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Hydro Research & Reports |
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 Since the environmental review process for the Wuskwatim projects in northern Manitoba, several new hydro developments are in the planning stages for Manitoba Hydro, and the Premier of Manitoba's preoccupation with "clean" hydropower means Manitobans are increasingly interested in learning about hydroelectric power and issues associated with this type of energy production.Manitoba Wildlands will be commissioning research into Manitoba's hydro system that is user-friendly and concise. We will provide these documents on this page. We will also post information from other sources related to hydropower development. |
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Emissions from Hydro Reservoirs |
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GHG emissions in reservoirs are the same everywhere in the world but the magnitude varies. Areas of high agricultural activity such as southern Manitoba and Ontario have higher emissions compared to lower productivity areas. GHG emissions from hydro reservoirs are 35-70 times lower per Terrawatt hour than those of thermal generating stations (coal, natural gas). In a Climate Registry seminar in September, 2009 Manitoba Hydro indicated they are using the Inter-governmental Panel on Climate Change approach that accounts for GHG implications at a national level, rather than for individual projects. This approach would not provide information for new generation projects and reservoirs, or emissions during construction or initial years of operation. This approach also does not include land-use change implications, tends to over-estimate methane emissions, but does not fully account full life cycle accounting for all the potential emissions, to include net implications and so is not accurate. Emissions accounting for construction and operation of generation stations needs to be included with reservoir emissions accounting.
View Natural Resources Canada CO2 emissions from reservoirs in Quebec Sources: The Climate Registry
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World Commission on Dams - |
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The World Commission on Dams (WCD) was an independent, international, multi-stakeholder process, which addressed controversial issues associated with large dams. It provided a unique opportunity to bring into focus many assumptions and modes of thinking at the centre of the search to reconcile economic growth, social equity, environmental conservation and political participation in these decisions.As part of its process, the WCD commissioned numerous contributing papers that formed the basis of its November 2000 final report, Dams and Development: A New Framework for Decision-Making. One of the 126 contributing papers summarizes the social impacts of the construction and operation of the Churchill-Nelson River Diversion project on First Nations communities in northern Manitoba, beginning in the 1970s.  Download World Commission on Dams report prepared as part of Thematic Review I.2: Dams, Indigenous People and vulnerable ethnic minorities - Lake Winnipeg Regulation Churchill-Nelson River Diversion Project in the Crees of Northern Manitoba, Canada (PDF)The WCD completed its work with the launch of its final report in late 2000 and was subsequently disbanded. As a follow-up to the WCD, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) launched the Dams and Development Project. Visit United Nations Environment Programme Dams & Development Project Source: World Commission on Dams |
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Low Impact Hydropower Institute |
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The Low Impact Hydropower Institute (LIHI) is a US-based non-profit organization dedicated to reducing impacts of hydropower generation through certification of hydropower projects that avoid or reduce their environmental impacts based on the Low Impact Hydropower Institute's criteria.Visit Low Impact Hydropower Institute's website LIHI's mission is to reduce impacts of hydropower dams through market incentives. LIHI does this through its Hydropower Certification Program, a voluntary certification program designed to help identify and reward hydropower dams that minimize their environmental impacts. Just as an organic label can help consumers choose foods and farming practices they want to support, the LIHI certification program helps energy consumers choose energy and hydropower practices they want to support. As of September 2009 none of the dams in Manitoba are certified by the Institute. In order to be certified by the Institute, a hydropower facility must meet criteria in the following eight areas:
Download LIHI's Low Impact Hydropower Certification Criteria Summary of Goals and Standards (PDF)Visit LIHI's Certification Program for information, including LIHI's Certification Package Source: Low Impact Hydropower Institute |
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Hydro Research Reports and Documents Commissioned by Manitoba Wildlands |
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Download The State of Hydro - A General Briefing (PDF), Manitoba Wildlands,  October 2004Download The Hydro Province: Manitoba's Hydroelectric Complex (PDF), Manitoba Wildlands, January 2005Download Wuskwatim
Commission Recommendations: A Manitoba Wildlands Comparison
(PDF), February 2005 Download Clean Energy Transfer Initiative - Manitoba Wildlands Review (PDF), January 2005 Download the original Ontario/Manitoba Study Of Clean Energy Transfers (PDF) 2003 Download Hydropower Transmission in Manitoba - Manitoba Wildlands (PDF) & Appendix A Map (PDF), January 2005Download the original Manitoba Hydro internal memo (PDF) & charts and maps (PDF), June 2000Visit EnergyManitoba.org for more information regarding Wuskwatim projects, hydro power and energy issues in Manitoba. View Manitoba Wildlands' Energy Alternatives links View Manitoba Wildlands' Industry Associations links |
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Hydro reservoirs are areas of land flooded to retain water for power generation. Reservoirs release green house gases (GHGs) methane and CO2 for up to 10 years after initial flooding. High waters, changes in generation output, erosion during operation also cause emissions. Emissions are created when organic matter (such as trees and plant material, soils) nutrients are broken down and decomposed by bacterial activity.Comment |
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Globe & Mail: Opinion Article Not Published
Re: April 2, 2007 article: Natives hold key to Ontario power - A proposed east-west energy grid can't proceed without their support by Karen Howlett |
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Hydro Map Gallery |
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| View the Manitoba Hydro - Current & Potential Interconnections Map By Manitoba Wildlands. View the Potential Hydro Transmission - East Side of Lake Winnipeg Map By Manitoba Wildlands. |
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| Potential Manitoba East Side Hydro Routes, First Nation RMAs By Hobbs & Associates Inc. |
Potential & Existing Manitoba Generating Stations and Transmission Lines Manitoba Government |
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| Manitoba Hydro Southern Operations Transmission lines and generating stations in Southern Manitoba. By Manitoba Wildlands. |
Manitoba Hydro Winnipeg River Operations Transmission lines and generating stations on the Winnipeg River, Manitoba. By Manitoba Wildlands. |
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| Proposed and Existing Hydro Dams - Northern Manitoba This map displays Proposed and Existing hydro dams, diversion channels and control structures. By Manitoba Wildlands |
Potential Hydro-Electric Development Sites on Developed Waterways This map is from the 1997 Manitoba Treaty Land Entitlement Agreement. By the Manitoba Eco-Net Mapping Centre. |
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| Manitoba Hydro - Existing and Potential Interconnections This map shows the existing and proposed transmission lines, dams and converter stations. By Manitoba Wildlands. |
Manitoba Hydro Generation - Reserves/Licenses This map shows existing dams, water power licences and water power reserves. By Manitoba Wildlands |
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2002-2010