| Land Designation
Park
Reserve
Landscape
Description
The
100,300 ha Chitek Lake Park Reserve is located in the central
Interlake region along the eastern shore of
Lake
Winnipegosis
about 350 km northwest of
Winnipeg
.
The park reserve straddles two
provincial natural regions, the Precambrian Boreal Forest and the
Aspen Parkland Natural Regions.
The area contains a complex intermingling of glacial till
and organic deposits with many different soil types where strips
of raised ridges alternate with low, wet areas called swales.
Outstanding
Features
The
park reserve recognizes the high natural values and cultural
significance of the intact natural condition of the lands
surrounding
Chitek
Lake
.
The diversity of soils and topography in the Chitek Lake
Park Reserve results in a rich and diverse range of plant and
animal habitats. These
lands form the primary range of
Manitoba
’s
only herd of free ranging wood bison, and are at the heart of the
only area in the province where moose, white-tailed deer, elk,
woodland caribou and wood bison share the same area.
Both wood bison and woodland caribou are listed as
threatened species under federal legislation.
The
Chitek
Lake
area has been identified by
Manitoba
's
Protected Areas Initiative as having the potential to represent
several enduring features (unique combinations of soils, landforms
and climate) that are presently not adequately represented in the
provincial network of Protected Areas, in their intact natural
condition.
The
Chitek Lake Park Reserve was designated in 1999 at the suggestion
of, and in co-operation with, Skownan First Nation.
The park reserve includes the central portion of this
community’s traditional area of use.
The area also contains several archaeological sites of
cultural importance to this community.
After
undertaking a public review of the future of the Chitek Lake Park
Reserve in association with Skownan First Nation, Manitoba
Conservation is extending this park reserve designation for a
further five years so that the results of a more in-depth review
within this community can be included in the overall consultations
on the long-term future of this area.
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