Information on Some of the Designated and Candidate Marshes

Delta Marsh

• Approximately 16,000 hectares at the south end of Lake Manitoba, 70% of which is Crown land.
• Internationally renowned
• Designated as a wetland of international importance under the IUCN Ramsar Convention in 1982.
• Designated as an Important Bird Area under the Birdlife International Important Bird Area program.
• Large number of colonial nesting birds including, Franklin's Gull, Forster's Tern, Western Grebe, Eared Grebe, Black-crowned Night Heron, and Pied-billed Grebe.
• Marsh edges used by white-tailed deer and sharp-tailed grouse.
• High populations of muskrat and mink.
• Provides a commercial carp harvest. Additional potential for walleye and pike spawning.
• Regulation of Lake Manitoba has degrade the marsh habitat.

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Grant's Lake

• Approximately 400 hectares northeast of Winnipeg. Consists of Grant's Lake WMA.
• Major waterfowl staging areas, particularly for snow geese.
• Habitat development has taken place, involving several small ponds and nesting islands. 

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Lidcliff Marshes

• A 700 hectare marsh complex southeast of Russell, 550 hectares of which are Crown land.
• A major production and moulting area for Canvasback and Redhead ducks.
• The marsh is extensively used by shorebirds and herons, and an Eared Grebe colony is present.
• Upland areas are used by Sharp-tailed Grouse.

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Oak Hammock Marsh

• A 3,440 hectare upland wetland complex 25 kilometres north of Winnipeg, all of which is Crown land.
• Since its rehabilitation in 1973 the area quickly became famous as a major bird watching site attracting visitors not only form Manitoba but from across Canada and the U.S.
• Over 265 species of birds and 25 species of mammals have been observed in the area.
• 71 species of birds have been known to breed in the area and 46 other species are suspected breeders. A major migration stopover for geese.
• Exceptional muskrat production during years of good vegetation.

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Proven Lake

• This 650 hectare wetland is within the Proven Lake WMA.
• This wetland is situated in the heart of North America's most productive waterfowl breeding habitat - the Prairie Potholes.
• Numerous species of waterfowl and colonial nesting birds breed here.

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Rat River Swamp

• Contained within the 1,054 hectare Rat River WMA.
• This marsh provides flood protection along the Rat River by impounding spring melt waters.
• Attractive breeding and staging area for waterfowl.
• Upland aspen habitat is excellent for white-tailed deer and Ruffed Grouse.

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Saskeram Marsh WMA

• Includes both the Carrot River Triangle and Reader-Root complexes. Encompasses an area of 95,812 hectares of Crown land along the Saskatchewan River Delta.
• Designated as a Wildlife Management Area in 1963 as partial mitigation for the loss of wildlife habitat due to the Grand Rapids Dam forebay.
• A traditional hunting and trapping area for local native bands and an important source of trapping income. A wide diversity of habitat zones provide for a variety of wildlife species.
• Serves as a refuge for waterfowl during drought years on the prairies.
• Provides habitat for Bonaparte's Gull and Franklin's Gull colonies.
• Contains moose and woodland caribou habitat.
• Major migration stop for Bald Eagles, Golden Eagles, and Tundra Swans. Large numbers if Great Gray Owls in the winter.

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Big Grass Marsh

• A 5,000 hectare complex in the Westlake area. 2,500 hectares are Crown owned with most of the remaining land owned by the R.M.'s of Lakeview and Westbourne.
• The most important migration stop in Manitoba for Sandhill Cranes.
• Major moulting area for Mallards.
• Grassland birds such as Upland Sandpipers, Le Conte's, Grasshopper, and Baird's Sparrow regularly nest here. 

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Dennis Lake

• A 2,023 hectare marsh in the south Interlake, 90% of which is Crown land.
• One of the best wild fur marshes in the Province. Highly representative of an Interlake marsh.
• Spring migration stop for Common Loons.
• Good Canvasback habitat.
• Migration stop for Whip-poor-wills.
• Abundant populations of Sharp-tailed and Ruffed Grouse, and white-tailed deer in the surrounding lands.

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Lizard Lake

• Varies between 500 and 1000 hectares depending on water levels.
• Located in southern Manitoba between Carmen and Morden.
• Isolated wetland in an area of intensive agriculture.
• Entirely patented land with the exception of 130 hectares of land owned by the R.M. of Thompson.
• Breeding colonies of Franklin's Gulls.

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Netley-Libau Marshes

• A 24,000 hectare Red River Delta marsh at the south end of Lake Winnipeg. Over 90% is Crown land.
• A very fertile and dynamic system of marshes.
• Historically was an important breeding area for Redheads.
• Western Grebes, Franklin's Gulls and Black-crowned Night Herons nest regularly, plus other colonial nesting species. 
• An important spawning area for Lake Winnipeg fish.
• Regulation of Lake Winnipeg water level has negatively impacted marsh health.

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Oak & Plum Lake Marshes

• Approximately 6,000 hectares (excluding Oak Lake), half of which is Crown land.
• Due to fertility, basin contours, shoreline characteristics and land use it perhaps has the highest wildlife production capability of any large marsh in Manitoba.
• Many colonial nesting species. High concentrations of breeding Redheads on Oak Lake marshes. Golden and Bald Eagle concentrations during migration. Migration stop for Sandhill Cranes. Highest known breeding population of Upland Sandpipers in North America.
• Large population of muskrats when sufficient water.
• High losses of waterfowl due to avian botulism.
• Area surrounded by very light fragile soils. Several areas of native prairie, much of which has been acquired by the Nature Conservancy of Canada.
• Marsh acts as flood storage reservoir and provides ground water recharge.
• Continual lowering of outlet has jeopardized the future of this marsh, creating concerns by local residents and conservation agencies.

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Turtle River Marsh

• A 3,500 hectare marsh complex at the south end of Lake Dauphin, half of which is Crown land.
• Nesting colonies of Western, Eared, and Red-necked Grebes, and Franklin's Gulls.
• Good muskrat and mink production.
• Spawning area for pike.

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Whitewater Lake

• Approximately 12,000 hectares in southwest Manitoba, 90% of which is Crown land.
• Major migration stop for Sandhill Cranes, Snow Geese, Trumpeter Swans and shorebirds.
• Possibly the highest concentration of swans anywhere in Manitoba in the fall.
• Up to 10,000 White-fronted Geese observed in the fall.
• Nesting colony of terns.
• White-tailed deer use the marsh fringe in mid-winter.
• Exceptional muskrat production in years of good water.

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