War Lake First Nation Moosenose Lake Dam

Approximately 70 m of the southwest shoreline of Moosenose Lake is believed to

have been formed historically as a beaver dam that has since become a permanent landscape feature.  Breaches in that portion of the shoreline in 2004 and 2010, however, resulted in significant drops in the lake water levels and necessitated repairs and reconstruction of the shoreline to form a dam, using silt, clay and rock fill materials obtained from the adjacent area. The breaches also caused flooding in the downstream channel, which does not normally receive flow from the lake. (The outflow from the lake is Butnau Creek, which flows from the northeast end of the lake.)  The downstream flooding resulted in washout at a government winter road bridge crossing. Another breach and drop in lake water levels could jeopardize the lake's fishery, recreational and cultural value, as well as the community's drinking water supply.

 

The purpose of the project is to prevent further breaches of the shoreline and loss of water from the lake. It will entail construction of a 140-m long rockfill dam parallel to and immediately inland from the existing dam.  The new dam and work area will occupy an area between the existing dam and the re-routed winter road. The project work area has undergone recent disturbance associated with the previous dam repairs and construction and maintenance of the winter road. Therefore, habitat disturbance and clearing requirements will be minimal.  The new dam will be constructed as a stand-alone structure (inland and independent of the existing shoreline dam) to avoid disturbance to aquatic habitat and the existing dam. It will have riprap on the northern face (facing the lake and existing dam), to prevent erosion of the new structure should it become exposed to the lake in the future. The confined area between the new dam and the existing

dam is expected to fill with water post-construction and may become a new wetland habitat.

Disclaimer

This map is for illustrative purposes. The markers represent the approximate locations based on available data. More than one marker may be identified for a given assessment.

 

Latest update

End of Public Comment Period

26 February 2020 – The public comment period on the project is closed. Indigenous Services Canada is considering comments received to help inform its determination on whether the carrying out of the project is likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects. .

Participate

Contacts

Indigenous Services Canada
Shelly Johnson, Environmental Specialist
365 Hargrave Street
Winnipeg, Manitoba R3B 3A3
Telephone: 204-984-0709
Email: shelly.johnson@canada.ca


  • Location

    • Moosenose Lake Dam Reinforcement (Manitoba)

  • Nature of Activity

    • Dams and reservoirs

  • Assessment Status

    Completed

  • Start Date

    2020-01-27

  • Proponent

    War Lake First Nation

  • Authorities

    • Indigenous Services Canada

  • Assessment Type

    Project on federal lands

  • Reference Number

    80431

Nearby assessments

..within 200 kilometres
Report a problem on this page
Date modified: