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SLWD
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About the Watershed District

What is the Watershed District?

The Swan Lake Watershed District (SLWD) is a municipally-based, non-profit organization made up of local people in partnership with the provincial government, private industry, and non-government organizations. 
The Watershed District's c
o-operative mandate is to promote the sustainable use and management of land, water, air and related resources within the Watershed District boundary.

Where is the Watershed District?

​The SLWD office is located in Swan River, Manitoba, with its boundaries currently including the following:
  • RM of Swan Valley West;
  • RM of Minitonas-Bowsman;
  • RM of Mountain and;
  • Town of Swan River
The Watershed District boundaries extend South up to the Duck Mountain Provincial Forest, West to the Saskatchewan border, and North along the Porcupine Hills to the Steeprock Wildlife Management Area, and North and East along Swan Lake and Kettle Hills ('District Map' tab will show new Watershed District boundaries).

Who operates the District?

The SLWD is governed by a Board of Directors comprised of municipally-appointed members, with significant input by sub-district members representing grassroots level people.
The SLWD employs a full time Manager, Administrator, Resources Technician, and hires seasonal employees during the summer months.

What does the landscape look like?

The SLWD was formed in 2006, with programming starting in 2007. The Watershed District is one of the most topographically diverse watersheds in Manitoba and covers an area of approximately 7,199km2.
The SLWD is one of many watersheds that contribute to the greater Lake Winnipegosis and Lake Manitoba Basins. Soils in the lower portions of the Swan River Valley, along Swan Lake, are mostly lacustrine, meaning they were formed by glacial lake deposits and consist of layers of clay, silt and sand. Along the base of the Porcupine Hills and south of Swan Lake sand was deposited by the ancient beaches of Lake Agassiz.
Topographically significant features of the watershed include the Porcupine Hills, Duck Mountains, Thunder Hill, Kettle Hills the Swan River Valley, and the Swan Lake Plain.
The two major rivers run parallel to each other, the Woody and the Swan River. Both of the rivers originate in Saskatchewan, flowing across the border into Manitoba and eventually into Swan Lake. Other rivers of the watershed, that comprises the sub-watersheds within the Watershed District, include the Birch, Roaring, Sinclair, West Favel and East Favel rivers. The Bell and Steeprock rivers are also located within the Watershed District area; however, they are located north of Swan Lake and do not drain directly into Swan Lake. 
​The Watershed is home to approximately 10,000 residents and supports recreational tourism, agriculture, forestry and commercial fishing. 
Meet the Main Board
*Members on the Main Board are effective from January 2020 - January 2021 and are re-elected each year.*
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Walter Kolisnyk
​Board Chair
(RM of Minitonas-Bowsman)

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Don Bobick 
​Vice Chair
​(Town of
​Swan River)

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Larry Mychalchuk
Board Member
(RM of Minitonas-Bowsman)

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Don Machan
Board Member
​(RM of Swan Valley West)

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Stuart Walmsley
Board Member
(RM of Minitonas-Bowsman)

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Connie Forbes 
Board Appointee
​(RM of Mountain)

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Kelly Filipchuck
Provincial Appointee
​(Town of Swan River)
​


Meet the Sub-District Board

​*Members on the Sub-District Board are effective from January 2020 - January 2021 and are re-elected each year.*
The Roaring River/Favel Creek Sub-District members include:
  • Garry Bartel
  • Raymond McCleary
  • Matt Wills
  • Don Machan

The Upper Swan River/Lobstick Creek Sub-District members include:
  • Leanne Hutman
  • Peter Tokar
  • Glen Foster
  • Larry Martin
  • Jason Delaurier
  • Don Bobick​
​The Lower Swan River/Sinclair River Sub-District members include:
  • Larry Mychalchuk
  • Walter Kolisnyk
  • Connie Forbes
  • Clarence Biech

The Woody River/Birch River Sub-District members include:
  • Stuart Walmsley
  • Leonard Wasylciw
  • Arnie Pedersen
  • Walter Moore
  • Bill Galloway
  • James Brown
If you have a project that is related to land and water management that would be beneficial for the environment, let us know or contact any of the members you see above! We would be glad to assist you!
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