Understanding the Complexities Related to Manitoba Hydro’s Augmented Flow Program

By Patricia Eyamba, 1st year MDP student

In this field placement, my main focus was on the water regime program of Manitoba Hydro since 1986, specifically regarding the design and implementation of Augmented Flow Program. I was tasked with designing an initial community engagement plan to be considered by the York Factory First Nation.

Augmented Flow program is a complex energy related topic; a program implemented by Manitoba Hydro and approved by Manitoba government to ensure there is uninterrupted and good quality supply of electricity to Manitobans.

The program is linked with Churchill River Diversion project where the Manitoba government allowed Manitoba Hydro to divert the Churchill river on an agreed term stated in the interim water power act license. This diversion has caused water to rise above the level that was originally agreed in the license. Based on this overflow, Manitoba government is issuing annual written permission to Hydro called Augmented Flow program permitting Hydro to flood the lake by additional “half foot” (Halket Environmental Consultants Inc. (2017) O-Pipon-Na-Piwin Cree Nation Review of Regional Cumulative Effect Assessment Pg. 4) which was not part of the terms in the original license that was issued.

Source: https://www.pimicikamak.ca/wppim/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Interim_Report_Draft_April_2014_2.pdf

Although this program has helped in improving the quality of services rendered by Hydro to Manitobans. However, the aftermath to the host communities include: lost of lands, habitats, homes due to water fluctuations and flooding. Flooding along the shorelines pollutes the water and kills plant life. Also, animals are trapped and killed which affects the economic activities of the community causing economic hardship. This project has robbed the community of the very essence that form their identity.

Resources gathered and developed from this study would be handed in to community members as supporting evidence and reference materials to be used in negotiating for the changes they wish to see in the operations of Manitoba Hydro activities in their community. 

I was inspired during my class with Professor Dr. Patricia Fitzpatrick to delve further in academic research. Having worked in the field of development, I choose Augmented Flow Program because it is related to community development and that resonates with me. Additionally, I wanted the experience of  taking classroom knowledge into the field. This study gives me the opportunity to be part of a change movement beginning from research to producing community engagement plan.

In doing this work, I had the privilege of meeting with leaders from the York Factory Cree Nation, lawyers and academics. I got a deeper understanding of the history of hydro energy development in Manitoba and the dynamics involved in managing the program.

It has been a huge learning process for me transitioning from working in the non-governmental sector to doing academic research.  My research skills have improved tremendously. It has been a good challenge and very rewarding for me in many ways. I would like to thank the partners in this work: The York Factory Cree Nation, The Public Interest Law Centre and The University of Winnipeg.