Nature is doing some of the heavy lifting in Winnipeg’s flood strategy.
At FortWhyte Alive, a former industrial clay quarry has been transformed into a sprawling network of wetlands, ponds, and prairie designed to work with water instead of against it. These landscapes capture stormwater, slow runoff, absorb flood flows, and naturally filter pollution before water moves downstream.
The impact goes beyond flood protection. Officials say the wetlands here can remove up to 90% of phosphorus from the water — a critical issue for Lake Winnipeg, which has struggled for years with excess nutrients fueling harmful algal blooms and degrading water quality.
As climate change intensifies flooding and water challenges across Canada and beyond, FortWhyte offers a powerful example of nature-based infrastructure in action: restoring ecosystems while protecting communities and improving water quality at the same time.
In Manitoba, living with water isn’t optional. Projects like this show what adapting to it can look like.
waterloop is a nonprofit news outlet exploring solutions for water sustainability. Visit https://www.waterloop.org/
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