- All program applications are accepted year-round with project prioritization and planning, aligning with the SLWD Integrated Watershed Management Plan (IWMP), for the upcoming field season.
- Most SLWD programs are cost-shared with 60% funding by the District and 40% funding by the landowner (i.e. 60:40). Should external funding be available, this contribution is subject to change.**
- All projects must have an Application Form filled out and brought to the Office in order for the District to review the project.
- Many programs listed below would not be made possible if it wasn't for external funding sources. These include, but not limited to:
- Manitoba Habitat Heritage Cooperation (MHHC) GROW and Conservation Trust programs, Ag Action Manitoba, Environment Canada's Lake Winnipeg Basin Program (LWBP), Eco Action, Fish and Wildlife Enhancement Fund (FWEF).
**New Programming soon to come!**
GRowing Outcomes in Watersheds (GROW)
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Through GROW, SLWD will provide financial incentives and technical support to help producers implement projects that conserve, restore and enhance ecological goods and services originating from their lands.
What activities are eligible?
For a full list of activity descriptions in our District, please see our catalogue. For further information, please visit Manitoba Agriculture and Resource Development's webpage! Please review the GROW GUIDE for a complete overview of the GROW Program and project eligibility. There is also a Landowner's Agreement that will be required to sign after project approval by the Local GROW Committee. If you are interested in this program and think that you may qualify, fill out a GROW Application and contact us! |
GROWing Outcomes in Watersheds (GROW) is a new initiative that recognizes the valuable role farmers play in improving the health of the agricultural landscape. GROW is a made-in-Manitoba approach to encourage and support the delivery of ecological goods and services (EG&S) in Manitoba. Identified under the Water Pillar in Manitoba’s Climate and Green Plan, GROW focuses on watershed health, management and resiliency.
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Surface and Groundwater Management
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Abandoned Well Sealing
The SLWD is committed to protecting and enhancing human health/safety and groundwater quality by sealing abandoned wells to reduce the risks of groundwater contamination within the Swan Valley. This program is offered during the Fall/Winter season, the SLWD will seal all unused and/or abandoned wells brought in to the office by application year-round. |
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Alternate Watering Systems**
Alternate Watering Systems (AWS) such as a solar watering system is beneficial because it removes livestock from watering in surface water sources. Removing livestock from waterbodies will positively improve water quality and riparian zones by allowing natural vegetation to filter nutrients and hold streambanks together, as well as improving livestock health with access to clean water. AWS may be used from streams, dugouts, or a well. |
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Erosion Control Structures
The SLWD will design and construct a new low-level field crossing or make improvements to an old field crossing over a waterway for use by farm equipment that would otherwise negatively affect water quality. Properly constructed field crossings help minimize soil erosion and sedimentation, while properly bridging over a water body. |
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Urban Rain Garden
Utilizing a low depression to intercept drainage into one catchment area can be used to define a rain garden. Having a rain garden reduces runoff energy over land from roof tops, surface flows, lawns, driveways, and storm water. By developing a rain garden project, it is part of storm-water runoff management and removes pollutants from storm water and roof tops and restores natural infiltration. It also helps protect and enhance surface water quality and nutrient loading.
Utilizing a low depression to intercept drainage into one catchment area can be used to define a rain garden. Having a rain garden reduces runoff energy over land from roof tops, surface flows, lawns, driveways, and storm water. By developing a rain garden project, it is part of storm-water runoff management and removes pollutants from storm water and roof tops and restores natural infiltration. It also helps protect and enhance surface water quality and nutrient loading.
Water Retention and Small Dams**
The SLWD will design and construct small dry dams/water retention structures in order to create short term (temporary) retention sites with a goal of reducing peak flow rates and minimizing subsequent erosion and infrastructure damages. Water retention and small dry dams are designed to temporarily hold water for up to two weeks and completely drain out, while offering many other additional benefits such as groundwater infiltration and recharge, capturing of nutrients within the watershed, and the reduction of damage to downstream infrastructure. Larger water retention projects may seek to be funded at a 100:0 ratio.
The SLWD will design and construct small dry dams/water retention structures in order to create short term (temporary) retention sites with a goal of reducing peak flow rates and minimizing subsequent erosion and infrastructure damages. Water retention and small dry dams are designed to temporarily hold water for up to two weeks and completely drain out, while offering many other additional benefits such as groundwater infiltration and recharge, capturing of nutrients within the watershed, and the reduction of damage to downstream infrastructure. Larger water retention projects may seek to be funded at a 100:0 ratio.
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Water Quality Testing*
The SLWD offers and encourages landowners to annually test their well-water for bacteria. Bottles for bacteria sampling and extensive water quality analysis can be picked up at the office. Staff will educate on the proper sampling techniques and paperwork involved. Groundwater testing for bacteria samples and other analyses are covered by the landowner at a 0:100 ratio, with potential for District subsidy. The SLWD works with Horizon Lab, which is an accredited water quality testing lab based in Winnipeg. Prices are subject to change annually. Below is a link to the Well Aware Booklet, informational material, that was complied in Manitoba that defines construction, maintenance, and protection of wells. On page 32 of the booklet, there is information on what the water test results mean. |
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Soil Management Programs
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Grassed Waterways
The SLWD will assist in the design and construction of a grassed waterway with proper sloping and channel size based on the project site. Following construction, the SLWD will seed the waterway with grasses to establish a vegetated cover including suitable buffer strips from cropped farmland. The design of this controlled waterway provides benefits such as minimizing soil erosion, reducing nutrient movement downstream, preventing water breaking out, and providing forage for wildlife habitat. |
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Livestock Crossing
The SLWD will design and construct a new low-level livestock crossing or make improvements to an old crossing over a waterway for use by livestock that would otherwise negatively affect soil and water quality. Properly constructed livestock crossings help minimize soil erosion and sedimentation, while safely bridging over a water body. |
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Riparian Fencing
The SLWD will provide assistance for installation of NEW riparian fencing only. This project is dedicated to protecting and enhancing riparian areas from erosion and surface water quality from nutrient loading. It further increases riparian area health by limiting livestock access to surface water.
The SLWD always encourages and assists producers in implementing alternative practices on their land. However, this program does not assist landowners in the replacement of existing fencing.
The SLWD will provide assistance for installation of NEW riparian fencing only. This project is dedicated to protecting and enhancing riparian areas from erosion and surface water quality from nutrient loading. It further increases riparian area health by limiting livestock access to surface water.
The SLWD always encourages and assists producers in implementing alternative practices on their land. However, this program does not assist landowners in the replacement of existing fencing.
Rotational Grazing Fencing
The SLWD will provide assistance in support of rotational grazing plans and beneficial management practices. This program seeks to support NEW fencing infrastructure and grazing management plans that benefit both the land and livestock. The SLWD encourages and assists producers in implementing alternative practices on their land. However, this program does not assist landowners in the replacement of existing rotational grazing fencing.
The SLWD will provide assistance in support of rotational grazing plans and beneficial management practices. This program seeks to support NEW fencing infrastructure and grazing management plans that benefit both the land and livestock. The SLWD encourages and assists producers in implementing alternative practices on their land. However, this program does not assist landowners in the replacement of existing rotational grazing fencing.
Shelterbelt & Tree Planting*
The SLWD will assist landowners in shelterbelt development, tree planting areas, and obtaining trees and/or shrubs, working in conjunction with the annual tree program. Shelterbelts and tree planting areas provide many benefits including to help reduce wind and soil erosion, surface runoff, create wildlife habitat, and much more.
The SLWD provides a selection of deciduous and coniferous trees and shrubs for purchase by the public annually. This program operates on an ordering basis rather than an application. Tree planting helps communities, landowners, and other groups interested to effectively manage and care for our environment and community beautification. Community trees help with property aesthetics, reducing wind and soil erosion, carbon sequestration, increasing crop yields, improving soil moisture, and creating wildlife habitat. Tree order forms are available in the late Fall season and are due at the beginning of February each year. Stop by the office and pick up a form or print the online form.
The SLWD will assist landowners in shelterbelt development, tree planting areas, and obtaining trees and/or shrubs, working in conjunction with the annual tree program. Shelterbelts and tree planting areas provide many benefits including to help reduce wind and soil erosion, surface runoff, create wildlife habitat, and much more.
The SLWD provides a selection of deciduous and coniferous trees and shrubs for purchase by the public annually. This program operates on an ordering basis rather than an application. Tree planting helps communities, landowners, and other groups interested to effectively manage and care for our environment and community beautification. Community trees help with property aesthetics, reducing wind and soil erosion, carbon sequestration, increasing crop yields, improving soil moisture, and creating wildlife habitat. Tree order forms are available in the late Fall season and are due at the beginning of February each year. Stop by the office and pick up a form or print the online form.
External Funding Programs
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Environmental Education
The SLWD considers education as the forefront in helping protect aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, while minimizing impacts on the environment. The District is actively involved in providing/sponsoring environmental education programs to students and other groups such as Envirothon, Water Festival (annually), Surface Water Quality Monitoring, the Oak Hammock Marsh Wetland EcoVan (school visits), and more. |
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Fisheries Enhancement
The SLWD undertakes projects that improve fish habitat, water quality, and angling opportunities across the Swan Valley, some of which include partnership with the Swan Valley Sport Fishing Enhancement Inc. Projects include fish ladder design and restoration, and habitat protection. |
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Wildlife Habitat & Land Protection - Conservation Agreement
The SLWD will work with landowners to form a Conservation Agreement (easement) with the Manitoba Habitat Heritage Corporation (MHHC). The agreement is a legal contract registered on the land’s title, designed to provide long-term protection of wildlife, land and/or fish habitat. For more information on Conservation Agreements, visit the MHHC website at www.mhhc.mb.ca or contact the SLWD. |
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Equipment Rental*
The SLWD has various equipment available for rent including a tree planter, plastic mulch applicator, and seeder. A damage deposit is held and refunded when the equipment is returned in good working condition and meets inspection. The District also offers an RTK survey service and drone photography and videography both operated by SLWD staff.
The SLWD has various equipment available for rent including a tree planter, plastic mulch applicator, and seeder. A damage deposit is held and refunded when the equipment is returned in good working condition and meets inspection. The District also offers an RTK survey service and drone photography and videography both operated by SLWD staff.
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Battery Recycling
Don't throw your batteries in the garbage! The SLWD has partnered with call2recycle and is now offering a battery recycling program! Any used rechargeable and single-use household batteries (weighing less than 5 kg) can be brought to the office to be recycled. |
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Recycle Your Line
Attention Anglers!! Reel in and Recycle! Please help keep our waterways tangle-free. The SLWD has partnered with Swan Valley Sport Fishing Enhancement to bring you a local recycling program. You can now bring in your used fishing line and spool to be recycled at the office. You can also contact Swan Valley Sport Fishing Enhancement for more information or visit their website at swanvalleysportfishing.com for all the neat work they are currently doing! |
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* Inquire within the Watershed District office for more information and rates*
** Funding ratio varies based on external funding and subject to change**
** Funding ratio varies based on external funding and subject to change**
