DIVIDED OVER WATER: Outlet channels spark controversy

DIVIDED OVER WATER: Outlet channels spark controversy

Farmers on the south end of Lake Manitoba support the proposed channels to save their land from flooding, but the projects will slice through the farms of dozens of north-shore farmers who worry they won’t be adequately compensated

A recent $540-million funding pledge is pushing forward the Lake Manitoba and Lake St. Martin outlet channels and reaction from farmers depends on where they are along the shoreline. For those whose anxieties rise with the water levels every time the Assiniboine River floods, the new momentum is welcome news. Farmers along Lake Manitoba’s south

Local projects for multi-beneficial water management were cited by staff with Seine-Rat River Conservation District speaking at the 42nd annual Manitoba Conservation Districts Association convention in December.

CDs cite need for multi-benefit water control projects

Flood preparations alone won’t buy a litre of drought protection, 
say MCDA speakers


Will there be flooding? Will there be drought? Planning for both is essential to help ward off the financial hits these weather extremes bring, speakers at last month’s Manitoba Conservation Districts Association convention said. In the Seine-Rat River Conservation District (SRRCD) they’re looking at ways to be ready for whatever climate change brings, and to


Lake Winnipeg algae blooms can create, under certain conditions,
powerful neurotoxins.

Lake Winnipeg blooms create neurotoxins

Researchers say the substances have been associated with 
several health conditions

Manitoba’s largest lake is the host to potentially harmful toxins caused by cyanobacteria, more commonly known as “blue-green algae.” Researchers from the University of British Columbia, working with the Lake Winnipeg Research Consortium, were looking for a specific toxin called BMAA that’s been linked with conditions ranging from Alzheimer’s to Lou Gehrig’s disease. “Cyanobacteria blooms

Legislative Affairs sign

Bill 24 to allow new hog barns

A diverse group of individuals and organizations spend two nights making the case for and against the hog industry

Untreated manure is good for the soil, anaerobic digesters are ineffective, hogs will poison Lake Winnipeg, farm expansion has ignored Treaty Land Entitlements and immigration relies on the pork industry. Those are just a sampling of the varied opinions heard by an all-party committee of the provincial legislature last week during two days of public

Delegates discuss soil health issues, solutions and what should be included in a hypothetical soil health kit during a breakout session of the Global 4-H Summit.

4-H’ers dig into soil health policy and education

Soil health was a repeat topic as 4-H members from around the world turned their attention to sustainable agriculture and food security

It’s time to think about what lies below our feet. That was the message delegates from 35 countries received from multiple speakers at the recent Global 4-H Summit in Ottawa. Soil health emerged from several workshops during the third day of the July 11-14 conference, themed around sustainable agriculture and food security. Syngenta Canada, also


Lake Winnipeg, June 2017.

New report paints dire picture of Canadian freshwater systems

Watershed Report is a first-time assessment of all 25 of Canada’s watersheds

The long-held view of Canada’s fresh water as both clean and abundant is being challenged by a new report detailing the threats facing this country’s lakes, streams and rivers. The World Wildlife Fund-Canada’s Watershed Report, a national assessment is a first-ever attempt to document the state of Canadian watersheds, including its 25 watersheds and 167

A miniature watershed demonstrates how water sources are linked during the first Brandon water festival May 13.

Conservation district holds a water festival

Erosion, water patterns and pollution were among the themes explored at Brandon’s first water festival

Science beat out commerce in one corner of the Brandon Shoppers Mall May 13 as the Assiniboine Hills Conservation District hosted its first home water festival. Conservation district manager Neil Zalluski said the event focused on public awareness of conservation district operations, many of which are largely unknown to the general public. “The kids are

Editorial: Pigs and protests

Any changes to the rules governing the operation, permitting or construction of hog barns in Manitoba are always going to be controversial. This is a well-worn debate with both sides set to battle over perceived risks to the environment or the industry, depending on the advocate’s point of view. What is a little surprising is


Hog Watch has returned after a decade-long hiatus fuelled by concerns over changes to environmental regulations.

Proposed changes fuel return of advocacy group

Hog Watch is back and fearful that proposed changes to environmental regulations 
could do serious damage to Manitoba waterways

Hog Watch is back. Proposed changes to manure management in the province have revived the dormant activist group. Hog Watch first formed in 1999 with the aim of monitoring the expansion of Manitoba’s hog industry, but after a moratorium on new hog barns was introduced by the previous NDP government in 2006, the group disbanded.

Assiniboine River flows continue to rise, rain forecast could raise flood risk

Manitoba Flood Bulletin No. 15

Province of Manitoba – Manitoba Infrastructure’s Hydrologic Forecast Centre reports overland flooding and tributary flows continue to subside across parts of southern Manitoba. Flows in the Assiniboine River are continuing to rise. Weather forecasts are predicting strong winds for April 13 to 16, as a low-pressure system begins to move from west to east across