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This report details a five-year study (2019-2023) of the De Salaberry water retention project in southeastern Manitoba, examining how a small, naturalized dam affects phosphorus reduction to combat eutrophication and harmful algal blooms in Canadian freshwater systems.

This executive summary describes a spatial targeting strategy developed by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) to optimize the placement of water retention projects, such as wetlands and small naturalized dams, to reduce phosphorus loading in Canadian Prairie watersheds.

This report summarizes a virtual workshop hosted by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) on June 23, 2022, focused on the monitoring and modelling of water retention projects in the Canadian Prairies. The event brought together 20 participants from government, academia, and industry to share research on the effectiveness of small dams, retention ponds, and wetlands in managing water quantity and nutrient loads, specifically phosphorus. The workshop highlighted the technical challenges of monitoring in cold climates, the use of new technologies like UV-Vis spectrometers, and the need for better business cases to encourage the adoption of natural infrastructure by agricultural producers.