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The International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) and Aquatic Life® are conducting a pilot project in the Winnipeg River basin to test high-frequency sensors that provide near real-time freshwater data via mobile networks and satellites.

The 2022 Canadian Prairie Water Retention Monitoring and Modelling Workshop, hosted by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD), convened experts to discuss the optimization of water retention systems. Key outcomes include an agreement on the necessity for more comprehensive monitoring in the Canadian Prairies and the identification of spectral sensors as a tool for advancing monitoring and modelling. The workshop featured nine presentations, including a valuation of ecosystem services in Manitoba's Stephenfield Reservoir and Pelly's Lake, a pilot project for adaptive monitoring on the Winnipeg River using high-frequency sensors, and a demonstration of targeting 'hotspots' for environmental benefits in Manitoba's agricultural regions.

The document outlines a pilot project in the Winnipeg River basin that employs 'adaptive monitoring'—combining high-frequency in situ sensors, satellite telemetry, and AI-driven modelling—to address data gaps in water quality. By deploying sensors at the Pinawa Marina and the Powerview-Pine Falls Drinking Water Treatment Facility, the project aims to provide near real-time data on parameters such as total phosphorus and nitrate nitrogen to inform local decision-making and develop predictive surrogate models.