Province provides $95K to improve water quality in Oak Lake

A blue-green algae bloom is pictured floating on water in an undated image. (File photo)

The Manitoba government is providing a $95,000 grant to help improve the water quality in Oak Lake, located approximately 260 kilometres west of Winnipeg.

The funds will assist the Souris River Watershed District in installing an aeration system to improve the water’s oxygen levels, which will help reduce algae blooms and support fish populations.

According to a media release, the province said the lake currently struggles with algae blooms in the summer months.

“Supporting watershed districts is an important part of protecting our environment and improving the quality of life for rural Manitobans,” said Premier Wab Kinew in a media release.

“Whether it’s improving the water quality for swimming or improving the habitat conditions for fish, projects such as this one focus on the long-term sustainability of our lakes and rivers that protect both wildlife and humans.”

The province said water aeration is a common water management practice that involves increasing oxygen levels to address issues such as low winter oxygen levels—which can disrupt the food chain—or excessive summer algal growth.

The Manitoba government previously announced on Tuesday a $19.7 million investment to rehabilitate Oak Lake Dam, including reconstruction of the dam spillway and the stabilization and protection of its embankments.