Netley-Libau Marsh Management
Netley-Libau Marsh, a 250 km2 freshwater coastal wetland, lies at the mouth of the Red River and the south end of Lake Winnipeg. Considered one of the largest freshwater wetlands in Canada, Netley-Libau Marsh is recognized as an important wildlife area. It is designated an Important Bird Area by Bird Studies Canada and the Canadian Nature Federation, and is also a candidate for designation as a Manitoba Heritage Marsh by the Manitoba government. The area is traditionally used for agriculture and recreation (such as boating, hunting, fishing and snowmobiling). In addition, the wetland is a filter for the large quantity of nutrients flowing through the Red River and into Lake Winnipeg—which is an important and overlooked function of the marsh that is increasingly understood as a key component of an overall Lake Winnipeg nutrient management strategy.
Netley-Libau Marsh is comprised of shallow lakes, channels and wetland areas through which the Red River flows on its way to Lake Winnipeg. It was described in 1857 as "a series of reedy marshes that extend in all directions as far as the eye can see" (citation?). Over the past few decades, however, the structure of Netley-Libau Marsh has been significantly altered. Drainage, dredging and other water management schemes occurring since the early part of the last century have substantially altered the natural flow of the Red River through the marsh. Since the 1970s, Lake Winnipeg water levels have also been managed by Manitoba Hydro for hydroelectric production. Netley-Libau Marsh has experienced a significant loss of plant communities (PDF - 1.7 mb) and wildlife and fish habitat, a gradual loss of aquatic vegetation and wetland areas, the erosion of channels, an amalgamation of water bodies and declining water bird populations. Unfortunately, Netley-Libau Marsh is not currently functioning as a healthy coastal wetland. Many of the benefits the lake could provide as a habitat and in removing and storing excess nutrients that have been lost can be revitalized through restoration and management of the marsh.
The Netley-Libau Marsh Research Project: Exploring the Opportunities
The purpose of the Netley-Libau Marsh research project is to understand the importance of the marsh to the health of Lake Winnipeg, and how this large freshwater coastal wetland influences the quality of water flowing into the lake from the Red River. Current research on the Netley-Libau Marsh has looked at biomass and nutrient accumulation in marsh plants such as cattail to understand nutrient cycling and nutrient storage within this marsh system. Research has also examined the concept of harvesting and removing marsh plant biomass for the purpose of removing stored nutrients from the wetland.
IISD is working with several key project partners as part of a new Wetlands Working Group, hosted by the Department of Water Stewardship, which clearly emphasizes the growing commitment and renewed interest for the research, future management and rehabilitation of this critical coastal wetland. The Netley-Libau Marsh research project continues to evolve with an enhanced and expanded research program for 2009–2010, with financial support from Manitoba Water Stewardship and from Environment Canada's Lake Winnipeg Basin Stewardship Fund.
