WATERSHED AUTHORITY INVESTING IN NORTH

The Saskatchewan Watershed Authority will be investing in water control infrastructure, consulting northerners about water conservation and studying river flows in the Saskatchewan River system as part of a significant investment in northern Saskatchewan.

Repair and rehabilitation of the water control structure at Lac La Ronge is part of a $1.2 million investment in water management in northern Saskatchewan. This represents almost half of the Authority's total water control infrastructure budget of $2.85 million for the 2005-06 fiscal year.

In addition to the Lac La Ronge project, the Authority will also be undertaking initial design work for major renovations at the Lac La Plonge dam. The project, once completed, will include a new lake outlet structure incorporating a fishway into the lake.

"Saskatchewan's people and Saskatchewan's green and prosperous economy depend on the effective management of our water resources," Minister responsible for the Saskatchewan Watershed Authority David Forbes said. "This investment will ensure that we can continue to manage water in this province to the benefit of all citizens."

As part of a commitment to the Village of Cumberland House and the Cumberland House First Nation, the Authority will also be doing survey work to monitor changes in the size of natural channels in the Saskatchewan River Delta and to determine the likely natural changes in water flow in the area.

Northern Affairs Minister Buckley Belanger congratulated the Watershed Authority for ensuring northern input in identifying northern water management priorities.

"The Lac La Plonge and Lac La Ronge projects will improve water level controls in a manner that will protect fish stocks and support long-term northern tourism. The Cumberland House survey will help determine the best way to address the continuing water level issues on Cumberland Lake," Belanger said.

A rescheduled public consultation on water conservation will be held at the Beauval Arena Friday, April 22nd at 1:30. This is the eighth public meeting and the second in the North, following a successful meeting in La Ronge in February.

Other work in northern Saskatchewan includes a joint pilot project with Saskatchewan Environment to protect the aquatic environment by performing a riparian health inventory and developing range management plans on leased lands in the provincial forest. If this program is successful, it may be expanded to other areas of the province.

The Saskatchewan Watershed Authority maintains and operates provincial water control structures, including 45 dams and 130 kilometres of conveyance channels.

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For More Information, Contact:

Malcolm French Saskatchewan Watershed Authority Moose Jaw Phone: (306) 694-3017