Flood or drought: Which should we expect?

Recent rains have been more than welcome here in the Red River basin after a summer of drought-like conditions in much of the basin and surrounding region. Given the large floods of 1997, 2010, 2011 — and smaller floods in between — you would never have thought we would be looking so anxiously to the


Are you ready for the next big flood?

Few of us remember the Red River basin flood of 1950. Even fewer were prepared for the flood when it hit. The dry 1930s and modest flooding of the 1940s had lulled basin communities into complacency. Then, a winter of heavy snow followed by heavy spring rains resulted in flooding all along the main stem

How much flood protection is enough?

How much protection against flooding is enough? This question is often asked in the Red River basin. The Red River Basin Commission’s recent study, Long Term Flood Solutions for the Red River Basin (LTFS), found little consensus on the answer to this question. As a result, flood protection practices in the basin’s communities and municipalities


Red River nutrient management plan in the works

Plans for a nutrient management strategy for the Red River watershed have been endorsed by the International Red River Board of the International Joint Commission. Representatives of North Dakota, Minnesota and Manitoba, the Red River Basin Commission (RRBC) and federal agencies from both countries have agreed to work together across various jurisdictions within the watershed.

Fall Bird-Feeding Tips

Red River Basin Commission Fall is a dynamic season of change and adaptation for birds, providing you the opportunity to attract migratory birds in addition to the permanent residents that visit your bird feeders year round. Food habits change as seasonal food supplies change. The high-protein insect diet characteristic of many birds in summer changes


Making Election Hay

Although some were cautious in their praise, few in the farming community had any quibbles with the special compensation package the province announced to help farmers cope with losses related to flooding and livestock lost in the late-April blizzard. And rightly so. The package, at least on the surface, is comprehensive and goes beyond what

Past Grads Honoured By University Of Manitoba

Two past graduates of the University of Manitoba’s faculty of agricultural and food sciences were recognized recently for their outstanding contributions to Manitoba’s agricultural community. Harold Froese, egg producer and industry leader, and Herm Martens, community leader and dedicated volunteer, received Certificates of Merit from the faculty of agricultural and food sciences at the University


Making Friends With The Enemy

You can’t help but marvel at Manitoba’s capacity for fighting water. It’s become part of who we are as a province – Herculean efforts of people, money, sand and machines against the forces of nature. As we went to press this week, it was not clear who would win this latest round. This province is

Manitobans Honoured For Community Leadership

Herm Martens, a well-known figure on Manitoba’s agricultural and municipal fronts was presented with an Outstanding Community Leadership Award at the recent Capturing Opportunities conference. Martens, who served as reeve of the RM of Morris from 1995 until last year, was honoured for his community service as chair of the Pembina Valley Water Co-op, the