The Manitoba government is investing $19.7 million to rehabilitate Oak Lake Dam, a critical piece of water infrastructure in southwestern Manitoba, Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Lisa Naylor announced today.
“The Oak Lake Dam is a cornerstone of local safety, economic stability, environmental stewardship and climate resilience,” said Naylor. “That’s why its rehabilitation is both necessary and timely. The project has completed the design phase and is currently scheduled to go to tender in 2025. The timeline accounts for Indigenous consultation, public engagement and regulatory approvals, which are all underway.”
The multi-year rehabilitation project, cost-shared with the Government of Canada under the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP), will include the reconstruction of the dam spillway and the stabilization and protection of its embankments. Once complete, the upgraded dam is expected to remain safely operational for at least another 50 years.
Construction is expected to take approximately two years, with procurement of materials and other preparations already in progress. In anticipation of this larger rehabilitation effort, the province completed upgrades to five kilometres of the east access road in fall 2024.
“The Oak Lake Dam plays a critical role in protecting our residents, supporting agriculture, and maintaining stable water levels throughout the region,” said Cyril Druwe, reeve, Rural Municipality of Sifton. “We’re pleased the Manitoba government is moving forward with the needed rehabilitation project and look forward to the long-term benefits it will bring to our community, local producers, and the surrounding environment.”
This initiative is part of Manitoba’s broader Multi-Year Capital Investment Strategy to modernize and maintain key infrastructure across the province.
