LWF SHIM Study
2011 Project Title:
Sensitive Habitat Inventory and Mapping (SHIM) of Foreshore Areas of Lake Winnipeg’s South Basin and Development of Shoreline Management Guidelines
This project will create geo-referenced databases and maps of existing land use and habitats along the South Basin shoreline of Lake Winnipeg from Riverton to Traverse Bay.
Based on aquatic habitat indexing methods developed and applied successfully in British Columbia, the Lake Winnipeg SHIM will rank the sensitivity and suitability of shoreline segments for development, rehabilitation and protection proposals.
A SHIM Report, including Shoreline Management Guidelines (SMG) will be prepared by March 31, 2012 for the Lake Winnipeg Basin Stewardship Fund. The SMG will provide science-based land-use planning and decision-making tools for responsible agencies surrounding Lake Winnipeg. Shoreline management can contribute to nutrient load reductions to Lake Winnipeg or wherever SHIM programs are introduced.