Lakes Winnipeg, Manitoba, Winnipegosis, Waterhen

PI: Tim Papakyriakou, David Barber

U of M Participants: Greg McCullough, Jeremy Barber, Julien Barber

For Manitoba, an abundance of clean, reliable freshwater is the centerpiece to the province’s economic and social infrastructure. From clean drinking water and agricultural irrigation, to hydroelectric power and recreational activities, the very identity of Manitoba is built upon its fresh water supply.

With a combined area of 34,508 km², Lakes Winnipeg, Manitoba, and Winnipegosis make up nearly 5.5% of the total land area of the province and act as major waterways in the Hudson Bay watershed, one of the largest watersheds in North America, draining water from as far west as the Rockies and as far east as Quebec into Hudson Bay.

With two moorings collecting in situ data (chlorophyll A, phycocyanin, turbidity, temperature, and pressure) in combination with regularly scheduled water sampling, and instrument deployment, CEOS and the University of Manitoba are able to:

• Take a leadership role in monitoring the health of Manitoba’s freshwater through nutrient and contaminant testing.

• Evaluate the anthropogenic impact on Manitoba’s freshwater ecosystem.

• Develop an understanding of how nutrients and contaminants move throughout the freshwater ecosystem.

This information can be used by government, industry and other stakeholders to improve the health of Manitoba’s freshwater, ensuring the stability of the clean water Manitoba’s Great Lakes provide, and the economic and social infrastructure that have been built upon it.

2012: Moorings and research focused on Lakes Manitoba and Winnipegosis.

2013: Moorings and research focused on Lakes Manitoba and Waterhen.

2014+: Moorings planned for Lakes Manitoba, Winnipegosis, and Waterhen, as well as the start of new research on Lake Winnipeg.

2012 Data Report - forthcoming

2013 Data Report - forthcoming

Submitted By: Jeremy Barber