Gimli Lagoons to Wetlands
Willow Creek Sub-District
In Gimli, a site that once served as functional infrastructure for the community, a four-cell wastewater treatment lagoon, that occupied around 50 acres, is now being reborn as a 144-acre wetland and interpretive landscape. The transformation to a wetland creates the perfect trifecta, where nature, learning, and community come together to help protect Lake Winnipeg.
The site, located south of Gimli, near the Willow Creek, offers the perfect opportunity to restore natural filtration in the area, and create a buffer for Lake Winnipeg.
In the late 2000’s, Gimli built a new wastewater treatment plant, and therefore the former lagoon no longer served its main purpose. The lagoon was then decommissioned under the Environment Act licence and in 2010 the RM of Gimli filed a Notice of Alteration to maintain Cell 2 as an emergency equalization basin during extreme precipitation events, and to convert the other three cells into engineered wetlands, giving a new purpose to the lagoon cells. In 2022, the steering committee and project team was setup. In 2023, the land was rezoned for conservation. The first work on the ground took place in 2025 with major clean up of the site occurring. Each step throughout the journey, is a shared commitment to renewal and water stewardship.
This project is not only about restoring the natural wetland, but also about creating a destination for learning, recreation, and stewardship, all designed to inspire a lasting commitment to protecting Lake Winnipeg. The project is a collaborative movement, that is community-led and provincially supported, built on strong partnerships among local leaders, residents, indigenous knowledge holders, and government agencies, prioritizing both science and community values.
The vision for the project is to have boardwalks winding through the wetlands, with staggered viewing platforms, all with interpretive signage telling the story of water stewardship. The vision includes outdoor classrooms, and eventually an Interpretive Center providing a hub for research and education. The goal is to create a space where people and nature can co-exist.
What is a costal wetland? And why are wetlands important? A low-lying area of land that is saturated with water and located within a costal watershed. A costal watershed is an area that drains into the ocean or inland seas, often edged in muddy, soft ground. Costal wetlands are a vital part of the natural system and provide many benefits to coastal communities. They are home to a variety of plants, and wildlife, and they play a role in reducing atmospheric carbon dioxide. Wetlands are often dubbed natures kidneys, quietly working hard to keep the water clean. Wetlands can filter pollutants, slow runoff, and absorb excess nutrients, all, in turn, protecting the water quality.
By restoring the site, the Gimli Wetland Initiative is using nature-based solutions to reduce nutrient loading in the lake, support wildlife habitat and biodiversity, and strengthen climate resilience.
The site, located south of Gimli, near the Willow Creek, offers the perfect opportunity to restore natural filtration in the area, and create a buffer for Lake Winnipeg.
In the late 2000’s, Gimli built a new wastewater treatment plant, and therefore the former lagoon no longer served its main purpose. The lagoon was then decommissioned under the Environment Act licence and in 2010 the RM of Gimli filed a Notice of Alteration to maintain Cell 2 as an emergency equalization basin during extreme precipitation events, and to convert the other three cells into engineered wetlands, giving a new purpose to the lagoon cells. In 2022, the steering committee and project team was setup. In 2023, the land was rezoned for conservation. The first work on the ground took place in 2025 with major clean up of the site occurring. Each step throughout the journey, is a shared commitment to renewal and water stewardship.
This project is not only about restoring the natural wetland, but also about creating a destination for learning, recreation, and stewardship, all designed to inspire a lasting commitment to protecting Lake Winnipeg. The project is a collaborative movement, that is community-led and provincially supported, built on strong partnerships among local leaders, residents, indigenous knowledge holders, and government agencies, prioritizing both science and community values.
The vision for the project is to have boardwalks winding through the wetlands, with staggered viewing platforms, all with interpretive signage telling the story of water stewardship. The vision includes outdoor classrooms, and eventually an Interpretive Center providing a hub for research and education. The goal is to create a space where people and nature can co-exist.
What is a costal wetland? And why are wetlands important? A low-lying area of land that is saturated with water and located within a costal watershed. A costal watershed is an area that drains into the ocean or inland seas, often edged in muddy, soft ground. Costal wetlands are a vital part of the natural system and provide many benefits to coastal communities. They are home to a variety of plants, and wildlife, and they play a role in reducing atmospheric carbon dioxide. Wetlands are often dubbed natures kidneys, quietly working hard to keep the water clean. Wetlands can filter pollutants, slow runoff, and absorb excess nutrients, all, in turn, protecting the water quality.
By restoring the site, the Gimli Wetland Initiative is using nature-based solutions to reduce nutrient loading in the lake, support wildlife habitat and biodiversity, and strengthen climate resilience.
