Manitoba
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Manitoba Water Stewardship

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*Nutrient Buffer Zone

Water Body Setback if applicable area is covered with permanent vegetation
(Column A)		 Setback if applicable area is not covered with permanent vegetation (Column B)
  • a roadside ditch or an Order 1 or 2 drain†
No direct application to ditches and Order 1 and 2 drains
  • a groundwater feature
15 m (49 ft)
20 m (66 ft)
  • a wetland, bog, marsh or swamp other than a major wetland, bog, marsh or swamp‡
Distance between the water's edge and the high water mark
  • a lake or reservoir designated as vulnerable**
30 m (98 ft)
35 m (115 ft)
  • a lake or reservoir (not including a constructed stormwater retention pond) not designated as vulnerable**
  • a river, creek or stream designated as vulnerable**
15 m (49 ft)
20 m (66 ft)
  • a river, creek or stream not designated as vulnerable**
  • an Order 3 or higher drain†
  • a major wetland, bog, marsh or swamp‡
  • a constructed stormwater retention pond
3 m (10 ft)
8 m (26 ft)

*Nutrient Buffer Zone is measured from the water body's high water mark or the top of the outermost bank on that side of the waterbody, whichever is further from the water.

†Designated on a Manitoba Water Stewardship plan that shows the designation of drains.

‡As defined in 1(2) in the Nutrient Management Regulation under The Water Protection Act. "For the purposes of this regulation, a wetland, bog, marsh or swamp is major if

  1. it has an area greater than 2 ha (4.94 acres)
  2. it is connected to one or more downstream water bodies or groundwater features; and
  3. it contains standing water or saturated soils for periods of time sufficient to support the development of hydrophytic vegetation."

**Designated as vulnerable if listed in the Schedule in the Nutrient Management Regulation under the Water Protection Act.