A major infrastructure project years in the making is finally getting off the ground in southeastern Manitoba, and local officials say it’s a game-changer for water management in the region.
The “Sundown Ridge Project,” led by the RM of Stuartburn in partnership with the RM of Piney and the Seine Rat Roseau Watershed District, received a $70,000 grant earlier this year from the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) and the Green Municipal Fund.
Reeve for the RM of Stuartburn, Michelle Gawronsky, says that money will go toward a feasibility study for what could eventually become the largest water retention pond in Manitoba.
“This one is many years in the making, and I'm so proud that we're moving forward with it. We're going to be building the largest retention pond in the province. It’s going to hold 4,864 acre-feet of water, that’s huge!”
The goal is to address chronic flooding and water damage concerns in the Sundown area, especially from Horseshoe Lake. The RM of Stuartburn, which often receives runoff from the RM of Piney and even from across the U.S. border, will lead the effort to better control and store excess water.
“We get the water from the state side, the Roseau Valley area,” Gawronsky explained. “So, of course, we partner up. It just makes common sense that we be the ones to store the water, and then we can slowly release it as we can, so it's not flooding everyone around us.”
The planned retention pond will make use of Crownland and an old highway and railway bed east of Vita, just beyond the small hamlet of Sundown. According to Gawronsky, this will keep the costs down and reduce the impact on local farmland.
“We're not going out and grabbing land from every farmer. We want to be smart about this and use what’s already there. It’s better for everyone, from the RM of Hanover to De Salaberry to Emerson-Franklin. Even RM of Montcalm will see the benefit.”
Timeline and Next Steps
Right now, the team is focused on the feasibility study, which could be completed by this fall or possibly by next spring.
“That study is key,” Gawronsky said. “It opens the door to more grants. The next one we’re aiming for is a $1 million fund through FCM. And because of our population size, municipal partnerships, and the project’s positive environmental impact, we could be eligible for up to 90% of that.”
She added, “We know it’s going to be expensive, and we know it’s going to take years. But I’m hoping that during my time as Reeve, I’ll see a shovel in the ground. It’s going to be a huge relief for folks in the area.”
Public Input Coming Soon
Gawronsky emphasized that community input will be a big part of the process.
“We don’t do anything in the RM of Stuartburn without the public watching and asking questions,” she said. “We’ll be holding public meetings where people can see the designs, ask what they need to ask, and understand how this will benefit everyone.”
The Sundown Ridge Project is not just about flood control; it’s also about regional cooperation and long-term resilience.
“We’re all connected," says Gawronsky, "What happens in Piney affects Stuartburn, and what happens in Stuartburn affects our neighbours. This project proves that when municipalities work together, we can find real solutions.”
Find the 52 page Roseau River Watershed Distributed Retention Study at www.gov.mb.ca.