Rat River Study

Rat River Watershed Fish Habitat and Riparian Assessment Survey

The Seine-Rat River Conservation District (SRRCD), in partnership with Manitoba Conservation Fisheries Branch, has initiated a riparian health and aquatic habitat study on the Rat River watershed. The study is funded by the Manitoba Conservation Fisheries Enhancement Initiative (FEI) fund, DFO Healthy Waters program, and the SRRCD. North / South Consultants have been hired to complete the study.

The main objective of the study is the collection of information on the environmental health of the Rat River watershed area in order to identify the current fish habitat and riparian health status. The fisheries, riparian, land-use, water quality, and other information will be analyzed and compiled into a project priority list outlining where potential enhancement and restoration sites exist. The project list will be shared with all cooperating partners and be used to coordinate and monitor project activities within the Rat River watershed. The long-term goal is to complete the necessary project work at all of the sites listed in the project priority list in order to assist in the protection of water quality and the enhancement of fish habitat within the Rat River watershed area. By completing these riparian and aquatic restoration projects, the SRRCD will be providing environmental, social, aesthetic, and overall long-term sustainable benefits to residents of the southeast watershed, and beyond.

The Rat River watershed study is a step towards long term sustainable resource management. The SRRCD realizes that an important component in establishing a resource management plan is to know the present condition of the resources within an area. The SRRCD Rat River study will provide just that.