Whitewater Lake (11139)
Canada, North America
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: D1a
Year of last assessment: 2022
National site name: Whitewater Lake
Central coordinates: Latitude: 49.2500, Longitude: -100.3200
System: terrestrial, freshwater
Elevation (m): 457 to 460
Area of KBA (km2): 301.33729
Protected area coverage (%): 9.46
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The Whitewater Lake catchment basin is located in the southwestern corner of Manitoba, north of Turtle Mountain Provincial Park. It is an alkaline lake that may contain no water for two or three years at a time during dry cycles; during normal years it covers 6,070 hectares, but can be as high as 10,320 hectares (and two metres deep) during years with increased run-off. In 2013, the lake reached record high water levels and probably exceeded 14,000 hectares. Over the past 100 years there have been several decades, such as the 1930s and 1980s, in which the lake was dry most of the time. Several small creeks drain into Whitewater Lake, but there is no major natural outlet. The flat terrain surrounding the lake is used for agricultural production. A small rare herbaceous plant, seaside heliotrope (Heliotropium curassavicum) that thrives in salty soil is found here. In 1989, Ducks Unlimited (DU) constructed a number of dykes in the east end of Whitewater Lake, creating basins that attempted to stabilize water levels for nesting and migrating waterfowl; these were largely destroyed by the high water of 2011 and 2013 The observation mound remains, but vehicle access is not possible. The northwest portion of the KBA includes an area of agricultural land with potholes and ephemeral wetlands that temporarily flood in high water years.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: Whitewater Lake was initially identified as an Important Bird and Biodiversity Area. Recent analysis shows that this site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of global significance for seven aggregating bird species (Franklin's Gull, Long-billed Dowitcher, Sandhill Crane, Short-billed Dowitcher, Snow Goose, Tundra Swan, and Western Grebe). In addition to global significant bird species, this site also supports nationally significant populations of three canadian threatened bird species (Bank Swallow, Hudsonian Godwit, and Lesser Yellowlegs) and one aggregating bird species (Redhead).
Manageability of the site: Whitewater Lake intersects or contains one protected areas consisting of Whitewater Lake Wildlife Management Area managed by Manitoba Agriculture and Resource Development.
Delineation rationale: The Whitewater Lake catchment basin is located in the southwestern corner of Manitoba, north of Turtle Mountain Provincial Park. The boundaries are generalized to include the entire lake, but also areas of agricultural land with potholes and ephemeral wetlands that temporarily flood in high water years (the NW portion of the KBA). Caretakers and Provincial Coordinators wanted boundaries snapped to roads, so that monitoring efforts as eBird checklists would be captured properly within the boundary. The surrounding area of this lake is subject to flooding, so the size of the lake can fluctuate.
Habitats
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Grassland | 17 | |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 17 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 17 |