Where Water, Wellness & Communities Meet
IN THIS ISSUE:
Learn tips and tricks to lake properties to help maintain water levels.
An overview of the recent workshop with information on eco-buffer shelterbelts and their impact on biodiversity.
TABLE OF CONTENTS UPCOMING EVENTS
JANUARY 2025
Jan. 14-16 - Western Canadian Crop Production Show, WTC Saskatoon at Prairieland, Saskatoon
Jan. 22 - Northwest District Advisory Committee Meeting, Tisdale
Jan. 29 - Nitrogen Management Workshop, Grenfell Legacy Inn
FEBRUARY 2025
Feb. 6 - Nitrogen Management Workshop, Milestone Elks Hall
Congratulations to the Grade 3 class at W.F. Ready Elementary School, for winning the rain drop colouring contest at the Saskatchewan Association of Watersheds (SAW) booth at Agribition. We hope you enjoyed your pizza lunch!
Feb. 7-9 - Holistic Management Conference, The Prince of Wales Cultural and Recreation Centre Assiniboia
Feb. 12 - Southwest District Advisory Committee Meeting, Shaunavon
Feb. 25 - Northwest District Advisory Committee Meeting, Saskatoon
Feb. 26 - Nitrogen Management Workshop, Carnduff Legion Hall
Feb. 28 - Southeast District Advisory Committee Meeting, Regina
MARCH 2025
March 6 - Off-Site Watering Workshop, North Battleford
March 11-13 - Annual SARM Convention, Prairieland Park, Saskatoon
March 18 - ALUS Workshop, Kerry Vickar Centre, Melfort
APRIL 2025
April 13-16 - Annual SUMA Convention, Saskatoon
USING LAKE STEWARDSHIP TO ADDRESS WATER LEVELS IN SASKATCHEWAN LAKES
Water levels are an important part of Saskatchewan lakes. For example, boaters, anglers, fish and wildlife, resort communities, and industries depend on there being enough water in lakes to support their activities. However, lake water levels are continually altered by domestic and industrial consumption, drainage and land conversion, and climate-based extremes such as drought and flooding. Lake stewardship strategies help minimize changes to lake water levels brought about by these challenges.
To address water level fluctuations due to domestic and industrial consumption, communities should collaborate with industry and government to develop lake water management plans. Plans should include water consumption data from all parties and identify key consumers, current consumption amounts, predicted future consumption amounts, and what the appropriate lake levels are to sustain communities, industry, and habitat.
Landowners and lake property owners should also do their part to limit fluctuations in lake water levels. Property owners should follow all applicable laws when developing areas along a lake and should retain native landscapes and riparian areas wherever possible to maintain natural water infiltration. Property owners should always be wary of their water use and try to reduce water consumption by:
• fixing leaking lines, faucets, or fixtures.
• restricting grass or garden watering to cool times of the day.
• using rain catchers or barrels to store rainwater for later use.
• repurposing grey water where possible.
Water level changes brought on by climate-based extremes including droughts and floods can be addressed by lake communities via emergency preparedness plans. Emergency preparedness plans are a proactive strategy to plan for extreme events, and should outline basal water consumption amounts, water rationing guidelines during drought, and barrier placement or emergency evacuation guidelines during floods.
Using lake stewardship techniques to manage or prepare for water level fluctuation in lakes is crucial for the protection of lake users and lake community infrastructure. Over the next two years, SAW will be developing a lake stewardship strategy in the Northwest Watershed District. Two lake stewardship workshops focusing on lake stewardship practices and four shoreline restoration demonstration sites will be hosted at Jackfish and Murray Lake in the summer of 2025. Please visit the SAW website for more information about this project.
APPLYING A LANDSCAPE APPROACH TO IMPROVE BIODIVERSITY: ECO-BUFFER SHELTERBELT WORKSHOP
On December 12, 2024, SAW hosted a landowner engagement workshop in Borden, Saskatchewan, on eco-buffer shelterbelts and pollinator species as part of the Applying a Landscape Approach to Improve Biodiversity project, which is funded by Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC). Part of the project deliverables include the establishment of eco-buffer shelterbelts in riparian areas within the North Saskatchewan River Watershed, as well as educational workshops about beneficial management practices (BMPs), such as eco-buffer shelterbelts, that improve habitat.
The workshop began with information on SAW programming and funding opportunities, followed by a presentation from
Regan Ferguson on planting pollinator-friendly plant species in marginal areas or adjacent to cropland, the positive environmental impact of these practices, and the economic benefits. Katherine Finn provided an overview on how to design eco-buffer shelterbelts on different landscapes, and eco-buffer shelterbelt design considerations and maintenance. Jennifer Bogdan presented on the impact of species selection within eco-buffer shelterbelts providing food and habitat for insect populations. The workshop concluded with a presentation from Mike Blom who discussed the importance of diverse vegetation and bird populations within eco-buffer shelterbelts for improving ecological health.
SAW would like to thank the Bridge to Land Water Sky Living Lab for sponsoring the workshop’s lunch, as well as the participants who braved the cold to join us for a day of valuable learning and discussion about eco-buffer shelterbelts.
SAW has funding available for urban, rural, or Indigenous landowners or communities who would like to install an ecobuffer shelterbelt in a riparian area within the North Saskatchewan River Watershed! If you are interested in the program, please contact l.sauder@saskwatersheds.ca or 306-630-5574 for more information about the program and eligibility requirements.
PROTECTING RIPARIAN AREAS AND ENHANCING WATER QUALITY FOR FISH USING EXCLUSION FENCING
Riparian areas are critical for maintaining water quality in fish bearing waterbodies. Healthy riparian areas filter runoff, reducing the amount of sediment, contaminants, and nutrients entering the water. Riparian areas also increase biodiversity by providing habitat for many different plants, insects, animals, and microbes that are essential for a functioning ecosystem.
When livestock frequently use an area along a waterbody to drink, they can compact the soil and damage or completely remove vegetation from the riparian area. This increases erosion and reduces the effectiveness of the riparian area to act as a buffer or filter for the waterbody. As a result, water quality declines.
One way to protect riparian areas and maintain good water quality is through exclusion fencing. Exclusion fencing includes using permanent barbed-wire cross fence or temporary electric fence to restrict livestock from going into riparian areas. This helps keep riparian areas undisturbed and functioning properly, enhancing water quality. When used in conjunction with watering systems, exclusion fencing can help improve cattle condition by ensuring the water they drink is always pristine.
By placing exclusion fencing around riparian areas, ranchers can do their part to improve water quality and fish habitat. As part of the ongoing Fish Species at Risk program funded by Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), SAW will move into southeast Saskatchewan this year to implement riparian enhancement projects such as exclusion fencing to improve water quality and fish habitat. SAW is currently looking for landowner partners to collaborate with to implement these projects and improve their water quality.
For more information, please visit our website or contact Ryder at 306-774-2136 or r.rutko@saskwatersheds.ca.
WATERSHED STEWARDSHIP FOR A CHANGING CLIMATE
SAW, through support from Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC), is continuing to develop watershed-based climate adaptation plans for Saskatchewan. Throughout the 3-year Watershed Stewardship for a Changing Climate project, SAW will complete 5 regional watershed district climate adaptation plans, and host six climate adaptation demonstration sites and workshops that showcase best management practices (BMPs) that can be adopted to build resiliency to the impacts and effects of climate variability and extremes, such as more frequent and severe drought or flood events.
On September 17-18, 2024, SAW partnered with Weyerhaeuser to hold a Climate Resiliency and Forestry workshop and tour in Hudson Bay at Weyerhaeuser’s Oriented Strand Board (OSB) mill and active operation sites. A tour of the Weyerhaeuser OSB mill was followed by a presentation by Michael LeBlanc, Timberlands General Manager for Weyerhaeuser. Workshop participants learned about the climate related challenges that the forestry industry faces, climate smart forestry, and the BMPs Weyerhaeuser has been adopting to ensure the longterm sustainability of the forest while remaining economically viable. Participants also toured the Pasquia and Porcupine Forest Management Area around Hudson Bay to see what some of these BMPs look like when put into practice.
SAW is excited to showcase our next video in our series from the Forestry and Climate Resiliency Demonstration Site and Workshop. For more information about the Watershed Stewardship for a Changing Climate Project, please visit the SAW website. SAW will also begin the community engagement meetings in the Southwest Watershed District in April 2025. More details will be shared soon. Please contact Samantha at ccap@ saskwatersheds.ca for more information about the project.
SAW PARTNERS WITH WAWANESA AND THE CITY OF YORKTON
SAW is excited to share this announcement of a partnership with Wawanesa and the City of Yorkton. With the help of local youth organizations, SAW will be assembling and installing 24 floating treatment wetlands (FTWs) on Hopkins Storm Water Pond. FTWs are used to filter out pollutants and nutrients, control algae, and reduce sludge to improve water quality while providing a home for wildlife and pollinators.
OFFICE LOCATIONS
Our office locations are open Monday to Friday from 9 AM to 4 PM (closed 12 PM - 1 PM).
HEAD OFFICE
300B - 99 Diefenbaker Dr., Moose Jaw, Sask.
NORTHWEST DISTRICT OFFICE
Norplex Business Center, 221 - 2366 Ave. C N, Saskatoon, Sask.
SOUTHWEST DISTRICT OFFICE
1 Airport Road, Swift Current, Sask.
MAILING ADDRESS
Box 1177, Moose Jaw, Sask., S6H 4P9
