Reed Lake (11508)
Canada, North America
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: D1a
Year of last assessment: 2022
National site name: Reed Lake
Central coordinates: Latitude: 50.4000, Longitude: -107.1000
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 685 to 718
Area of KBA (km2): 74.39602
Protected area coverage (%): 10.57
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Situated in southwestern Saskatchewan, Reed Lake is a shallow saline lake (14 km by 3-4 km) that lies parallel to the Trans-Canada highway. The towns of Herbert and Morse are located on the north shore of the lake. The water source for the lake is from intermittent creeks and general spring runoff. As a result, the water levels are subject to wide fluctuation from year to year depending on the amount of spring runoff and precipitation. Several small islands are present within the lake. The lake is surrounded by rangeland and cultivated land.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: Reed 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 six aggregating bird species (Franklin's Gull, Piping Plover, Ross's Goose, Sanderling, Semipalmated Sandpiper, and Tundra Swan). In addition to global significant bird species, this site also supports nationally significant populations of two canadian threatened bird species (Hudsonian Godwit and Piping Plover) and three aggregating bird species (Baird's Sandpiper, Red Knot, and Whimbrel).
Manageability of the site: Reed Lake intersects or contains four protected areas consisting of Fish And Wildlife Development Fund and Wildlife Habitat Protection managed by Government of Saskatchewan, Ministry of Environment; Saskatchewan Watershed Authority managed by Government o
Delineation rationale: The entirety of Reed Lake is encompassed, with a 1km buffer, for this KBA.
Habitats
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Wetlands(Inland) | 48 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 1 | |
| Grassland | 2 |
Threats
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Climate change & severe weather | Droughts | Ongoing | |
| Energy production & mining | Mining & quarrying | Ongoing | |
| Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseases | Problematic native species/diseases | Ongoing | |
| Pollution | Agricultural & forestry effluents | Ongoing |