Today Brandon-Souris MP Larry Maguire announced up to $8,000 to rehabilitate Pipestone Creek near Kola, Manitoba.

The money, which is coming from the Recreational Fisheries Partnership program, is being used to repair badly degraded stream banks and improve water quality.

“Due to recent floods, Pipestone Creek has suffered immense damage” said Maguire. “This creek has tremendous fishing opportunities and I am glad we are able to restore the banks and stop further erosion. I am also pleased our Government is partnering with the West Souris River Conservation District to improve the fishing habitat and shoreline so it can be enjoyed for generations to come.”

The funding will be used to riprap the shoreline, install erosion control blankets and plant native seedlings.  The total area of fish habitat to be restored is approximately 2800 sq/metres.  By restoring the compromised fishing habitat and shoreline, this project will support more productive fisheries and by extension, increased fishing opportunities.

The long-term benefits of the project will remove excess moisture from the soil, making banks more resistant to erosion.  The new vegetation will filter out much of the overland flow of water, nutrients, sediment, and pollutants.  This will protect water quality and promote groundwater recharge.

The creek has been hit with three extreme weather events since 2011 that caused extensive damage from increased stream flows.