Download Cam Meukon, Manitoba Conservation Presentation

Whitewater Lake
Wildlife Management
Area
...................
Public Information Session
December 7th, 2011
WWL - History
• Early recognition as an important staging and
moulting area for waterfowl and other marsh
birds.
• Designated as a Public Shooting Ground by
federal government in 1925.
• During the drought of the 1930’s dugouts were
blasted into lakebed to hold water in dry years
• Identified as a Candidate Heritage Marsh in
early 1980’s.
WWL - History
• Designated as a Wildlife Management
Area (WMA) in 1974
• At one time WMA boundaries described as
“the waters from day to day on Whitewater
Lake”.
• WMA boundaries surveyed and
designated in 1994
WMA Boundaries
Wildlife Management Areas
• The Manitoba Wildlife Act provides for the designation of
Crown lands as wildlife Management Areas (WMA's) for
the "better management, conservation and enhancement
of the wildlife resource of the province.“
• Wildlife Management Areas exist for the benefit of
wildlife and for the enjoyment of people. They play an
important role in biodiversity conservation and provide
for a variety of wildlife-related forms of recreation.
International Recognition
• Whitewater Lake is one of Manitoba’s most
productive large wetlands.
• Categorized as a Marsh of Great Significance
in the NAWMP Implementation Plan
• Recognized as a globally significant
Important Bird Area by Bird Life International
Rare Species at Whitewater
• Species diversity – Manitoba’s most
diverse basin for waterbirds
• Unique species – Only location in
province for some
Threatened and Endangered
Species
• In low water cycles various threatened and
endangered species utilize shore and
upland habitat
• Ferruginous Hawk, Piping Plover,
Loggerhead Shrike, Sprague’s Pipit.
Colonial Nesting Species
• Critical nesting area for Franklin’s Gulls
Recreation at Whitewater
• Watchable wildlife
• Waterfowl hunting in spring and fall
• Furbearer trapping
Ecosystem Dynamics at WWL
• Large shallow terminal basin with no outlet
• Flood – drought cycle is a key factor to the
lakes productivity
• Development may introduce exotic
species
• Stable water levels could negatively
impact wildlife habitat
Summary
• The solution to the current situation
requires an integrated approach that
recognize the ecological values of
Whitewater Lake, as well as the human
needs and engineering options