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MANITOBA WATERSHED ATLAS
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Water related issues in Manitoba have always been at the forefront of conservation concerns and this is very true today as water issues continue to dominate media headlines and demand the public's attention. Recent and current issues in Manitoba include:
- pollution in Lake Winnipeg;
- the inter-basin transfer of water which will result from construction of the Devils Lake Outlet;
- ongoing and upcoming Hydro issues, including the planned construction of new dams;
- climate change and its effect on water levels;
- Red River Valley flooding concerns;
- the expansion of the Red River Floodway;
- water withdrawal and/or contamination issues associated with livestock and large scale agricultural operations;
- the well-being of commercial and sport fisheries; and,
- eco-tourism opportunities along Manitoba's waterways.
Water issues have increased in such importance that the Manitoba Government created a new Department of Water Stewardship and embarked on constructing a Water Strategy for the province. It also convened the Lake Winnipeg Stewardship Board, which has been meeting since November of 2003, and recently announced plans for a Lake Manitoba Stewardship Board as well.
There are upwards of 50 environmental groups in the province whose work relates in some way to water issues, and 30 of these have expressed interest in joining the Manitoba Eco-Network's Water Caucus.
As information about water issues begins to proliferate, we find that it is most often expressed in textual reports, and if covered by the media, accompanied by pictures and/or video. Only rarely, is water information given in spatial format (maps) and furthermore, if a map is evident it is usually dominated by imposed political jursidictions. Water related issues are seldom displayed within the context of their natural watershed boundaries.
The Watershed Atlas project is an effort to remedy this situation, by providing maps demonstrating the "human footprint" in watersheds around Manitoba. The initial maps are being compiled from the various data sets housed at the Eco-Network's GIS/Mapping Centre. Environmental or community-based groups will be able to arrange to add to the maps, contributing their own data of interest, to build a more complete picture.
Our first maps in this series are on the Nelson River watershed.
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| Copyright 2007 Manitoba Eco-Network |