[Includes excerpts from Wild Canada Web site]
The Red River is listed as number 8 on a top ten list of Canada's most endangered rivers, developed by Earthwild International and Wildcanada.net in observation of the International Year of Clean Water. Between July and December 2003, further development of 'action tools' will highlight the value of Canada’s rivers, the threats facing them, and the need for a comprehensive conservation strategy to protect them.

Threats to the Red are summarized as the discharge of sewage effluent from several large urban centres, including the residual effects of a large spill of raw sewage in 2002; the rapid expansion of the hog industry in Manitoba that has resulted in increased phosphorous and nitrogen loads, and the continued loss and drainage of wetlands within the watershed that alters flow and increases flood stages.

The summary cites the Devils Lake controversy and also notes that ‘non-point source’ damage is further exasperated in a transboundary watershed such as the Red River Basin, where there are multiple jurisdictions governing input levels of pollution and withdrawal limits for urban use and irrigation.

Canada's Most Endangered Rivers List 2003
Red River Summary

[If you come across news of regional interest, please email to asebring@emforum.org or submit via our Feedback Form.]