Where the water flows

Where the water flows

Water is contained in natural geographic regions called watersheds. Think of them as large bowls. Sometimes they are grouped together to form larger regions; sometimes they are small and isolated. Watersheds help us protect our water by allowing us to control the spread of pollutants and foreign species from one watershed to another. When we see Manitoba as a network of watersheds, it helps us to understand how actions in one area can affect water in other areas.

Where the water meets the land

The strip of land alongside rivers, lakes, streams, dugouts, ponds and even man-made ditches is called a riparian zone or shoreline. The trees and vegetation along this strip of land are an important habitat for many kinds of wildlife and the last line of defence between pollutants in the ground and our water. Maintaining our shoreline is essential to preserving and protecting Manitoba’s water.

Wetland habitats

Areas where the ground is soggy, or where shallow water ripples through high grass or reeds, are often called bogs, fens or marshes. These wetland habitats are a vital part of Manitoba’s water landscape; they provide habitat for many aquatic and semi-aquatic birds, animals and insects. Wetlands are also natural filters that reduce the pollutants and toxins that can end up in our water system.