Saskatchewan River Delta Conservation Initiative
The Saskatchewan River Delta is the largest inland river delta in North America. It is fed by both the North and South Saskatchewan River and is part of a watershed that spans across Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba. Forming various wetlands, shallow lakes, river channels, and forests, it represents one of the most unique landscapes in the world.
Despite all this, the Delta remains unprotected and vulnerable to current and future demands of upstream water users.
The Delta is dying. It’s up to us to protect it before we lose it forever.
Where is the Saskatchewan River Delta?
After travelling 1,200 km from the glaciers of the rocky mountains and collecting runoff from Canada’s vast prairies, the rushing waters of the Delta collect here:
Cumberland House Cree Nation’s homeland.
Located near the border of Northern Saskatchewan and Manitoba and connecting treaties 5, 6, & 10, Indigenous peoples have lived in this region for more than 7,000 years.
It is now home to several Cree and Métis communities, including Cumberland House: the first European settlement in Western Canada (established in 1774).
It is also home to hundreds of species of plant, in addition to lichens, birds, fish, and mammal species.
The total area of the Saskatchewan River Delta is 970,586 hectares (9,706 km2). The Delta is 42.6 times larger than Saskatoon, SK.