Environmental Aspects

Wuskwatim is the first hydroelectric development to be subjected to a public hearing under the Environment Act of Manitoba and the first to be subject to an environmental assessment under the Canada-Manitoba Agreement on Environmental Assessment Cooperation.

Following intensive discussions between project partners, a low head design was chosen over a high head design for the Wuskwatim Generating Station. The low head design produces 200 megawatts of power compared to 350 megawatts for a high head design, but minimizes environmental impacts by reducing the amount of flooding to less than a half-square km (about 37 hectares) compared to about 140 square km from a high head design. Following the decision for a low head design, rigorous environmental studies were conducted and monitoring plans developed.

A study done by the Pembina Institute for Appropriate Development determined that the total lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions from Wuskwatim to be 290 times less than coal, 130 times less than the most efficient natural gas technology, and similar to wind generation.

Studies

• Fish Population Studies: Fish Biology #1, February 2002
• Fish Population Studies: Fish Habitat #1, February 2002
• Fish Population Studies: Mercury in Fish #1, February 2002
• Fish Population Studies: Fish Movements #1, February 2002
• Fish Population Studies: Fish Presence and Abundance #1, February 2002
• Mercury in People, February 2002
• Forestry #1, February 2002
• Vegetation #1, February 2002
• Bird Populations, February 2002