Despite calls for further consultations from two First Nations impacted as well as the Manitoba Liberal Party, the government went ahead and issued final…
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CONSERVATION and Climate Minister Sarah Guillemard signed off Thursday on a permit that grants Manitoba Hydro a final, long-term licence to manipulate the Churchill River within the operating parameters laid out on temporary terms decades ago.
CONSERVATION and Climate Minister Sarah Guillemard signed off Thursday on a permit that grants Manitoba Hydro a final, long-term licence to manipulate the Churchill River within the operating parameters laid out on temporary terms decades ago.
Operation of the Churchill River diversion began in 1976, on an interim licence issued under the Water Power Act. The move caused the water level of Southern Indian Lake to rise by approximately three metres, devastating ecosystems and First Nations communities in the region.
Operation of the diversion began in 1976, on an interim licence issued under the Water Power Act. The move caused the water level of Southern Indian Lake to rise by approximately three metres. In 1986, Manitoba Hydro was given permission to increase the amount of water the utility diverted from the Churchill River by 15 per cent. What has become known as the augmented flow program now allows the Crown corporation to raise and lower the water level of Southern Indian Lake by as much as three to 4.5 feet. Temporary approval permits have been repeatedly reapproved on an annual basis for three-and-a-half decades.
First Nations oppose permanent Hydro river flow permit
May 14, 2021
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
WINNIPEG-Representatives for two northern First Nations are asking the provincial government to deny approval for a permanent Manitoba Hydro permit that allows the utility considerable flexibility in manipulating two rivers.
In the 1970s, Hydro diverted water from the Churchill River into the Nelson River at Southern Indian Lake, in order to increase its generating capacity along the Nelson. The diversion caused devastating and ongoing impacts to the environment along both river basins, and ripple effects in the First Nations communities throughout the region.
Operation of the diversion began in 1976, on an interim licence issued under the Water Power Act. The move caused the water level of Southern Indian Lake to rise by approximately three metres.