SAW March 2026 Newsletter

SASKATCHEWAN ASSOCIATION OF WATERSHEDS Where Water, Wellness & Communities Meet Aa

IN THIS ISSUE: WHAT EXTREME HEAT MEANS FOR PRAIRIE ECOSYSTEMS Rising temperatures above 30 °C are reshaping Prairie ecosystems, placing growing stress on plants, soil health, and long-term landscape resilience.

THE VALUE OF HEALTHY LAKES Healthy lakes support Saskatchewan communities by protecting water quality, sustaining ecosystems, and powering recreation, tourism, and local economies.

REIMAGINING SHELTERBELTS: HOW ECO-SHELTERBELTS ARE REVITALIZING THE PRAIRIES Eco-shelterbelts are emerging as a powerful climate solution, helping farmers reduce erosion, manage water, and build biodiversity across agricultural landscapes.

A Publication of the Saskatchewan Association of Watersheds - March 2026

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TABLE OF CONTENTS SWEAP - BMP Highlight Upgrading Seeding Equipment

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What Extreme Heat Means for Prairie Ecosystems

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The Value of Healthy Lakes

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UPCOMING EVENTS APRIL 2026 April 12-15 - SUMA, Bunge International Trade Centre, Regina April 15 - SWEAP Update for Agriculture Professionals Webinar, Online

Reimagining Shelterbelts: How Eco6 Shelterbelts are Revitalizing the Prairies

MAY 2026 May 2 - Caring for Our Watersheds Finalist Competition, Saskatoon

The Bigmouth Buffalo: A Long-Lived Freshwater Fish

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May 18 - Tree for Life Sales End

Welcome to the Team

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JUNE 2026 June 11 - Livestock Watering Workshop, Old Wives Lake June 18 - Southwest District Advisory Committee Meeting, Swift Current

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SASKATCHEWAN WATERSHEDS ENVIRONMENTAL AGRICULTURE PROGRAM – BMP HIGHLIGHT UPGRADING SEEDING EQUIPMENT

Upgrading seeding equipment to allow for banding or injection of fertilizer has many benefits for both the farmers.

Upgrading seeding equipment to allow for banding or injection

and promote beneficial microbial activity by creating

of fertilizer has many benefits for both the farmers as well as

localized nutrient zones. This can lead to increased

the fields they manage. Some of these benefits include:

productivity for the current and subsequent crops.

4.

1.

2.

Improved Nitrogen Use Efficiency (NUE) – Applying

Reduced Environmental Impact – Shallow banding

required nutrients exactly when and where they are

and injection of nitrogen fertilizer reduce losses to the

needed helps to improve NUE by reducing potential

environment as compared to broadcasting.

Proper

runoff and increasing fertilizer absorption. The primary

placement of fertilizer based on environmental and

benefit of injection is to provide precise delivery of

soil conditions helps decrease the in-soil movement

nutrients to the root zone resulting in reduced losses,

of nutrients in the ground and surface water through

while ensuring the crop gets the exact nutrients they

volatilization and leaching.

need at the right time.

Reduced Seeding Damage – Placing fertilizer further from the seed instead of in the same row can reduce

Upgrading seeding equipment may result in reduced input

seedling damage from salt and ammonia toxicity. This

costs, increased cost savings in terms of time and labor, and

toxicity can lead to reduced yields, lower response to

increased yields while reducing impacts to the environment.

nitrogen fertilizer and reduced nitrogen use efficiency.

3.

Nitrogen injection systems can reduce chemical stress

Upgrading seeding equipment to allow for banding, side-

on the plant by waiting until it is more mature and resilient,

dressing or injection is an eligible project through SAW’s

while providing the nutrients when they need it the most.

SWEAP

Increased Productivity – Changing to banding or

Agriculture Program) Nitrogen Management category.

injection can allow optimal nitrogen rates to be applied

Funding for SWEAP is provided by Agriculture and Agri-Food

to increase crop growth and yield without the risk

Canada through the Agriculture Climate Solutions - On-Farm

on ammonia toxicity.

Climate Action Fund (OFCAF).

Banding fertilizer can improve

(Saskatchewan

Watersheds

Environmental

nutrient intake leading to improved plant health, vigor and yield. Banding fertilizer can also improve soil health

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO ON SWEAP

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WHAT EXTREME HEAT MEANS FOR PRAIRIE ECOSYSTEMS - CLIMATE ADAPTATION PLANNING IN SASKATCHEWAN’S WATERSHED DISTRICTS

Across the Canadian Prairies, summer heat is nothing new.

trembling aspen, reducing growth and increasing mortality,

But the growing number of days exceeding 30 °C is reshaping

promote beetle and defoliator activity, and dry surface fire fuels

ecosystems. These ‘very hot days’ are becoming more

- raising wildfire risk. These disturbances may gradually shift

frequent, arriving earlier in the season, and lingering longer –

the Parkland boundary north over time.

placing stress on grasslands, wetlands, forests, wildlife, and agricultural landscapes.

Climate projections consistently show an increase in both the frequency and severity of extreme heat events across

On very hot days, plants face intense evapotranspiration

the Prairie landscape, with heat waves becoming part of the

– losing moisture through both soil evaporation and leaf

seasonal baseline. Ecological consequences are cumulative,

transpiration. When temperatures exceed 30 °C, especially

including gradual shifts in species ranges, increased wildfire

during extended dry periods, photosynthesis slows and

and pest disturbance, changes to hydrological cycles, and

plant growth is reduced. Repeated heat events can impact

declines in biodiversity in already fragmented systems.

the growing season, favour drought-tolerant species, reduce forage quality for grazing wildlife and livestock, and increase

Despite these challenges, pathways to resilience include

susceptibility to pests and diseases.

protecting and restoring native grasslands to maintain biodiversity

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and

carbon

storage,

enhancing

wetland

During hot, dry periods soil health and carbon dynamics are

conservation to buffer drought impacts, diversifying agricultural

also impacted, as high temperatures can increase microbial

systems to improve landscape resilience, and maintaining

activity and increase soil respiration rates. Combined with

habitat connectivity to allow species to shift ranges. As the

reduced plant growth, this weakens the Prairies’ role as a

number of 30 °C days climb, so too does the urgency to adapt,

carbon sink.

conserve, and steward prairie ecosystems.

The Aspen Parkland, a transitional zone between boreal

SAW has completed climate adaptation plans for the Northwest,

forest and prairie, also faces heightened risks during extreme

Northeast, Southeast, and Southwest Watershed Districts.

heat. High temperatures increase tree water stress and make

The Northern Watershed District and Provincial Plans will be

forests more susceptible to insect outbreaks and wildfire.

released in Spring of 2026. For any inquiries, please contact:

For example, extended periods above 30 °C can weaken

ccap@saskwatersheds.ca for more information.

THE VALUE OF HEALTHY LAKES

Healthy lakes in Saskatchewan are essential to the province’s

green algae. This monitoring helps keep residents and visitors

environmental health, public safety, and overall quality of life.

safe by identifying potential hazards early and ensuring that

With more than 100,000 lakes and rivers across the province,

beaches remain enjoyable places for families to gather. Regular

these waters form one of the most abundant freshwater

testing at lakes like Christopher, Candle, and Emma Lake

networks in North America, supporting diverse ecosystems and

provides the public with timely information so they can make

sustaining communities that rely on clean, accessible water.

informed decisions about where to swim.

Healthy lakes help maintain strong aquatic habitats, protect plant and animal life, and ensure that water used for drinking,

Beyond environmental and health benefits, healthy lakes

recreation, and agriculture remains safe and dependable.

contribute significantly to community well being and local economies. Clean, vibrant shorelines support tourism, cottage

Saskatchewan lakes play a major role in public health and

life, fishing, and outdoor recreation—activities that are central

recreation. Saskatchewan’s Healthy Beaches Program monitors

to Saskatchewan’s cultural identity and rural livelihoods.

water quality at popular swimming areas throughout the

Stewardship practices that protect water quality help prevent

summer, testing for risks such as E. coli and toxins from blue

pollution, safeguard drinking water sources, and ensure that lakes remain resilient in the face of climate pressures. By caring for these waters, Saskatchewan communities protect not only their natural heritage but also the social and economic vitality that healthy lakes make possible.

To learn more about lake stewardship beneficial management practices, please click the link below.

INFORMATION ON LAKE STEWARDSHIP

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REIMAGINING SHELTERBELTS: HOW ECO-SHELTERBELTS ARE REVITALIZING THE PRAIRIE LANDSCAPE

Long rows of trees have helped shape Saskatchewan’s

seedlings establish more successfully, and snow is trapped

agricultural landscape for more than a century. Originally

more evenly across fields.

planted to reduce wind erosion and protect farmsteads, shelterbelts remain one of the most practical climate

Future climate projections also indicate increased variability

adaptation tools available to landowners. Today, as climate

in timing and amount of precipitation. Eco-shelterbelts

change brings more intense heat, stronger winds, and variable

designed with deep rooted trees will help improve infiltration

precipitation, eco-shelterbelts are being utilized for resilience

and reduce surface runoff. Eco-shelterbelts can help to

building for multifunctional infrastructure.

restabilize riparian areas, reduce nutrient runoff into wetlands, improve groundwater recharge, and decrease the risk of

While traditional shelterbelts were often single or double rows

localized flooding.

of fast-growing species such as caragana or Manitoba Maple, eco-shelterbelts build on this foundation by increasing species

By

diversity (native trees, shrubs and understory plants), are

aspen, chokecherry, saskatoon, willow, and buffaloberry,

incorporating

native

species

such

as

trembling

designed for wildlife habitat and pollinator support, enhancing

eco-shelterbelts provide nesting habitat for songbirds, shelter

soil health and water management, and integrating long-term

for small mammals, pollen resources for pollinator species,

carbon storage goals.

and overwintering sites for beneficial insects. These habitats provide connection between wetlands, riparian zones, and

With climate projections indicating stronger spring wind

grasslands. Diverse eco-shelterbelts that include flowering

speeds and more frequent drought conditions, maintaining

shrubs and staggering bloom time can provide continuous

soil stability is increasingly critical. Eco-shelterbelts reduce

forage,

wind speed, protect topsoil from erosion and prevent crop

predatory insects, and improve crop pollination to increase

damage. By reducing wind speed, soil moisture is conserved,

ecological function.

supporting

native

bee

populations,

beneficial

SAW’s Applying a Landscape Approach to Improve Biodiversity project is funded through Environment and Climate Change Canada’s (ECCC) Environmental Damages Fund (EDF). SAW has funding available for landowners who would like to install eco-buffer shelterbelts within the North Saskatchewan River Watershed! If you are interested in the program, please contact info@saskwatersheds.ca or 306-541-9902 for more information about the program and eligibility requirements.

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THE BIGMOUTH BUFFALO: A LONG-LIVED FRESHWATER FISH

WELCOME TO THE TEAM

Gary Swaresty (www.roughfish.com)

Imagine a fish older than Canada itself: the Bigmouth Buffalo (Ictiobus cyprinellus). This freshwater fish is found in Saskatchewan’s Qu’Appelle River system and is one of the longest living fish species in the world, as some individuals have been documented at an astounding 127 years old! These ancient giants can grow up to 4 feet long and weigh up to 80 pounds. As filter feeders, they use their unique forwardfacing mouths to consume plankton, playing a crucial role in maintaining water quality.

Despite their extraordinary longevity and adaptability, bigmouth buffalo populations have declined in Saskatchewan since the mid-20th century. Habitat changes such as dams disrupting migration to spawning grounds and competition from invasive species like Common Carp have contributed to their decline.

Recognizing their vulnerability, the species has been listed as “special concern” under the Species at Risk Act. Conservation efforts are underway to protect these incredible fish. With funding provided by Fisheries and Oceans Canada, SAW will deliver projects focused on assessing current population abundance and restoring and enhancing habitat to support Bigmouth Buffalo survival. These projects can protect this native fish species for generations to come.

For more information on SAW’s Fish Species at Risk Program, please visit click the link below.

T U C K E R B E AT T I E , DATA & PROGRAM ADMINISTRATOR Hello! My name is Tucker Beattie, and I’m excited to be joining the team as the new Data & Program Administrator.

I grew up in Moose Jaw, SK, and after graduating high school I moved to Calgary, where I completed my Business Diploma at SAIT. I eventually returned to Moose Jaw to be closer to family.

Most of my career has been spent working with one of Western Canada’s largest supply chains, focusing on data collection and accounting. I’m looking forward to bringing that experience into this role, collaborating with everyone, and contributing to the great work happening here.

In my spare time, you’ll find me pursuing an ever‑growing list of hobbies - racing karts with the South Sask Kart Club, sim racing, mountain biking at Buffalo Pound, playing lacrosse, or wrenching on a car in the garage!

INFORMATION ON SPECIES AT RISK

I’m very eager to be working as part of the SAW team and can’t wait to see where this journey takes me!

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OFFICE LO C ATI ONS Our office locations are open Monday to Friday from 9 AM to 4 PM (closed 12 PM - 1 PM).

H E A D O F F I C E M A I L I N G A D D R E S S 300B - 99 Diefenbaker Dr., Moose Jaw, SK

Box 1177, Moose Jaw, SK, S6H 4P9

CONNEC T WITH US

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S AW M A I N P H O N E N U M B E R

EMAIL ADDRESS

1 (306) 541 - 9902

info@saskwatersheds.ca