The research facility on Lake Manitoba was hit by catastrophic flooding in spring 2011 and damage was extensive. The Portage Diversion, which moves excess waters between the Assiniboine River and Lake Manitoba, is situated along one side of Delta Marsh and the research station. In 2011 spring floods the diversion was widened and extended in order to move significantly more waters to Lake Manitoba.

"We have been told the station is not viable going forward, because that particular part of the lake is and will continue to be subject to fairly dramatic weather events, and the damage that goes along with them," said university spokeswoman Leah Janzen.

The university is now looking for ways to continue at least 10 research projects connected to the field station and adjacent Delta Marsh.

Located on the south shore of Lake Manitoba, the facility bordered Delta Marsh, a game-bird refuge and wildlife area, about 24 kilometres north of Portage la Prairie. Recently the Manitoba government enlarged the wildlife management area (wma) where the research station and marsh are located, and protected most of the wma from development.

It is not clear what compensation the research station received after 2011 spring floods, given much of the impact an damage were likely connected to emergency engineering of the Portage Diversion.