Manawan Lake [FINAL EDITING]

[FINAL EDITING]

Back to North West Quadrant – YEG-Ville.

In the 1950’s, the intention was to drain or at least lower the level of Manawan (Egg) Lake. Subsequent flooding highlighted the futility of this effort and instead the province purchased low-lying areas. A loss for farming but a gain for the natural environment. Fishing is permitted on the lake although some sites claim there are no fish.

The Fast Facts

Duck blind with bull rush reeds used as camouflage on Egg Lake.
Duck blind on Manawan (Egg) Lake

Area Details

  • Name/Owner: Manawan Lake / Crown Land
  • Is it Worth It and Why Go Here?: There isn’t really anything ‘here’ in the winter. In the spring, summer and fall, the lake is considered an ‘Important Bird Area’ as it is a staging area for numerous migratory species [2]. Foot access is only possible in the winter after freeze. In the summer it would be wet, muddy and very buggy (a perfect environment for a bird!).
  • Map Reference, Location and Wayne Gretzky Units:
    • Central Alberta Backroads Map Book, p. Edmonton (p. 45), Cell [A9].
    • 53′ 53″ -113′ 43″.
    • Wayne Gretzky Driving Time & Distance: 50 Min(s) & 49 Kilometers
  • Difficulty Level & Safety: High Beginner because of ice safety considerations.
  • Links: See Notes and References.
  • The Drive Out: Most sources list the best access to the lake is from the west via Township Road 570. The road eventually peters out to a parking area of sorts and there is well used quad track to the lake.
  • The Other Shoe: Bird hunting, canoeing.
  • Kid Rating: Not tailored for kids although the sites and novelty of walking on the ice may make it a destination.
  • Frank’s Trip Notes: First done: 2021-01-12.

Notes and Reference

  1. Marcotte, D, C Adrain, and R.J. MacDonald. “Natural Area Mapping for the Sturgeon River Watershed. Submitted to the North Saskatchewan Watershed Alliance,” January 2019. https://www.nswa.ab.ca/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Natural-Areas-Mapping-for-the-Sturgeon-River-Watershed-January-2019-FINAL.pdf.
  2. Manawan Lake (IBA). Important Bird Areas, Canada. George and Dean in the Field, 2012. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qGnfhuAlymQ.

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