Shoal Lakes (Manitoba)

[1] The surrounding territory is generally cattle pasture, with some rocky areas.

Because of the flat nature of the surrounding terrain, small fluctuations in water level significantly affect the local habitat.

The lakes are a significant location for migrating and nesting waterfowl.

In 1912 the Wagon Creek Drain was constructed and the water level fell four to five metres, creating three separate alkaline lakes containing a number of islands.

[2] In 2010 the three lakes flooded into one lake,[3] leaving Provincial Road 229 west of Highway 17 underwater and damaged for 2.5 miles.

A view of Shoal Lake through the trees in 1910
NASA image of the Shoal Lakes in 2008