Preamble: In the 1960s, the Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Administration studied the section of the Boyne River north of Treherne Manitoba and recommended that a dam be built on the River to form a reservoir and create a recreational area with potential for irrigation. More study was done in 1987 with the Assiniboine-South Hespeller Study. 

With the arrival of Simplot in Portage la Prairie, and the encouragement of local producers to grow irrigated potatoes for Simplot, the concept was re-activated. Over the past 10 years, the South Norfolk-Treherne Community Development Corporation with support from its councils, the Pembina Valley Water Co-op, and both the federal and provincial governments has commissioned several studies and the results are summarized below. 

Proposed project details:

• Location 19-8-9 W1, approximately 3 miles north of Treherne
• Approximate height of dam is 65 – 70 feet
• Flooded area of 950 acres
• Shoreline length of 18 miles
• Average depth of 23.5 feet
• Reservoir storage of 24,300 acre-feet at full supply level (1158.1 ft)
• Normal water level fluctuation of 6 feet each year
• Diversion of 50 cubic feet per second for 2 months 

Due to the soil types, the slopes would need to be very gradual – 16 feet horizontal to 1 foot vertical. The cost would be $76M which includes $9M to divert water from the Assiniboine River during the spring freshet when flows significantly exceed the current requirements downstream and/or the late fall when the gates at Shellmouth Dam are opened to lower levels there. 

More environmental, economic and geo-technical study is needed and will cost in the area of $500,000. This cost is included in the $76M. These studies could be done concurrently, and construction would be completed over a two-year time frame to allow soil settlement in the valley. 

Resolution: That the Government of Manitoba and the Federal Government

a)      immediately review these pre-feasibility studies,

b)      provide funding to complete the necessary feasibility studies, and

c)      upon confirmation of the very positive benefit-cost ratio by these studies, move forward with construction of the dam and reservoir on the Boyne River north of Treherne. 

Resolution Report:  

The Manitoba Chambers of Commerce produces Resolution reports as part of its commitment to be accountable to its members. The reports are updated as matters unfold and have two components:

MCC Advocacy: Specific activities the MCC has done to help make this Resolution a reality. 

Developments:  All other information (e.g. government action, media coverage, reports) that relates to Resolution. 

Advice, comments, and information sharing are welcome; simply enter a reply at the bottom of this post.

MCC Advocacy: 

May 11, 2010: The 2010-2011 Resolutions were posted on the MCC website, listed as part of a comprehensive Report on AGM 2010 and then notice of this story was circulated through the MCC E-Update is sent to all MCC members, Media and Government.

June 16, 2010: Resolution books were sent to every MLA and every Member of Parliament that hails from Manitoba. The following had this Resolution specifically drawn to their attention with a detailed letter setting out the background to this issue, Government initiatives (where applicable), and an argument for the Resolution:

• The Minister of Conservation
• The Minister of Water Stewardship  

Developments:

August 25, 2010: The Honourable Bill Blaikie, Minister of Conservation, wrote to the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce on this matter. This is what he said:

“Several Manitoba Government departments have reviewed the pre-feasibility studies for the Boyne Valley Water Initiative. Senior staff from Manitoba Water Stewardship and Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives are meeting with the South Norfolk-Treherne Community Development Corporation in early August 2010 to discuss the proposal.”