooding on Lake Manitoba Pg. 8

Counting on the Bugs - Benthic Invertebrate Monitoring Pg. 12

Give A Hoot Pg. 25

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The Current 2012 5

Roles are shifting and our team is growing. With a new vision, the provincial government amalgamated

the departments of Water Stewardship and Conservation. In turn, we would like to thank our previous Water Stewardship minister, Christine Melnyk, for the role she played in Conservation District (CD) development. Her pursuit for the implementation of Integrated Watershed Management Plans has really helped CDs focus on problem areas where change can really make a difference. We would like to congratulate Minister Gord Mackintosh on his appointment to the recently merged department, and we look forward to working with him and his team. Under this department, “Tomorrow Now”, the province’s new green plan, will lay the path for healthier lakes and streams. An equally significant addition to the CDs is Manitoba’s second largest city: Brandon; we welcome your decision to join. Currently, CDs are doing projects related to two types of initiatives: integrated watershed management plans and surface water management plans. Together, we are on our way to making the necessary changes for cleaner and healthier water in Manitoba!

Is this the year for more change? Manitoba has been in a wet cycle for the past few years, with wet falls and lots of snow. Since the last publication of our magazine a year ago, the rains practically stopped in June, 2011 throughout all of Manitoba, turning from a wet cycle, and going into a dry cycle. This year, for most of Manitoba, there was a lack of snowfall moisture, and it was one of the mildest winters on record. Although some areas had timely rains, some areas in the province were too dry or wet. In the past few years a lot of land drainage has taken place to remove water from the fields. Perhaps it is time to be prepared for both extremes: floods and drought. We need to look at holding

some water back on the land and keeping our wetlands full of water to prepare for times of scarce precipitation. Although drainage is an important tool for farmers to manage water on their land to prevent their crops from being drowned out, a balanced approach has to be taken to allow for drainage - yet hold some water back on the land for future times of drought. A manageable water strategy plan is essential to address these issues. Conservation Districts would like to play a lead role in developing this.

As we all know, water quality has been deteriorating over the past 20-30 years. Phosphates are getting into our freshwater lakes and streams and are making them overly nutrient-rich, creating algae blooms and poor-quality water that will only get worse if we do not act now. All land owners, residents, and urban dwellers can do their part through simple, at-home-solutions. To avoid overloading sewage treatment plants, individuals can learn to conserve water in their households and support Lake-Friendly products like phosphate-free soaps and detergents. Today’s education will play the most vital role in our future. I would like to thank the educators and schools that are participating in our youth programs, which include the Envirothon and River Watch initiatives. By having youth actively engage with our CDs, teachers can help pave the way for the future of conservation and water stewardship. We would like to encourage more participation from schools and youth in these programs, because we all benefit from your extra-curricular efforts! The algae in Lake Winnipeg has thrived enough. It’s our turn!Sincerely,Murray SeymourChair, Manitoba Conservation Districts Association

From the Chair of the Manitoba Conservation Districts Association - Thriving with Change

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6 The Current 2012

I would like to congratulate the Manitoba Conservation Districts Association for organizing and hosting the upcoming

37th Annual Conference. The conference theme, Thriving with Change, demonstrates an ambitious and positive future vision for the Conservation Districts Program.

Manitoba is recognized as a leader in Canada for its long standing watershed management partnership with the 18 conservation district boards. The future of integrated watershed management and environmental sustainability in Manitoba will be founded on a model of shared governance and empowered local decision making. As Conservation Districts across Manitoba lead the development of integrated watershed management plans they set a path for sustainability, suitable to the unique challenges faced by each local watershed.

The Conservation Districts Framework for the Future document provides the strategic direction for the Conservation Districts Program and underscores the importance of local people growing their capacity to manage local resources.

To build a sustainable future in Manitoba and to “thrive with change”, the province will be looking to the Conservation Districts Program to lead as watershed champions to protect ecosystems, manage surface water, improve water quality and provide climate change resilience with our healthy watersheds. Your input into the new drainage licensing process and to the provincial surface water management strategy will be valued.

Manitoba’s vision is to continue to expand the Conservation Districts Program across the

province. I am confident that we will achieve that vision and that the program will thrive as we work together through integrated watershed management to sustain the health of our natural environment.

Once again, congratulations for your good work in organizing the conference. Best wishes for a successful event again this year.

Honourable Gord Mackintosh, Minister of Conservation and Water Stewardship

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The Current 2012 7

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Gimli

Reston

Lundar

Inglis

Baldur

Alonsa

The Pas

Oakbank

NeepawaMiniota

Manitou

Holland

Oak River

Ethelbert

Deloraine

Swan River

La Broquerie

Ste. Rose du Lac

WinnipegBrandon

Riding Mountain National Park

Kelsey

SwanLake

Intermountain

Lakeof the

Prairies

UpperAssiniboine

WestSouris

Turtle Mountain

Assiniboine Hills

Little Saskatchewan

TurtleRiver

Whitemud

Alonsa

Pembina Valley

La Salle - Redboine

WestInterlake

EastInterlake

CooksCreek

Seine - Rat

Conservation District

Manager OfficeLocation

Office Number

Alonsa Harry Harris Alonsa (204) 767-2101Assiniboine Hills Neil Zalluski Baldur (204) 535-2139

Cooks Creek Colin Gluting Bird’s Hill/Oak Bank (204) 777-2223East Interlake Armand Belanger Gimli (204) 642-7578Intermountain Jody Tucker Ethelbert (204) 742-3764Kelsey Shawn Sexsmith The Pas (204) 623-3353La Salle Redboine Justin Reid Holland (204) 526-2578Lake of the Prairies Adam Kerkowich Inglis (204) 564-2388

Little Saskatchewan River Colleen Cuvelier Oak River (204) 566-2270Pembina Valley Cliff Greenfield Manitou (204) 242-3267Seine Rat River Kristy-Layne Carr La Broquerie (204) 424-5845Swan Lake Watershed Brent Erlendson Swan River (204) 734-9550Turtle Mountain Yasemin Wruth Deloraine (204) 747-2530Turtle River Watershed Bobby Bennett Ste. Rose du Lac (204) 447-2139Upper Assiniboine River Ryan Canart Miniota (204) 567-3554West Interlake Watershed Linda Miller Lundar (204) 762-5850West Souris River Dean Brooker Reston (204) 877-3020Whitemud Watershed Chris Reynolds Neepawa (204) 476-5019

How to Contact Us

8 The Current 2012

Alonsa Conservation District

Raising Lake Manitoba to five feet above flood stage during the spring flood of 2011 had some obvious, immediate catastrophic effects. What may be less

obvious will be some of the long-term implications. These fall roughly into three main categories; debris, salinity, and habitat alteration.

Debris would appear to be the easiest problem, and certainly shoreline clean-up requires only enthusiasm and manpower. Less obvious would be the amount of submerged debris, and its potential to inflict injury to people and wildlife alike. Disposing of several million sandbags will also require creative solutions.

Large expanses of what used to be pasture and hayland, are now unrecognizable salt flats. The recovery period for these fields is a poorly understood process and appears to be largely weather dependent. Factors such as topography, surface-drainage and total precipitation all come into account, but at the very least, it could be several years before full productivity is restored.

A long-term issue that has largely been ignored is the fate of thousands of trees that line the shores of Lake Manitoba, and also provide nesting habitat for water birds on many of the low-lying islands on the Lake. Most of these trees are now dead, and will shortly be felled by the winds and weather. Habitat alteration on this scale will take decades to undo. Accelerated shoreline erosion, due to the removal of so many tree roots,

will have long-term impacts on cottage development plans and, of course, there is also the short term hazard to small watercraft caused by partially submerged trees.

There is no doubt that the speedy action of the Water Stewardship and E.M.O. saved Winnipeg as well as large portions of the Red River Valley from terrible damage in 2011. However, it must never be forgotten that actions do have consequences that require compensation. Careful study of the issues, and consultation with those affected, could prevent unnecessary repetition of the same occurrences in future flood situations.

Long-Term Effects of 2011 Flooding on Lake Manitoba

Top; Damage to a trailer at Margaret Bruce Beach. Background; Dead tree and salinity at Reykavik.

The Current 2012 9

Assiniboine Hills Conservation District

Manitoba’s Second Largest Urban Centre Joins the Conservation District Program

The City of Brandon has officially joined the Conservation District Program, bridging urban and rural settings, with the goal of watershed management at its heart.

Assiniboine Hills Conservation District (AHCD) is proud to expand its membership by one and on April 1, 2012 welcomed the City of Brandon into the District. Assiniboine Hill Conservation District is composed of a partnership between Manitoba Conservation and Water Stewardship, the Rural Municipalities of Argyle, Cornwallis, Glenwood, South Cypress, Strathcona, Oakland, Riverside, and Whitewater, villages of Glenboro, Wawanesa and the town of Souris.

The expansion will not only increase the land base that AHCD serves, it also increases its board membership. Additional board members from the City will bring forward urban ideas and initiative to what has predominately been a more rural focus within the District. This becomes increasingly important as projects and programs are discussed that may be impacted by multiple land-use management practices.

The Central Assiniboine Lower Sours River Integrated Watershed Management Plan (IWMP) provides a framework

for soil and water programming within the watershed. This plan incorporates the City of Brandon within the larger watershed, identifying how the city fits within AHCD and its sustainable watershed programming. This plan was developed

locally and provides direction on which local issues are of priority and need to be addressed first in terms of soil and water quality within the watershed.

The mission of AHCD is to manage water and environmental resources to promote a healthy watershed and sustainable lifestyle for current and future generations. To accomplish this, both urban and rural entities

within the District need to be in communication and working together to achieve sustainable watershed management. Brandon is now the largest urban centre within Manitoba’s Conservation District Program. This partnership will bring forward new initiatives, challenges and successes that will set the path for future growth within Manitoba that exhibit beneficial partnerships between urban and rural settings, while incorporating the broader interest in sustaining the health and viability of our local watersheds.

10 The Current 2012

Cooks Creek Conservation District

From Flood to Drought

For a number of summers Cooks Creek Conservation District

has been prone to frequent and heavy summer rains. This leaves the District’s drainage infrastructure over-taxed and in overland flooding. Consecutive overland flooding affects local residents, agricultural producers and municipalities. Excess water stresses existing infrastructure, washing out roads, crossings, and eroding creek banks. The 2010 summer season was especially bad, as the area saw continuous rain fall throughout the summer.

In 2011 however, the summer came with very little precipitation. Overwhelmed ditches that were flowing at full capacity in 2010, had dried up completely in 2011. Area producers found themselves doing something they had not done in quite some time; praying for rain. As producers must adopt and operate differently during these times, so does the Conservation District.

The drastic difference in weather from one summer to the next allowed the District to mow many of the drains which had been over grown with vegetation the last several years. In most recent summers, in order to clean many of the drain bottoms, sickle mowing would have had to be done. In 2011 however, the ditch bottoms were so dry that a regular grass mower was able to reach the drain bottom and effectively cut the ditches. The District and municipalities adjusted their works program in accordance with the weather which was well received by the community.

The extreme change in weather came with a welcomed change at the office. In 2010 the phones were constantly ringing with many upset residents. In 2011 phone calls were targeted towards a different issue, problematic wildlife. While nobody was particularly impressed by the 2010 rain, the excessive amount of water did allow the District to identify many trouble areas. To effectively manage the drainage network in the area

it is important to have an understanding of the weaknesses. Wetter seasons allow the District to survey the entire drainage network and outline future construction works.

The wet 2010 summer forced the District to do the majority of its work program in the fall, at a time when it was drier than that summer, but realistically still very wet. Dry weather in 2011 allowed the District to have machines working in the ditches earlier than in recent years. Conditions were great for construction as the operators did not have to deal with saturated earth material.

Minimal precipitation that carried over to the winter of 2012 in the region left the District with even drier conditions than 2011. In the spring of 2012 local producers were able to work the ground as best they could in recent memory.

2010 and 2011 were quite opposite and while no extremes are ideal, board members, residents, and producers can all agree that the District is able to keep and maintain its infrastructure in excellent condition during dry years.

10 The Current 2012

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12 The Current 2012

East Interlake Conservation District

Counting on the Bugs - Benthic Invertebrate Monitoring

East Interlake Conservation District (EICD) has been counting on the bugs to tell them if noticeable changes to surface water quality are occurring. Since 2007,

EICD with partners from North South Consultants, Lake Winnipeg Foundation and Manitoba Conservation and Water Stewardship, have been delivering a Benthic Monitoring Program in which invertebrates are counted and classified.

Why bugs?These small bugs (Benthic Invertebrates) act as barometers of water quality. Some can tolerate higher pollution levels, while others disappear as pollution levels increase. Invertebrates are an important food source for fish and provide an indicator fish habitat quality. As a result of this, benthic invertebrates are valuable indicators of biological conditions. Since many benthic organisms live for 1-2 years and do not move too far up or down a stream, they reflect local habitat conditions and provide a better understanding of longer term health of a specifc the waterway.

Fishflies… the smell of good water quality? Many residents or cottagers near Lake Winnipeg cringe when they think of fishfly (or mayfly) season. This is a season when piles of dead fishflies coat their streets, and you can hear a distinctive popping sound as children drive over the fishfly bodies with their bicycles. During this season a very a sharp smell fills the air, a smell that seems to emanate and announce the beginning of fishfly season.

But for many individuals this is a season that should be

celebrated, “We (fishermen) have always wanted to see fishflys, because we have always known that this is a sign of good water quality”, said Robert T. Kristjanson, a local fishermen and advocate of the health of Lake Winnipeg “We should have a monument put up and recognize the positive message that this creature is trying to tell us.”

How can we help the bugs? EICD and its partners are working with local land owners and any others interested in completing projects which improve aquatic habitat of the area. Some of these projects are listed within the local Integrated Watershed Management Plans (IWMP) of the area, the benthic report card and the full bioassesment report of EICD, all of which are available online at www.eicd.net

The Current 2012 13

Intermountain Conservation District

Through the Trails and Over the Bridge to the Water Festival

By the end of the day, visiting grade five students are all smiles as they board the bus to head home after participating in a

full day at the Mountain Region Water Festival. The Water Festival is held annually in September, at a picturesque setting, just next to the Intermountain Conservation District office. The staff at the District has been working very hard over the past five years to develop a trail system which utilizes a fork of two nearby waterways, Shanty creek from the West and an unnamed creek from the South. A partial trail was first put in to the fork of the two waterways, shortly after this four arched bridges criss-crossing the two waterways were installed. Over the next three summers additional spur trails were added to the trail system, opening up more areas of natural habitat along the trail system for all to enjoy. The latest addition to the trails includes covered shelters at the stations; these are used during the annual Water Festival to keep presenters and their displays dry or shaded from variable weather conditions.

This trail system has become an integral aspect of the Water Festival’s success. Some of the stations that the student and adult chaperones enjoy most are fishing, the obstacle course, stream table, streambank millionaire and of course, critter dipping. Any stations that require water are set up close to the stream’s edge to allow the students to attain a hands-on experience. This trail system provides a natural landscape for outdoor learning; the students are often quite enthusiastic as they navigate their way through the trails and over the bridges. Often students get so excited and involved in some of the activities that they even end up a bit more hands-on (and sometimes wetter) than intended. The location of the

Water Festival plays a large role in the outdoor experience and education students receive from the event’s activities. The Intermountain staff has received numerous compliments from teachers and chaperons on the Water Festival location and have also commented on its ideal location for holding this outdoor educational event.

A few additional trail expansions are planned for the near future. The District plans on adding in interpretive and directional signage to the trail and additional bridges to ensure the system is even more user friendly for Water Festival participants. The Mountain Region Water Festival is held annually in September and includes school participants from Dauphin, Ethelbert, Grandview, Gilbert Plains and Winnipegosis.

14 The Current 2012

Kelsey Conservation District

New Programs for 2012: Spilling the Beans and Spreading Manure

For the first time in Manitoba’s Conservation District history, Kelsey

Conservation District will be offering a manure spreader as part of its regular programming. To facilitate this program, the District recently purchased a Leon 425 manure spreader. One of the challenges local producers face is the removal and spreading of manure, a product of concentrated cattle wintering. New winter feeding practices such as swath grazing and bale grazing are promoted throughout the District and do reduce the amount of manure accumulated over the winter, however some spreading is still necessary. Having a modern manure spreader in the area which is available for rent will assist producers in handling any accumulated and excess manure.

Manure can be a valuable commodity if it is used as a fertilizer and a soil amendment. The normal process for handling manure is to compost the manure generated during the winter. This composting process will reduce the volume of manure that needs to be spread and concentrate some of the nutrients in the manure. Once the composting process is complete, the manure is loaded into the spreader with front end loaders or excavators and spread on local agricultural fields. The addition of manure can greatly reduce the amount of synthetic fertilizers required to produce a crop, ultimately resulting in a financial saving for the producer.

Another addition to its programming list, this spring the District, in partnership with Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives will be establishing a 20 acre soybean plot. Soybeans have never been grown north of the 53rd parallel in Manitoba as there are not enough heat units in this area to allow for a successful crop. However, new varieties of soybeans have been developed and now there is a strong possibility that soybeans may be worked into a normal crop rotation for producers in The Pas. Kelsey Conservation District is interested in establishing soybeans within the area

as it will allow for a greater diversification of crops. Currently the normal crop rotation in the area is wheat and canola. If soybeans are added to the crop rotation it would help to prevent crop diseases, reducing the amount of chemical spraying required. An added bonus of soybeans is that they are a legume, meaning they have the ability to produce nitrogen. Nitrogen is an essential nutrient for successful crop production. Typically producers add nitrogen as part of their fertilization program, a practice which can become quite expensive. Soybeans, like most legumes, perform nitrogen fixation by establishing a symbiotic relationship with the bacterium Bradyrhizobium japonicum. This is a natural process which can save the producer financially and prevent the potential of over fertilization, a process that can have a detrimental impact on the watershed. Two varieties of soybeans will be planted side by side in the District’s pilot project, each in a ten acre plot. This project will be an ongoing test plot study for the next three years, the project site will be identified with signage to mark its location.

Kelsey Conservation District continually evaluates its programming and seeks out new projects and initiatives relevant to the current needs of the District. The District’s agriculture-orientated programs strive to address both the livestock and grain industry with programs benefitting both the producers and the local watershed in a positive way.

The Current 2012 15

Each Municipality should have storm water management model. It is the grid through which we put all information and input about the subject. Knowing

your own paradigm is the first step in understanding storm water management and having up-to-date data in a GIS plays a key role in creating this model.

A properly managed GIS database with up-to-date data is a key component, in assisting today’s municipalities in making wise decisions about many aspects of change from new development to storm water management and environmental studies. Municipalities today are now realizing the importance up-to-date aerial imagery and LiDAR has on creating and maintaining an effective municipal GIS.

The development and maintenance of a GIS inventory is often the first step in creating a comprehensive storm water management model. As with any other public infrastructure (water, manholes, culverts, streets, etc.), having knowledge of the storm water infrastructure is important for proper and efficient management. Relevant information includes spatial location and classification of storm drains; drainage networks; structure type; streams, ponds, and wetlands; watershed boundaries; floodplains; existing and proposed land use and zoning; and known water quality problem areas. This information can be collected and managed as individual layers for each database category within a GIS.

There is an explosion of ability to acquire, organize, and utilize land data in support of storm water management. Data acquisition systems include high-resolution satellite and aerial imagery, Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR), and ground Global Positioning Systems (GPS). Today, most municipalities are using some form of data collection system to compile municipal assets and maintain within a GIS for such applications as storm water management. It is important to understand the different methods of data collection with their associated efficiencies and benefits that come with each collection method.

Aerial and Satellite imagery offers a diverse set of mapping products for projects ranging from land use and land cover evaluation to urban and regional planning, tax assessment and collection, and growth monitoring. In the case of storm water runoff, high resolution imagery can be used to measure impervious surfaces, such as rooftops, streets, and parking

LiDAR and Aerial Imagery Roles in Municipal Storm Water ManagementBy Daniel Brooker, ATLIS Geomatics

lots. Pervious surfaces, such as tree- and grass-covered areas, can also be measured or delineated. Applying runoff coefficients to the area of each surface type can provide the best available estimates for nonpoint source water pollution. By adding parcel boundaries to an imagery layer, it is possible to provide estimated runoff per parcel in order to calculate storm water user fees. Flood boundaries can be measured within sub-meter accuracy in areas without tree cover using high resolution aerial imagery. Individual buildings and parcel boundaries can also be identified and mapped in 3D to help assess flood vulnerability and plan effective emergency evacuation routes. Aerial imagery also offers a great alternative to LiDAR for producing LiDAR quality elevation models and contours which is becoming more cost effective on smaller regions such as towns, or other concentrated areas.

LiDAR is a technology used for collecting position and elevation data from a pulse scanning laser system typically mounted in an aircraft for large collects. By using laser pulses aimed down toward the ground from a plane flying in traversing patterns at a known altitude, an accurate depiction of the topography of the land can be determined. These pulses can then be converted to three-dimensional points for inclusion in a GIS application with vertical accuracies as good as +/-5cm and up. The typical accuracy requirement for floodplain mapping is +/-15cm vertical, which is a cost-effective specification over wide areas. After data acquisition and calibration LiDAR pulses are then classified to filter out 3D information such as ground, high, medium and low vegetation, water, roads, and structures. Once classification is complete, a number of derivative products can be delivered. These products include contours with typical intervals of 0.25m-0.5m, bare earth (all vegetation and structures removed) with one point every 1m, and a full feature model which includes a 3D model of all ground, vegetation, buildings and other structures. LiDAR is especially great for acquiring elevation and other 3D data over larger areas such as an entire municipality and assessing flood vulnerability. These models are especially usefully when combining the visual information from aerial or satellite imagery.

When considering which data is right for you, you need to consider what data layers you currently have in your (continued page 29)

16 The Current 2012

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16 The Current 2011

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Ph: 476-4458 - Fax: 476-3362200 Airport Road, Neepawa, MB

● Vehicle Decals● Neon Signs● Highway Signs

● Illuminated Signs● Farm Signs● Custom Banners

“A Business With No Sign is a Sign of No Business”

Our goal is to protect ecologically significant landscapes for all future generations.

You can help…

Support for Integrated Watershed Management and PlanningPlanning and analysis services including:

• Nutrient management• Ecosystem services analysis

• Ecological design• Biomass inventories

• Greenhouse gas analysis• New value chains

wic@iisd.ca

MCDA_The Current_2011_final_setup:The Curren 04/10/2011 11:11 AM Page 16

The Current 2012 17

Lake of the Prairies Conservation DistrictWhy Would an Abandoned Well Affect our Watershed?

Due to its small size and often hidden location, abandon wells easily become one of the most over looked

contributors to watershed deterioration. These inconspicuous holes can have the potential to contaminate an entire town’s water supply. Simple everyday occurrences, including; leaking vehicle fluids, discarded motor oil, improper refuse disposal, agricultural run off, faulty plumbing and many others may lead to compromised water quality. Unfortunately a lot of older abandoned wells often go unnoticed, either due to landowners unawareness of the property history or because a well was sealed improperly. What tends to happen is that these old wells were drilled at points of lower elevation. When it rains or snow melts, water runs across our landscape to the lowest point, collecting an array of chemicals and nutrients. An abandoned well provides a direct link from surface to ground water, allowing a direct channel to contaminate ground water supply, a resource often used for drinking water.

Vegetation and a number of soil layers form the soil horizon, a natural filtration system for our ground water. Each layer plays a role in the filtration process; if one is missing it can affect the quality of water percolating into our underground aquifers. Ground water provides a viable drinking water source, however contaminated ground water can be quite difficult and costly to remediate and clean. In instances where drinking water does not meet standards, a boil water advisory or recommended alternative drinking water sources are required.

Wells should never be sealed without proper consultation. It is important that proper procedures are followed when sealing wells. Older, abandoned wells may no longer be in use but they can quite easily have an effect on the quality of water sourced from nearby wells. Ground water flows, albeit at a much slower pace, much in the same way as surface water. Contaminants sourced from one improperly sealed or open well affect the surrounding ground water sources.

If sealing a well, it is important to consult your local Conservation District to ensure proper procedures are taken throughout the process. Well casings must be removed, metal casings tend to rust and deteriorate over time when left untouched. Once the casing has been removed it is recommended that the well is shocked through a chlorination process. This ensures bacteria and other impurities are removed. To properly fill the well, alternating layers of soil, and bentonite clay must be poured into the well. Manitoba provincial guidelines outline the specifics for sealing a well, depending on depth and diameter. These guidelines outline the amount of casing to be removed, amount of bleach to apply, as well as the proper amounts of soil and bentonite to be used. The guidelines are available online at www.gov.mb.ca or through your local Conservation District office.

Everyone plays a role in assuring our water quality is secured, for those that use it today, tomorrow and further into the future. Any questions pertaining to well sealing, drinking water quality or our watershed planning in Lake of the Prairies Conservation District can be directed to our office.

18 The Current 2012

A research initiative is underway at AAFC’s Agroforestry Development Centre (ADC) in Indian Head, Saskatchewan with respect to sustainable

production of biomass in agroforestry systems. The pilot project focuses on using woody biomass, a significant renewable biomass source on Canada’s agricultural landscape, as energy and will assist with the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.

A woody biomass furnace has been set up and commissioned to supply heat to some of the buildings located at the ADC. The furnace has the capability of using fuel supplied from trees and shrubs grown in agroforestry systems, such as the native willow rings around wetlands and purpose grown willows currently located at the ADC. These willows are a renewable energy source that can be harvested every 3 to 5 years and grow back without replanting. The willows are harvested using a modified baler that cuts and bales the willows in a single pass. The bales are then stored for 6 months while they dry and are then ready to be processed. A Haybuster tub grinder is used to convert the bales into wood chips that are then transferred to the storage bin using a blower. The chips become the fuel for the biomass furnace.

The results of this research will determine how farmers can balance economic objectives while managing their land

in a sustainable manner. Alternative energy sources are becoming more important and in some cases may be required in the future. For example, in Manitoba there is currently a tax applied to the purchase of coal and by 2014, there will be a complete ban on burning coal. Using a sustainable biomass energy source such as willow may be a viable alternative for heating purposes.

Keeping the trees and wetlands on the agricultural landscape can have environmental and economic benefits. Wetlands and their surrounding native willow rings can be preserved for future generations. There is value in trees when incorporated into a woody biomass system and there are options for agricultural producers with respect to clearing land while keeping woody biomass on the landscape.

The pilot project is just one innovation among many at the ADC, which has been planting and researching trees for over 110 years. The ADC promotes environmental and economic benefits of integrating trees with agricultural systems through research and extension activities. For more information on this and other research initiatives contact the Agroforestry Development Centre at 1-866-766-2284 or agroforestry@agr.gc.ca.

Agroforestry Practices for Sustainable Biomass Production and Green House Gas Mitigation

By working with the Manitoba government and conservation districts, MHHC will help protect the quality of Manitoba’s groundwater.

The Manitoba Habitat Heritage Corporation is moving in a new direction – underground.

Conservation districts (CDs) have developed many innovative programs to monitor and enhance the quality and quantity of the groundwater over which we all live and influence.

MHHC will join with CDs and use our skills and experience to complement existing groundwater programs.

Over the next year, MHHC will target the delivery of conservation agreements within recharge zones of Manitoba’s aquifers.

By protecting the natural lands, we protect Manitoba’s groundwater.

Although this is a new direction for MHHC, we are not new to the protection of areas that influence ground-water quality. Through partnerships with CDs and our own programs, MHHC has already protected about 25,000 acres of natural habitat within recharge zones.

200-1555 St. James St. Winnipeg, Manitoba 204-784-4350 www.mhhc.mb.ca

– The Manitoba Habitat Heritage Corporation –

� � �

Natural landscapes – the first line of defence

MHHC is seeking opportunities to partner with CDs to implement conservation agreements and permanently protect natural lands within groundwater recharge zones.

By identifying and permanently conserving the natural habitats that filter drinking water, we can keep our waters pure and plentiful.

Protecting Habitat,Protecting Groundwater.

This photo shows the Langford Community Pasture – the recharge zone for Neepawa’s water supply. With support from the Whitemud Watershed CD, it is now protected.

Groundwater coming to the surface through an artesian well near Oak Hammock Marsh.

Building Partnerships forHabitat Conservation

20 The Current 2012

LaSalle Redboine Conservation District

Local Watershed Management Through a Coordinated Partnership Effort

Pelly’s Lake is 630 acres of historical lake and wetland area located in southern Manitoba, just southeast of Holland. The area within Pelly’s Lake consists of

mostly marsh grasses, cattails and reeds and is of very little use agriculturally to the producers who own the land. Over the last half century or more, numerous attempts have been made to drain the lake in order to open up some of the area for pasture, hay or cropland. None of these attempts have led to any lasting success and today the area sits as a swamp that is gradually being overrun by reeds and cattail vegetation. 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.

Through a large partnership effort, Pelly’s Lake is being developed as a Watershed Management Area (WMA). This means that many separate aspects of the Pelly’s Lake region are being managed to create a healthy and sustainable watershed. A Water Retention project is also being built and will add many benefits to the immediate area, as well as to the entire downstream watershed. It will slow spring run-off, allow nutrients and sediment to settle out, and decrease erosion within the stream channel. It will help to recharge ground water supplies and will enhance the wetland, allowing for more desirable plant species to revegetate. Wildlife and waterfowl will also benefit from this improved habitat. When the water is released later in the spring, it acts as a late season recharge for downstream reservoirs. The capacity of the Water Retention project will be approximately 1200 acre-feet, this equals approximately 1/3 of the total storage of Stephenfield Lake.

Working in partnership with the International Institute for Sustainable Development, a cattail harvesting system will be utilized; it will assist in removing nutrients from the system.

Harvested cattail biomass will be converted to biofuel and then used as a renewable heat source for local landowners, reducing local fossil fuel use. The phosphorus present within the biomass is retained in the ash after burning, and can then be spread as fertilizer. There is the potential to remove up to 24lbs of phosphorus per acre from the retention area, this could ideally then be used as fertilizer for cropland locally.

Part of the Pelly’s Lake WMA will be an educational park on a hill overlooking the Pelly’s Lake area. Here students from local schools will have the opportunity to come and learn about the project, its ecosystem and watershed benefits and the continued management of the area. The park will contain educational signs, a commemorative cairn in honour of the landowners and project participants, and picnic tables where people can sit and enjoy the native prairie flowers and panoramic view of Pelly’s Lake.

The Pelly’s Lake WMA includes the cooperation of seven local landowners. These landowners have worked hard with the District in the preparation and planning of the project design and operation. In order to preserve those efforts for future generations, all of the landowners involved have decided to sign their portion of the Pelly’s Lake WMA into a Conservation Agreement with the Manitoba Habitat Heritage Corporation. This ensures the Pelly’s Lake WMA will be protected and continue to benefit the watershed for years to come.

The Current 2012 21

Little Saskatchewan River Conservation District

What Do You Cherish?

Our watersheds offer many different opportunities; a place to call home, a place to work, a place to renew ourselves through recreation. If you enjoy a day at

the beach on a hot summer day or catching the big one at your favourite fishing hole, you probably have a sense of ownership for the places you visit even through you don’t own them. Ownership has many definitions. You can physically own a car and the property where you reside or use to make your living. Ownership can be intangible also. The feelings attached to ownership include a sense of entitlement, the need to protect and many others. These feelings were put into words by members of the watershed community during the preparation of the completed Little Saskatchewan River and Arrow-Oak River Integrated Watershed Management Plans. Each watershed community’s wishes were the basis for goals within each plan.

Each plan contains a goal related to surface water quality. Surface water quality was not a new idea for the Little Saskatchewan River Conservation District (LSRCD). Past programs were successfully delivered to landowners who recognized the benefits to not only themselves but to the watershed. Because just like those visitors that came to the lake for the great fishing, they liked to go fishing too.

Former programs related to surface water quality were specific to individual beneficial management practices. In preparation for the 2011 LSRCD program season, the LSRCD Board evaluated the effectiveness of existing programs.

Asking the question, “What had been offered for programs in the past going to achieve watershed goals”? The decision was made that programs needed to be changed. This decision was supported by the positive response from the watershed community to a new program delivered in 2010.

A single, more comprehensive program, Nutrient Management, was developed and

encompasses a wider variety of practices that the LSRCD could see occurring. Applicants identified what needed to be addressed and how to address it.

Restructuring the program addressed what needed to happen within each watershed to achieve goals specific to that watershed. The second part addressed the level of funding available to

landowners undertaking these nutrient management projects. The District re-evaluated the cost-share funding which, in the past was a flat 75% contribution by the District. The board decided to now implement a tiered system; the three tiers (50%, 65%, and 75%) reflect the overall benefit to the watershed by the completion of the project. Past experience shows that landowners were looking for financial assistance but still wanted some ownership of the project. To its funders, the District was better using the limited funding it had available. Recognizing the need for greater transparency, the District posted the criteria by which each program application was rated on its website. In the first year, seven landowner projects were completed. Landowners received $12,012.76 while contributing $29,926.47.

As the District begins the second year offering its Nutrient Management program, there is a sense of accomplishment as summarized by Ray Frey, LSRCD Board Chair. “This everything for everybody program provides flexibility to landowners because they too like to spend time at the lake”.

22 The Current 2012

Pembina Valley Conservation District

Lizard Lake Wetland Partnership

The Lizard Lake Wetland Project is a world class model of what partners can do in successfully managing a wetland for both wildlife and agriculture. This site

is unique and showcases the many benefits of preserving wetlands such as, providing a better quality of life, improved water resources, protection of our environment and a climate change solution. Last fall, the partners worked together to repair one of the culvert control structures. The RM of Thompson provided heavy equipment along with an operator, Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) provided staff to design, form and pour the new concrete control head for the new culvert, Pembina Valley Conservation District (PVCD) supplied staff to provide and install the culvert and Manitoba Conservation and Water Stewardship also provided their support. It is amazing what partners can do when they all join forces and all work together.

This 580 acre wetland and 1560 acre “backflood” provides many benefits to different people from the area and abroad. The wetland acts like a sponge filtering the water which goes into the Lake Winnipeg Basin. The environmental impact of this site includes biodiversity, wildlife habitat, water quality conditioning, reduced downstream flooding, erosion and sedimentation prevention. The infrastructure within the RM’s of Pembina and Thompson also benefit from the reduced flood peak and stream flow reduction. The 23 local landowners benefit from the hay production; it can yield up to 7,500 lbs of hay per acre without any inputs. Education is an important aspect of this site; it is used by surrounding communities, schools and universities to study; water testing, ecological succession, adaptations, food webs and interaction and human impacts on ecosystems.

This Lizard Lake Wetland Project has been operating since 1985, but with the deteriorating water control infrastructure now threating the ability for the partners to continue its successful management, it requires refurbishment and significant investment. The repairs done this year are only a small part of what is needed to repair the remaining infrastructure, which is estimated to cost $100,000. The partners will need to secure funds to do the other repairs to make this successful project continue for many years.

The Current 2012 23

Seine Rat River Conservation DistrictSurface Water Management: Addressing Local Priorities

Anyone who has lived in Manitoba for the past few years knows what an important role water plays in our Province. Even looking back one or two

years, records show extensive flooding in some areas, and then often followed by extremely dry conditions. If some of the climatologists out there are right, this is just a taste of what is yet to come. Although flooding and drought receive the majority of the attention, especially in agro-Manitoba, there are many other components which play into the broader issue of water management. While this list is by no means exhaustive, these include; drainage and infrastructure planning, wetland protection and restoration, riparian protection, source water protection for drinking water, wastewater & storm water management, water quality, water use & supply, climate change, policy, education, and water retention.

In looking over this list, it becomes obvious that developing a water management strategy is a complicated task, involving many stakeholders. While each item is important, some may be more of a priority within different local areas. The Seine-Rat River Conservation District has looked at its local watershed

priorities and feels water retention is the most effective way for them to contribute as a vital stakeholder in regional and provincial water management. Recently, there has been much

discussion in Manitoba on the most effective way to carry out water retention initiatives which demonstrate multiple watershed benefits, including; flooding mitigation, drought proofing, and improved water quality and wildlife habitat. As more work is done to develop and improve water retention strategies, it is vitally important that landowners be brought into and become involved in the process. If they do not see benefits from water retention on their own land, buy-in will be tremendously difficult. The District is committed to

being a player along with researchers who analyze and suggest options, governments who set policy, and landowners who have local knowledge and directly impact the landscape.

The Province of Manitoba has recently announced that they will be designing and implementing a province-wide surface water strategy. As a Conservation District, we are excited about the possibility of greater coordination and support for stakeholders as we all try to affect positive change in the complex and dynamic realm of water management.

24 The Current 2012

Swan Lake Watershed Conservation District

Aquatic Ecosystem Improvement / Coordinated Partnerships

When the Swan Lake Watershed Conservation District (SLWCD) opened its doors in 2007 one of

many local issues brought forth to the District was the Honoway Ford Crossing on the Swan River, a site in need of many repairs. The crossing was a pronounced barrier for spring spawning when large bodied fish species make their migration upstream. It is the first barrier along the river from Swan Lake, at approximately 90 km upstream.

Various options and designs for constructing a fishway at the crossing were reviewed in 2008. Landowners involved were very understanding and cooperative throughout the entire process. A survey line was cleared in October 2008 and initial design and negotiations ensued. The District completed fisheries stock assessments and walleye telemetry tracking in 2009 and 2010 with the local Swan Valley Sport Fishing Enhancement (SVSFE).

In 2010 the District secured funding from the Fisheries Enhancement Fund, SVSFE and support from the RM of Minitonas and Provincial Fisheries to begin construction. AAE Tech Services were retained and provided the engineered design.

Considerable rainfall in the fall of 2010 stalled further construction, until sufficient frost levels in December could carry the construction machines. A block at upper end was left in to allow for final completion in 2011.

In 2011, SVSFE tagged 18 walleye within the river system. They were tracked to further understand walleye behavior, habitat preference and assess the usage of the fishway. SVSFE technicians used hoop nets, gill nets and seining to assess the abundance and diversity of species using the fishway this past spring.

With the fishway now operational and utilized by large bodied fish, it restores the productivity to under-utilized riverine spawning, feeding and overwintering habitats by re-

establishing historic fish migration routes and enhances the recreational fisheries resources.

Partnerships are key to achieving shared goals and to completing larger-scale, on-the-ground projects. These partnerships benefit many stakeholders and provide an excellent educational venue. SLWCD appreciates the support and assistance from SVSFE, local Provincial Fisheries, its Municipal partners and the landowners for contributing to this project.

Fisheries Enhancement Fund assistance made this project possible.

The Current 2012 25

Turtle Mountain Conservation District

GIVE A HOOT Conservat ion Distr ictTurtle MountainTurtle Mountain

What small, long legged, white eye-browed, bright yellow eyed bird is listed as an endangered species, lives in burrows, and diet consists

mainly of insects? If you said the Burrowing Owl (Athene cunicularia) you are right.

During the 2009-2011 summer seasons, University of Winnipeg Master of Science Graduate student, Alexandra Froese had been working on a small scale Burrowing Owl captive release program. There are two main goals of this project, the first is to stimulate and re-establish a self sustaining Burrowing Owl population in Manitoba. “For recovery, the goal is to have 23 pairs naturally occurring in Manitoba. In 1993, there were 23 owl pairs in Manitoba, and as stated in the Recovery Strategy for the Burrowing Owl (Species At Risk Act) we would like to get back to at least that many pairs,” says Alexandra Froese. The second is to compare breeding biology components amongst captive released owls and wild owls. “It is important to collect breeding biology data, especially for an endangered species when you want to care for that species”. Currently, there are 5-10 known wild burrowing owls within Manitoba.

The project originally started with three different sites in the Broomhill, Pierson and Lyleton areas. In 2011 it expanded to include a site within the Turtle Mountain Conservation District, in the Deloraine area. Artificial nest burrows, perching posts, and an enclosed wire pens are installed at each site where the captive owls are first released.

Beginning in May, owl pairs from the Assiniboine Park Zoo (APZ) are held in pens at release sites, until three or more eggs have been laid. Release sites are located on private lands. Once each nest is confirmed to have four or more eggs, pens will be taken down and the owls are released. The owls and their young are banded and monitored for the rest of the season until migration in September. A few young from each pair are

removed from the brood and taken back to the APZ and held over for the winter. This practice provides the project with a breeding release population for the following breeding season. Surveys throughout the southwest corner of the province are conducted throughout the entire breeding season. Any wild owls found are banded and the location site is recorded.

The program has faced a number of challenges since it first began. “Water, predators, and natural events including extreme winds and collapsed pens have all been challenges in the program. However, in one case, a pen shift due to high winds resulted in an owl pair being released early and the female of the pair

ended up nesting with another male, producing 2 young, which was positive for the program,” says Froese.

Since the program first began there have been a total of 37 burrowing owl young born within the program. “In 2010, the program had its most successful year. Captive burrowing

owls produced 2 young and wild owls produced 17 young. In 2011, the captive owls had increased success with 6 young fledging, and 10 young produced at wild nests. The total of 8 young from the captive owls may seem low but this was a huge success considering all the water we had the last two years”, says Froese.

In both 2010 and 2011, there were 14 owls (both wild and captive young) that were removed from the program to winter at the APZ and to be released in spring the following years.

“This year we are hoping to release another 5 pairs. We currently have 12 males and 2 females. I’m waiting on 2 females from the Saskatchewan Burrowing Owl Interpretive Center (SBOIC) in Moose Jaw. Pairing these owls with two of our males will increase the genetic diversity in our population. The plan is to release 2 pairs in Turtle Mountain Conservation District and 3 pairs at the Broomhill site within the West Souris Conservation District.”

“The outlook for the program’s future looks good. The (continued page 31)

26 The Current 201226 The Current 2012

www.lakewinnipegfoundation.org To find out about partnering on a project,

go to Projects and Programs

To find out about travel subsidies for students to attend water education field trips, go to

Funding and Donations

Lake Winnipeg Foundation seeks solutions for the health of Lake

Winnipeg and its watershed.

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

The Current 2012 27

Turtle River Watershed Conservation District

The Riparian Zone – to preserve and protect

Throughout the summer of 2012 the Turtle River Watershed Conservation District will be

partnering with Agriculture Canada in an initiative to review the state of riparian health along the Turtle River. This project will become part of a larger, provincial-wide initiative led by Agriculture Canada.

The Riparian Health Information Development Project uses cost effective remote sensing methodologies to classify aerial imagery and produce riparian information along watercourses in agricultural regions of the province. The final project result will include a database of more detailed riparian health information, allowing for a more accurate measurement of riparian areas along watercourses within Manitoba. Both landowners and water planning authorities alike will have an effective tool at their fingertips for land use decisions in riparian zones.

Over the past few years, several factors have contributed to the severe erosion issues within the District. Heavy runoff events coupled with the steep topography of the Riding Mountain escarpment at the headwaters of the District, as well as the abundant man-made drainage system throughout the area have been the top contributors to these erosion concerns. As a result of these factors, the health of the Turtle River has been severely jeopardized.

The District will be contributing to the overall project by contacting local landowners, requesting access to properties for assessment purposes and coordinating the local database of information gathered within the District. The information that is generated from the results of the Turtle River riparian health assessment will be used to identify the various riparian areas and vegetation types. As well, the information attained will provide the District with the necessary tools to further pursue a management plan for the improvement of this critical area by helping to minimize erosion concerns as well as improving fish and wildlife habitat.

28 The Current 2012

Upper Assiniboine River Conservation District

You Manage What You Measure

As the old adage goes “you only manage what you measure”. This hits the nail pretty squarely on the head as it relates to today’s management of

Manitoba’s water resources.

Upper Assiniboine River is dominated by the prairie pothole landscape, with less than ten miles of provincially managed drains in our 6500 square kilometer watershed, private and municipal jurisdiction is the norm. The vast majority of the drainage happens without a license and the province, to this point, has taken a very soft approach to offenders which are reported or found to be in contravention of the rules. The result is a system of drainage that unpredictable unmeasured and unmanageable. We are more or less at the mercy of the weather and the last few years have been a little unkind..

A good place to start is the launch of a ‘new’ provincial surface water strategy. I say new because we have had a strategy up until this spring, ‘ignore the problem and maybe it will go away’, since this old strategy failed to pan out, the new strategy is a welcome step in the management of Manitoba’s water. Long overdue, we have high expectations. It gives us an opportunity to step back and view the system as a whole and ask some important and hard questions. If offers a process to gather input from stakeholders, to challenge our current paradigm and set a course for a more balanced and sustainable future.

Before we chart this new direction for the future, we have to understand where we are today, because nothing happens by accident. The outcomes we are witnessing today are the direct result of the system we have created. If we want different results we have to commit to changing the system that has created these current results. This, of course is no easy task. The system we have today is a blending of many factors which are not limited to political will, the economics of farming, societies understanding of and value placed on water management and the variability of landscapes across Manitoba.

Who will show the leadership required? As mentioned above, the system we have is a result of the actions we have taken as a collective to this point. But what are the alternatives? Most people that are critical of the current system say that the number one issue is that the process takes too long. But what are their expectations? Deciding to remove potholes on Monday and expecting a license on Friday is unrealistic – I am a farmer this is often the operational norm, but there is too much at stake! Water Rights Officers and Resource managers need to assess the impacts in more than the superficial way that is done today. Real review and measurements need to be

recorded. Volumes of water added to the system, capacity of the infrastructure downstream, field scale and landscape scale habitat loss and soil suitability are all real issues that to date have been given lip service at best.

Who Pays? To this point unmanaged agricultural field drainage or agricultural development is heavily subsidized has many perverse incentives and negative externalities, the worst of all worlds. A land owner pays $25 and for this fee gets hours of the professional services from many provincial and non provincial staff people, not to mention the value of the lost ecosystem services. As farms grow into Agri-business into small corporations that control 10’s of 1000’s of acres I wonder if societies view will change on subsidizing the massive land clearing effort that continues today.

What Tools Are Needed? UARCD supports the request by many to acquire province wide LIDAR (light detecting and ranging) or accurate digital elevation mapping. This would reduce the redundancy and expensive field collection process as well as help find areas to compensate against the negative impacts of field drainage. A doubling of water rights field officers would also be a good step, currently one officer is in charge of a region that spans over nearly 10,000 square kilometers in our area, and this is grossly inadequate by most people standards and unfair to the people put in these positions. A regulatory environment which fosters a paradigm shift with respect to integrated land and water management would help, combined with the financial and technical support to create and demonstrate multiple output water management structures. This would be a welcome way to test the theory that we can improve agricultural development and at the same time enhance the biological diversity, ecosystem function and water management in the aspen parkland.

Biomass is an undervalued tool! Biomass such as cattails and willow are water loving species that bind nutrients, which when harvested, providing multiple outputs including fertilizer, soil amendments and pellet fuel. We just have to create an environment both physically and mentally to get the job done. Our fathers and grandfathers spend a career beating back the undesirable vegetation and I truly believe we will come to rely on these species more than they would have ever imagined! It all reminds me of a quote from John F Kennedy, I printed it off and it hangs on my office wall, I have altered it, to be a little less gender bias “The problems of the world cannot be solved by skeptics and cynics whose horizons are limited by the obvious realities. We need people who can dream of things that never were”

The Current 2012 29

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municipal GIS and how current they are. A lot of layer information can be extracted using high resolution imagery and many municipalities today are using it as a valuable and efficient tool to track change and extract specific assets, reducing the time consuming field work required with handheld GPS. LiDAR offers a quick and accurate means to collecting ground elevations over larger areas; however the full benefit of LiDAR does not exist until it combined with aerial or satellite imagery which is also an in-valuable tool for quality control of LiDAR classification and providing the visual information LiDAR may not provide.

Municipalities such St. Andrews, St. Clements, West, St. Paul, and East St. Paul have made the investment into a quality dataset consisting of high resolution (20cm) aerial imagery and a seamless wide area LiDAR model. This combined information for GIS and engineering will provide the resources necessary to help enhance the safety and quality if of living for their residents.

continued from page 15...

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30 The Current 2012

West Interlake Watershed Conservation District

Improving Watershed Health through Riparian Area and Aquatic Ecosystem Rehabilitation

Aquatic and riparian habitat rehabilitation is one of the West Interlake Watershed Conservation District’s most popular and successful programs.

Since the district was formed in 2008, aquatic and riparian assessments have been completed in three out of its four sub-watersheds. Through the Provincial Fisheries Enhancement Fund, external funding was secured to cover the majority of the costs required to hire a fisheries biologist and complete these assessments.

Each aquatic and riparian assessment report includes a detailed study of each tributary within the sub-watershed. This includes aerial and ground-truthing surveys, riparian classification, a summary of physical characteristics and topography, an assessment of drainage infrastructure, benthic and water sampling and fish utilization. From this assessment a report is produced. It includes a list of recommendations for the rehabilitation of degraded riparian and aquatic habitat, subsequently improving water quality and wildlife habitat.

Swan Creek Sub-WatershedThe Swan Creek Watershed Riparian and Aquatic Habitat Assessment was completed in 2009-2010. The report included twelve priority projects. The majority of these projects were recommendation for riparian fencing and off-site watering systems to decrease or eliminate cattle access to waterways within the Swan Creek watershed, and ultimately, improve water quality, riparian areas and fish habitat. To date, twelve of these projects have been initiated or completed by the district.

Lake Francis Sub-WatershedThe Lake Francis Watershed Riparian and Aquatic Habitat Assessment was completed in 2010-2011. The report identified eight priority projects. The District began to implement these priority projects in the 2012-13 season. These projects include riparian fencing and off-site watering systems which will help decrease cattle access to waterways within the Lake Francis watershed, and ultimately, improve water quality, riparian areas and fish habitat. It also includes the removal of barriers to fish migration.

Dog Lake Sub-WatershedThe Dog Lake Watershed Riparian and Aquatic Habitat Assessment was completed in 2011-2012. The report identified

nine priority projects. To date, the District has completed one of these projects and will continue to complete these priority projects in the 2012-13 season.

Shoal Lakes WatershedPlans for beginning the fourth riparian and aquatic assessment is scheduled for the 2013-2014 season. The District is planning to apply to the Provincial Fisheries Enhancement Fund with hopes of securing external funding to cost-share the completion of this report.

Other programmingThe District also offers many other programs including: abandoned well sealing, well inventory, well-head protection, winter off-site watering, surface water monitoring, forage seed assistance, sod seeder subsidy, rain barrels, composters, low-flow toilets rebate, as well as youth and adult education.

Below are some highlights of WIWCD’s programming results from 2011-2012:

• Initiated nine riparian improvement projects:o Purchased 16.4 kilometres of exclusion fencing o Relocated two livestock dugoutso Installed two off-site watering systemso Installed four cattle crossings

• Installed four winter watering systems• Visited 141 residences and sampled 141 wells• Transported 382 well samples to a laboratory in

Winnipeg• Sealed five abandoned wells• Sold 26 composters and 21 rain barrels at a subsidized

rate• Provided seven low-flow toilet rebates• Re-established 430 acres of forage crops with 11

landownersThe WIWCD plans to initiate their Integrated Watershed Management Plan in the Fall of 2012.

The Current 2012 31

West Souris River Conservation District

What’s new in the Lower Souris Watershed?

This year the West Souris River Conservation District (WSRCD) is looking at the larger picture in watershed health by incorporating partners to the South and

West of them in watershed planning. Our waterways flow through a natural unit, the watershed and are not cognitive of jurisdictional boundaries. This is often a point of concern for Conservation Districts in Manitoba, especially when your District borders another province to the west and the United States to the South.

WSRCD lies in the southwest corner of Manitoba, within the larger Lower Souris Watershed. This watershed spans across Saskatchewan, Manitoba and North Dakota, with an approximate land base of 19,000 sq/km.

In the past couple of years, WSRCD has engaged in much discussion with the Lower Souris Watershed Association in Saskatchewan and the North Dakota Department of Health – Water Quality Branch on potential partnerships and projects which will incorporate the entire expanse of the watershed, across all three entities. Recently the Saskatchewan Association of Watersheds held their annual educational conference; the event was located in Moosomin and featured presentations by all three entities on their respective work in Source Water Protection. From this, and other previous discussions, the WSRCD will be partnering with these two agencies to produce an educational water quality brochure, outlining the significance of sustainable project management which incorporates the extent of the entire watershed. The brochure will feature best management practices and information watershed residents can use to protect their water quality locally.

The brochure will be distributed throughout the summer and will be sent out to residents within the watershed. “We will be printing and circulating approximately 20,000 copies of the brochure to residents within the Lower Souris Watershed” says Dean Brooker, District Manager of WSRCD. “People need to know about the extent and management of the watershed they live in” says Brooker. The brochure will also be available online at the West Souris and Lower Souris Watershed websites.

Brooker hopes this brochure will be a first step in awareness and education, along with a greater partnership with both

the Lower Souris Watershed Association to the west and the North Dakota Department of Health – Water Quality Branch to the south. “I believe we are all at a point where we have realized cross-border partnership is essential to maintain and protect watershed health,” says Brooker, “last year, the flooding conditions within the watershed were an evident example of how important cooperation at a watershed level is.” These partnerships take into account best management practices, surface water management for both flood and drought occurrences, and water quality protection on a watershed basis. Water bodies and water movement does not occur in isolation, therefore neither should our watershed planning and programming. Planning for the entire watershed ensures we protect our water resources in a sustainable and integrated manner.

Assiniboine Park Zoo is a big advocate for the program and would like to see the program continue. Having the Saskatchewan group on board benefits both Manitoba’s project, SBOIC and most importantly, the owl. It allows for more available owl population to be released and potentially have a larger project in future seasons.

“The owls require habitat which is heavily grazed. This allows for a good vantage point to look for food and predators.” It is important that land managers are aware that cattle are extremely important in maintaining the Burrowing Owl’s habitat. “Cattle and owls can co-exist, there are zero negatives. Burrowing owls actually use cow manure to line their nest for the purpose of covering the scent of their young, it creates a microclimate in the burrow/nest, and attracts insects, the main food source for the owls,” says Froese.

This Manitoba Burrowing Owl Recovery Program is necessary to maintain a population of the species in our province. The steady decline of their population indicates that without assistance Burrowing Owls may be extirpated from the province.

If you spot a Burrowing Owl on your property or are interested in having artificial nest burrows installed please contact the Turtle Mountain Conservation District.

Alexandra Froese hopes to have her thesis completed by the end of October 2012.

continued from page 25...

32 The Current 2012

Whitemud Watershed Conservation District

Shelterbelts and Conservation Corridors

In 2011, the Whitemud Watershed Conservation District (WWCD), in partnership with the RM of North Cypress and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s Agroforestry

Development Centre (AAFC) began planting trees as part of their effort to promote innovation and restoration of windbreaks on the landscape. Two projects have been established; the first near Carberry, and the second near Ingelow. These sites presented an opportunity to reclaim and restore previously cleared Conservation Corridors, while providing demonstration sites of multi-species use, erosion control and associated benefits.

The Conservation Corridor Program was developed in partnership with municipalities throughout the Whitemud Conservation District, as a means of protecting and maintaining vegetation for wildlife habitat and erosion control on undeveloped road allowances. Over the years, many Conservation Corridors have been used as private pastures or have been cleared and cultivated for private use even though they are public lands.

The Carberry site, located on Highway #1, three miles east of Highway #5, was established in 2011. AAFC’s Eco-Buffer was chosen as the planting design, as it uses natural species and will eventually

become self-sustaining. The design incorporates eleven different species of trees and shrubs and will not only be an effective windbreak, but provide ideal habitat for many animal and bird species. This year, a second Eco-Buffer was established one mile south of Ingelow. Planting the Eco-Buffer is a more intensive and time-consuming task than a typical shelterbelt, as it requires planting up to six different species of trees in any given row at 60 cm spacing. Weed control is also more labour intensive and time consuming initially, as the tight spacing does not allow for easy mechanical weeding. However, the Eco-Buffer should achieve canopy closure faster than a traditional shelterbelt, reducing the overall number of years for maintenance. Signage describing these projects will be installed at these sites this summer.

The FutureAs farms and equipment become larger, shelterbelts seem to become more of a hindrance to the efficiency of operations and are ultimately removed, despite their ecological benefits. The RM of North Cypress has recognized the need for shelterbelts on the landscape, and aims to offer an innovative strategy to keeping trees as windbreaks on the landscape through a partnership with WWCD.

The RM and the District are investigating two options for shelterbelt designs – the first option is to plant shelterbelts along half-section lines, and the second option is to plant trees in pivot corners. Both designs were developed with irrigation pivots in mind, and aim to provide little to no obstruction to larger equipment.

To assist in the cost of these new shelterbelts, the RM has developed an incentive program which will reimburse landowners with a portion of the cost of establishment. The RM and WWCD are currently looking for demonstration sites which will showcase the effectiveness of shelterbelts when used with irrigation pivots. Any interested landowners are encouraged to contact the RM of North Cypress or WWCD.

Whitemud Watershed Conservation District would like to thank the RM of North Cypress, AAFC, and local landowners for their partnership, cooperation and efforts on these projects.

• Independently,orasateamofnomorethanfour,identifyanenvironmentalconcernthatimpactsyourwatershed.

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OpentoGrades7-12Participatingschoolswillalsobeeligiblefor$8,550 in rewards.Studentswhoimplementtheirideasareeligiblefor$10,000 in funding.

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Ifyouhaveanyquestions,pleasecontact

Nathalie BaysProgramCoordinatorPhone:(204)467-3308,Email:n_bays@ducks.caOakHammockMarshInterpretiveCentre1SnowGooseBay@Hwy.220,OakHammockMarsh,MBR0C2Z0

What can you do to improve your watershed

CARING FOR OUR WATERSHEDS™

Manitoba

?caringforwatersheds_ohm_2012.indd 1 12-07-30 11:39 AM

34 The Current 2012

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The Current 2012 35

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Conservation District awards are given to Manitoba families, individuals, businesses or organizations that have contributed to enhancing our local water resources. Conservation Districts each select recipients who have demonstrated a significant difference within their local watersheds.

Manitoba Conservation Districts Association recognizes all recipients at its annual Conservation Conference in December. Manitoba Co-operator is a sponsor and partner of the Conservation District Awards Reception, which acknowledges all award recipients.

The Conservation District Award acknowledges those who demonstrate effective, long-term conservation principles, improving our natural environment.

Conservation efforts include, but are not limited to:

● Improving local water quality

● Restoring and preserving wetlands

● Natural habitat protection

● Sustainable agriculture

● Encouraging environmental education

● Promoting environmental ethics and awareness ● Partnering within local communities on

conservation projects

Conservation District Awards

GEOMATICS CONSULTING

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1333 Dugald RoadWinnipeg, MB R2J 0H3

P 204.775.1211F 204.783.6304

37th Annual Conservation Conference Dec 3rd & 4th, 2012 - Keystone Centre, Brandon, MB

Thriving with ChangeFeaturing Dr. David SuzukiAward-Winning Scientist, Environmentalist & Broadcaster (keynote speaker and book signing)

David T. Suzuki PhD, Co-Founder of the David Suzuki Foundation, is an award-winning scientist, environmentalist and broadcaster.

David has received consistently high acclaim for his thirty years of award-winning work in broadcasting, explaining the complexities of science in a compelling, easily understood way. He is well known to millions as the host of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation’s popular science television series, The Nature of Things with David Suzuki.

An internationally respected geneticist, David was a full Professor at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver from 1969 until his retirement in 2001. He is professor emeritus with UBC’s Sustainable Development Research Institute.

The author of 52 books, David Suzuki is recognized as a world leader in sustainable ecology.

This years 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.

2012 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

Tickets for David Suzuki $55 plus GST / Entire Conference $195 plus GST

Win 2 Free DaviD Suzuki ticketS

Question: When did Manitoba’s second largest urban

centre join a Conservation District?

Answer:

Name:

Address:

Phone #:

940 Princess Ave, Unit 4, Office 2, Brandon, MB R7A 0P6 or email answer to info@mcda.ca with the above information.

Entry Deadline November 5thRegistration opens July 18, 2012 Please note agenda items may be subject to change