A creek in southern Manitoba may soon be a hub of watershed research in Canada.
The Tobacco Creek Model Watershed (TCMW) is one of eight finalists to become a research node for the Canadian Water Network, a national initiative with the goal of connecting research to hands-on watershed management.
If the watershed is selected as one of the five Canadian Water Network research nodes, $750,000 in funding could be available to study it over the next few years.
The watershed is located west of Miami, Man.
TCMW chair Les McEwan said the watershed is well positioned to become a “living watershed laboratory.”
It will be a place to understand and combat the real life practices that are affecting the quality of water in Manitoba creeks and rivers and Lake Winnipeg.
“We are very excited to have this unique and timely opportunity to advance the TCMW; we look forward to hearing from the community, and from all others with an interest in agriculture’s role in making long-term solutions happen,” said McEwan, who farms near Altamont, Man.
The Deerwood Soil and Water Management Association has worked with scientists for more than two decades to study the Tobacco Creek watershed.
Scientists have experimented with residue management, zero tillage, shelterbelt establishment and rotational grazing and measured how those practices affect nutrient runoff, water quality and water quantity.
The association also built small dams on creeks in the watershed to slow spring runoff and hold back sediment and nutrients.
Research and practices in the watershed will be featured in the March 17 episode of The Nature of Things, which examines the deterioration of water quality in Lake Winnipeg.
Bryan Oborne, watershed consultant for the TCMW, said the episode will likely portray the watershed as part of the solution.
“We spent several days filming. I’m led to believe that (we’ve) been featured in a good light.”
Oborne and other members of the TCMW will hold a community meeting and workshop Feb. 24 in Roland, Man., to gather input from the public on watershed management.
