Title

Authors 1

Author Name

Environment and Climate Change Canada

Type of Name

Organizational

Email

Affiliation

Environment and Climate Change Canada

ORCID ID

Name

State of Lake Winnipeg, 2nd Edition, Technical Report

Description

Lake Winnipeg is a valuable freshwater resource known for its fisheries, its plentiful beaches, and its importance to the traditional livelihood of many First Nations and Métis communities. The lake supports both commercial and angling fisheries that add significantly to Manitoba’s economy through recreational spending and through commercial sales to domestic and international markets. The beaches are a strong economic driver for local communities attracting visitors, cottagers and permanent residents alike. Beaches in the south basin of Lake Winnipeg are easily accessible, only a short drive from Winnipeg and visitors to the beaches can exceed 30,000 per day, especially during the busy summer months when people head to the shore to enjoy the lake. The lake is also an important part of Manitoba’s hydroelectric system. Its outflow is regulated allowing the production of electricity at northern generating stations.

Format

PDF

Resource Category

documents

Name

State of Lake Winnipeg 2nd Edition Highlights

Description

Lake Winnipeg is a valuable freshwater resource known for its fisheries, its plentiful beaches, and its importance to the traditional livelihood of many First Nations and Métis communities. The lake supports both commercial and angling fisheries that add significantly to Manitoba’s economy through recreational spending and through commercial sales to domestic and international markets. The beaches are a strong economic driver for local communities attracting visitors, cottagers and permanent residents alike. Beaches in the south basin of Lake Winnipeg are easily accessible, only a short drive from Winnipeg and can exceed 30,000 visitors per day, especially during the busy summer months. The lake is also an important part of Manitoba’s hydroelectric system. Its outflow is regulated allowing the production of electricity at northern generating stations.

Format

PDF

Resource Category

documents

Name

État du lac Winnipeg, 2e édition, Faits Saillants

Description

Highlights of the 2nd edition of the State of Lake Winnipeg Report (French).

Format

PDF

Resource Category

documents

Name

Lake Winnipeg Basin Program Symposium Summary Report

Description

Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) held a Lake Winnipeg Basin Program Symposium on March 20th and 21st, 2019 in Winnipeg, Manitoba in conjunction with a number of other Lake Winnipeg-related events during Canada Water Week, including the Lake Winnipeg Research Consortium’s annual Science Workshop and the launch of “Lake Winnipeg DataStream” by the Gordon Foundation. Together, the week provided the space to share new knowledge derived from scientific studies conducted on the lake and in the basin, showcase on-the-ground actions on nutrient reduction, and highlight the important collaborative partnerships that are required to address the complex issues related to water quality and quantity, including climate change. Approximately 100 stakeholders attended each day of the Symposium representing government and non-governmental organizations (NGOs), scientists, Indigenous governments, organizations and communities and regional conservation districts.

Format

PDF

Resource Category

documents

Name

Lake Winnipeg Basin Initiative, Phase I Report

Description

Activities throughout the four-year, $17.7 million Lake Winnipeg Basin Initiative (LWBI) focused on supporting stewardship activities amongst external and community groups; facilitation and coordination amongst federal and provincial agencies; and filling priority research, monitoring and information needs in Lake Winnipeg and its watershed.

Format

PDF

Resource Category

documents

Name

Lake Winnipeg Basin Initiative Phase II Report

Description

This report has been compiled to highlight the activities conducted during Phase II (2012-2017) of the Lake Winnipeg Basin Initiative (LWBI) of Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC). It contains an overview of the accomplishments achieved under each pillar of the LWBI: Science, Stewardship and Transboundary Partnerships. The Science section outlines the projects undertaken by ECCC scientists including a project overview, results and plans for future research. A full list of scientific publications can be found in Appendix B. The Stewardship section describes the LWBI’s grants & contributions program, including funding priorities, eligibility requirements and the application process. This report also describes the results achieved by these projects, with descriptions of each project highlighted in Appendix A. Finally, the Transboundary Partnerships section outlines the interjurisdictional and policy work carried out by ECCC in collaboration with a multitude of partners. Problems and solutions to the challenges facing Lake Winnipeg are interprovincial and international in scope. Any solutions for improving the health of the lake will take time and require the coordinated efforts of multiple stakeholders in the Lake Winnipeg Basin.

Format

PDF

Resource Category

documents

Name

Lake Winnipeg Basin Initiative Progress Report

Description

This report has been compiled to outline the activities conducted during the first two years (2008/09–2009/10) of the Lake Winnipeg Basin Initiative (LWBI). Significant progress has been made in implementing the LWBI science plan, as well as in the areas of stewardship and facilitating governance. Activities have focused on developing the physical, chemical and biological knowledge required to describe the sources, transport, fate and effects of nutrients in Lake Winnipeg and throughout the watershed. Hydrological and climate models for Lake Winnipeg and Lake of the Woods have been developed to examine relationships between a variety of physical, chemical and biological processes and characteristics. Remote sensing satellite imagery data has been gathered and used to track algal blooms and assess water quality conditions. Isotope assessment of fish, foodwebs, lake sediments, and nutrients is generating important information and understanding of Lake Winnipeg and Lake of the Woods ecosystems and nutrient processes. Field work was initiated to examine the transport of nutrients in agricultural watersheds, the impact of snowmelt on nutrient transfer, and the impact of climate change and variability on the water cycle and its implications for nutrient transfer. A web-based information portal was developed in conjunction with stakeholders, to gather, store and share data concerning the watershed, and provide users with the tools and information they need to make effective water management decisions. Work began to compile and assess existing and historic data on Lake Winnipeg, in order to provide a baseline against which the results of current and future research can be compared. Most of the science projects and activities will continue throughout the remaining two years of the LWBI, during which the focus will be on completing these activities and synthesizing the results. This information will provide a better understanding of the nutrient dynamics in the watershed, and provide the basis for establishing sustainable nutrient objectives and water quality indicators for Lake Winnipeg. The Lake Winnipeg Basin Stewardship Fund was launched in 2008/09. Approximately $1.7 million was approved for 25 community stewardship projects in the first three funding rounds. A Canada-Manitoba Memorandum of Understanding Respecting Lake Winnipeg and the Lake Winnipeg Basin was developed, to formalize collaboration and coordination of activities amongst the federal and provincial governments in support of Lake Winnipeg. More details about the activities and progress of the LWBI from 2008/09 to 2009/10 are contained in the following pages. A final report will be prepared in 2012, following the conclusion of the Initiative.

Format

PDF

Resource Category

documents