Cleanup and repairs have begun of the significant storm damage suffered by all provincial parks around the south basin of Lake Winnipeg and at least one on Lake Manitoba, Conservation Minister Bill Blaikie announced.
“Staff are cleaning up the damage and making repairs to facilities that were hit hard during the huge storm,” said Blaikie, who toured many of the parks after the storm. “While most of these parks were already closed for the season and no one was in danger during the storm, we are asking the public to stay away from these areas, due to safety concerns.”
There was significant erosion of shorelines at Grand Beach, Patricia Beach, Winnipeg Beach and Camp Morton provincial parks on Lake Winnipeg, Blaikie said. There was also damage to infrastructure near the shores of some parks including Grand Beach where wind and waves destroyed the boardwalk.
On Lake Manitoba, there was extensive shoreline damage at St. Ambroise Provincial Park.
Conservation staff members are continuing to assess the extent of the damage, however it is already clear that significant repairs will be required, said Blaikie. While there has been extensive erosion of sand dunes and beach ridges at some of the parks, it is expected these areas will be restored naturally over time, he added.
More information on Manitoba’s parks is available online.
