Government Documents and Reports
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Item type: Item , Access status: Open Access , PROTOCOLS FOR MEASURING BIODIVERSITY: Phytoplankton in Freshwater(2025-08-24) Findlay, David L.; Kling, H.J.This report describes best practices for the collection and analysis of phytoplankton in freshwater.Item type: Item , Access status: Open Access , Lake Winnipeg Basin Initiative Progress Report(Government of Canada, 2010) Environment and Climate Change Canada, Province of ManitobaThis 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.Item type: Item , Access status: Open Access , Lake Winnipeg Basin Initiative Phase II Report(Government of Canada, 2019) Environment and Climate Change Canada, Province of Manitoba; Environment and Climate Change Canada, Province of ManitobaThis 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.Item type: Item , Access status: Open Access , Lake Winnipeg Basin Initiative, Phase I Report(Government of Canada, 2022) Environment and Climate Change Canada, Province of ManitobaActivities 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.Item type: Item , Access status: Open Access , Lake Winnipeg Basin Program Symposium Summary Report(Government of Canada, 2019-03) Environment and Climate Change Canada, Province of ManitobaEnvironment 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.Item type: Item , Access status: Open Access , État du lac Winnipeg, 2e édition, Faits Saillants(Government of Canada, 2020) Environment and Climate Change Canada, Province of ManitobaLe lac Winnipeg est une précieuse source d’eau douce; il est reconnu pour ses pêcheries, ses nombreuses plages et le rôle important qu’il joue dans le mode de subsistance traditionnel de nombreuses communautés des Premières Nations et métisses. Le lac soutient les secteurs de la pêche commerciale et sportive et enrichit considérablement l’économie du Manitoba en stimulant les dépenses de loisirs et les ventes commerciales aux marchés national et international. Les plages constituent un important moteur économique pour les collectivités locales et attirent tant les visiteurs que les villégiateurs et les résidents permanents. À courte distance en voiture de Winnipeg, les plages du bassin sud du lac Winnipeg sont faciles d’accès et peuvent accueillir plus de 30 000 visiteurs par jour, en particulier durant la haute saison estivale. Le lac est aussi un élément important du réseau hydroélectrique du Manitoba. Son débit sortant est régulé pour permettre la production d’électricité dans les centrales du nord.Item type: Item , Access status: Open Access , State of Lake Winnipeg 2nd Edition Highlights(Government of Canada, 2020) Environment and Climate Change Canada, Province of Manitoba; Environment and Climate Change Canada, Province of ManitobaLake 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.Item type: Item , Access status: Open Access , Populations de poissons - Série d'indicateurs du bassin du lac Winnipeg(Environment and Climate Change Canada, 2018-02-02) Environment and Climate Change CanadaLe lac Winnipeg abrite une importante pêche de subsistance et de lucratives pêches commerciales et récréatives. Le doré jaune et le doré noir sont les principales espèces ciblées par ces pêches. Les petits poissons (poissons-proies) dont se nourrissent ces dorés sont également importants pour la santé générale des stocks de poissons ciblés par les pêches. La Direction générale de la faune et des pêches de Développement durable Manitoba surveille chaque année le doré jaune, le doré noir et les poissons-proies dans le lac Winnipeg. L’indicateur des populations de poissons rend compte de la biomasse (poids) des dorés jaunes et des dorés noirs, de la condition (poids relatif) des dorés jaunes et de la biomasse (poids) des poissons-proies qui ont été calculés à partir des données de cette surveillance.Item type: Item , Access status: Open Access , Série d’indicateurs du bassin du lac Winnipeg(Environment and Climate Change Canada, 2018-03) Environment and Climate Change CanadaLe lac Winnipeg est le dixième plus grand lac d’eau douce du monde en superficie et le troisième plus grand réservoir d’eau douce. Son bassin hydrographique s’étend sur quatre provinces et quatre États américains. Le lac est important pour les Manitobains puisqu’il abrite une pêche commerciale et une pêche de subsistance considérables et constitue une source d’eau potable pour les résidents permanents et saisonniers, ainsi qu’une destination récréative et touristique. Les rivières qui alimentent le lac y transportent du phosphore, de l’azote et des matières solides en suspension provenant de l’ensemble du bassin hydrographique. Les rivières transportent également des polluants de sources ponctuelles et diffuses, comme les effluents municipaux et industriels et les eaux de ruissellement. Par conséquent, le lac subit une eutrophisation (enrichissement accéléré en éléments nutritifs), et la fréquence et la gravité des proliférations d’algues augmentent. D’autres aspects des activités humaines dans le bassin hydrographique du lac Winnipeg sont à prendre en considération : prélèvement d’eau; drainage; dérivation d’eau; érosion du sol; pratiques agricoles; and changements dans l’étendue des milieux humides.Item type: Item , Access status: Open Access , Fish Populations - Lake Winnipeg Basin Indicator Series(Environment Canada and Manitoba Water Stewardship, 2018-03) Environment adn Climate Change Canada; Manitoba GovernmentLake Winnipeg supports an important subsistence fishery, and valuable recreational and commercial fisheries. Walleye and sauger are the primary target species. Small fish (prey fish) that walleye and sauger eat are also important to the overall health of the fishery. Manitoba Sustainable Development, Wildlife and Fisheries Branch, monitors walleye, sauger, and prey fish in Lake Winnipeg each year. This indicator reports on the weight (biomass) of walleye and sauger, condition (relative weight) and mortality of walleye, and on the weight (biomass) of prey fish, using this monitoring data.Item type: Item , Access status: Open Access , Lake Winnipeg Basin Indicator Series(Environment Canada and Manitoba Water Stewardship, 2019-03) Environment and Climate Change Canada; Manitoba GovernmentEnvironmental indicators are measurements of the condition of an ecosystem, or the state of its health. They condense complex environmental data into understandable information, and can help show progress towards targets or goals. Examples of indicators include: descriptions of observed conditions within the lake, such as water quality conditions, other ecosystem conditions, such as the health of the fishery, watershed indicators, such as status of wetlands in the basinItem type: Item , Access status: Open Access , State of Lake Winnipeg, 2nd Edition, Technical Report(Government of Canada, 2020-03) Environment and Climate Change Canada; Province of ManitobaLake 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.Item type: Item , Access status: Open Access , 2019 Lake Winnipeg Basin Program Symposium Summary Report(2019-08) Environment and Climate Change CanadaEnvironment 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.Item type: Item , Access status: Open Access , Algae, Cyanobacteria and Water Quality(Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, 2002-03) Scott, N.Algae and cyanobacteria are tiny organisms that occur naturally in saltwater and freshwater. Individual organisms can often only be seen under a microscope, although with some species , individuals can join together to form colonies visible to the naked eye. It is important to understand the similarities and differences between algae and cyanobacteria as both groups can have distinct impacts on surface water quality.Item type: Item , Access status: Open Access , Water in the West: Under Pressure(Senate Canada, 2005-11) Standing Senate Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural ResourcesIt is an incontrovertible fact that we cannot live without water. Like air, water is a basic need. Water is sometimes described as "the provider of the infrastructure for life." It is fundamentally important. As Canadians, we generally don't spend much time thinking about water because we assume that there is plenty of it in this country to which we have ready access. Because most of us don't pay very much for water, we tend to take it for granted. We don't think we have a problem. The fact is that certain regions of Canada, notably in the prairies, face important water challenges. Some parts of the prairies are semi-arid. In certain areas water consumption now matches or possibly exceeds what is renewed every year. Your Committee heard from reputable scientists who consider that Alberta is the area of greatest concern because "in addition to being an extremely arid part of the country, it is developing rapidly." Demand for water typically rises in tandem with population growth and economic expansion. Rapidly growing cities and municipalities, as well as ranchers, farmers and industrial users, such as oil and gas producers, all compete for access to water. Scarce prairie water is used to grow feed for cattle, flush toilets, and, increasingly, to extract oil and gas. It is also used to extract and upgrade bitumen.Item type: Item , Access status: Open Access , Understanding SARA: How aquatic species are listed under Canada's Species at Risk Act(Fisheries and Oceans Canada, 2006) Fisheries and Oceans CanadaHundreds of Canadian wildlife species today face the risk of extinction. Some are vital characters in our diverse cultures and histories; some are the last of their kind in the world and all of them have an essential role to play in the environments where they live. In the aquatic world, these species are astoundingly diverse ranging from tiny freshwater molluscs to roving giants of the oceans like the North Atlantic right whale and the famous blue whale. The question is not if we should try to protect them from vanishing forever. The question is how to go about it. Canada's Species at Risk Act (SARA) is an important part of the answer.Item type: Item , Access status: Open Access , Manitoba and Climate Change: A Primer(The Manitoba Clean Environment Commission and the International Institute for Sustainable Development, 2001) International Institute for Sustainable DevelopmentBy the end of this century, Manitoba will be 4-6 degrees C warmer; on average, than it is today. Sounds great? It isn't. Manitoba is particularly sensitive and vulnerable to climate change because of the important role that renewable resources- like forests and agriculture- play in our economy. Change of this magnitude would impact our economy, ecology, and health and well-being.Item type: Item , Access status: Open Access , Lake Winnipeg management options: lake science and lessons from international best practice(International Institute for Sustainable Development, 2007-07) Roy, Dimple; Venema, Henry David; Barg, StephanThis report documents the first part of a multi-year research agreement between the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) and Environment Canada. The goal of this ongoing research is the effective governance and management of the Lake Winnipeg watershed. The objectives of this research project are to identify effective nutrient management tools and institutional capacity for this purpose.Item type: Item , Access status: Open Access , Glacier surveys by the Water Survey of Canada(Water Survey of Canada, 1972) Reid, I. A.Glaciers act as natural regulators, storing water in winter and releasing it in summer. To gain some understanding of this phenomenon and the contribution which glaciers make to streamflow, the predecessors of the Water Survey of Canada began glacier surveys in 1945. The earlier surveys offered some clue to the role of the glacier but the data collected were not sufficient to provide the overall picture. Following adoption of photogrammetric survey techniques, however, the glacier surveys have evolved to the extent that it is now feasible to produce a series of maps from which the linear, areal, directional and volumetric changes can be determined. This paper traces the glacier survey work from its inception in 1945. In addition, the results of two methods for determining the average contribution of a glacier to streamflow are summarized. The surveys have revealed that the glaciers, in general, are becoming smaller in size; hence, the regulation effect is diminishing.Item type: Item , Access status: Open Access , Recommendations for regulating phosphorus from livestock operations in Manitoba(Manitoba Phosphorus Expert Committee, 2006-01) The Manitoba Phosphorus Expert CommitteeThe primary concern surrounding phosphorus in Manitoba is the eutrophication of waterways and water bodies and in particular, Lake Winnipeg. While there are many sources of phosphorus - natural and man-made, a particular concern exists related to the land application of manure and its potential impact on phosphorus in Manitoba soils and in surface waters.