Chapter 16: Water Resources

16.15: Dried-Up Sloughs Near Lenore

Large parts of southwestern Manitoba are covered by hummocky ground moraine with thousands of small lakes (sloughs) occupying low-lying areas. Many of these have dried up either as a result of natural infilling by emergent vegetation or by artificial drainage by humans to increase the land area available for agriculture. This image is of the northwestern end of an esker complex extending from near Oak Lake (off the photo to the south) to Lenore (off the photo to the north). Four esker-like ridges are visible 1, as are sloughs in various stages of development. Some dark-toned sloughs 2 are devoid of vegetation, whereas others have vegetation growing from the sides 3 or in the middle 4. One large slough 5 is almost completely unfilled, and others are completely dry 6; one is occupied by a clump of trees 7. Although water is available from the sloughs, farmers have constructed artificial reservoirs (dugouts) 8 to hold water for domestic and farm use.

Also notable on this image are shelterbelts protecting farm buildings 9, and straw stacks 10. Sections 10 and 11 of township 11, range 24W1 are irregularly shaped.

Figure 16.15: Dried-Up Sloughs Near Lenore

Figure 16.15

Vertical air photograph: A16411-79

Flight height: 10,300 feet a.s.l.; lens focal length: 152.4 mm

Scale: 1:17,100 (approx.)

Date: October 29, 1958

Location: Township 11; Range 24WI

Map sheets: 1:250,000 62F Virden

                    1:50,000 62F/15 Virden