The RM of Grahamdale's happy about work moving ahead to construct a water channel in its area, but there are some drawbacks to the good news.

"They are designing a channel from what we call the Watchorn Beach on Lake Manitoba to Lake St. Martins, 21 or 22 miles long," says Reeve Clifford Halaburda. "It's going to take many acres out of the municipality. It's still in the planning stage and is not complete. But they're working on it."

He notes farmers will be losing 80 acres on several quarter pieces of land, which in turn will cause the RM to lose that much of their tax base. Halaburda stresses he's glad that the relief valve for the waters coming from Saskatchewan through the Assiniboine and all the surrounding tributaries nearby our lakes will certainly help the entire province.

Halaburda notes by 2026 the whole system should be completed including work to follow at the northeast side of Lake St. Martin.