Crescent Lake Weed Update – June 2025

Update July 2, 2025

The City has recently been made aware that we are no longer permitted to pump water directly from the Assiniboine River into Crescent Lake, which we do to maintain an adequate water level, due to new Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) regulations. 

As a result, we’ve had to pause pumping operations while we work with the Province of Manitoba to explore alternative solutions that meet regulatory requirements.

We understand this may be a concern for residents and want to assure you that it is a concern for Council as well. We are actively lobbying the provincial government for support and are hopeful that rainfall will help maintain water levels in the meantime.

Thank you for your understanding and continued support as we work through this issue. We’ll keep you updated as we learn more.

The City of Portage la Prairie is actively working with the Province of Manitoba and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans to find safe, legal options for weed control in Crescent Lake.

As the lake is designated a fish habitat, chemical treatments are no longer allowed. Any future weed management must comply with complex environmental regulations. We’re currently exploring the use of a mechanical weed harvester, but this process requires input from both provincial and federal authorities.

We understand the concerns and thank residents for their patience as we work through these regulatory steps. Updates will be shared as they become available.

Thank you for caring about our community and the health of Crescent Lake.