Manitoba Conservation Districts are a Provincial and Municipal partnership that is directed towards water and soil conservation.
Kelsey Watershed District was formed in January of 1999. Of all the 18 Conservation Districts in the Province of MB, we are the most diverse as we are surrounded by numerous ecosystems. Our borders are the RM of Kelsey. Within these boundaries as well as outside these boundaries is our Watershed. The Saskatchewan River Basin stretches from the province of Alberta through Saskatchewan and Manitoba emptying into Hudson Bay. This watershed envelops many lakes, rivers, potholes, swamps and marshlands. With the help of our partners, the Rural Municipality of Kelsey and Manitoba Sustainable Development, Kelsey Watershed District’s mandate is to address watershed issues and offer incentive based programming to improve soil and water quality, aquatic and riparian health, and provide educational programming. After all everything and everyone is reliant on a healthy water supply.
3Watershed
Values
Surface Water Fluctuations
Water Quality
Ecosystem Health
The Carrot- Saskatchewan River Watershed (Figure 2) covers 4,821 km2 and is home to 11,000 people. This watershed is dominated by boreal forest, lakes, rivers, streams, bogs and marshes. It is part of the larger Saskatchewan River Basin (Figure 3, page 4), originating in the Rocky Mountains of Alberta and Montana, and extending across three provinces to Lake Winnipeg in Manitoba. The Saskatchewan River begins in Alberta and travels 1,940 km east where it enters Lake Winnipeg at Grand Rapids. From its tributaries the river drains an area of 340,000 km2.
In the watershed, surface water generally flows in an eastward direction through two main rivers, the Carrot and the Saskatchewan Rivers. The Saskatchewan River travels through very flat topography and has changed its path a number of times, a process called avulsion. Locally, the Carrot River is the most significant tributary to the Saskatchewan River, and joins the Saskatchewan River near The Pas. The watershed is home to numerous lakes and wetlands - the largest lakes being Saskeram Lake, Rocky Lake, Root Lake and Kelsey Lake.
Although not part of the watershed, this IWMP includes the area surrounding Cranberry Portage, which rests along the eastern edge of Lake Athapapuskow. This area has been included because it is part of the Rural Municipality (RM) of Kelsey and Kelsey Watershed District. The conservation district has identified targeted incentive programming in this area to include as part of the IWMP.
Full Integrated Watershed Management Plan
The Carrot-Saskatchewan River Integrated Watershed Management Plan encompasses the area of land in Manitoba which contributes water to the Carrot River and the Saskatchewan River watershed. The Kelsey Conservation District is leading plan development in partnership with the Provincial government and a team of supporting agencies, interest groups and watershed residents.
English Summary
The purpose of the Carrot-Saskatchewan River Integrated Watershed Management Plan (IWMP) is to positively influence land and water management, with a focus on protecting water, aquatic ecosystems and drinking water sources in the Carrot-Saskatchewan River Watershed.
atet kestānechekana nepe astwawen oche
oma nanakachetawe kanāchekāwin Carrot River Integrated Watershed Management Plan (IWMP) ka echekatāk nepe oma kananakachetanewakx
The Current
The Current is published annually as the official publication of Manitoba Conservation Districts Association. It features editorials from many of the 18 Conservation Districts within Manitoba.