| IBA |
Tobin Lake
Nipawin, Saskatchewan |
| Site Summary |
| SK099 |
Latitude
Longitude |
53.571° N
103.602° W |
Elevation
Size |
1,025 - 1,050 m
721.04 km² |
Habitats:
mixed woods (temperate), freshwater lake, freshwater marsh
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Land Use:
Nature conservation and research, Tourism/recreation, Urban/industrial/transport
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Potential or ongoing Threats:
Disturbance, Industrial pollution
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| IBA Criteria: Globally Significant: Congregatory Species |
| Conservation status: Wildlife Sanctuary |
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Site Description
Tobin Lake is an artificial lake created in the 1960s, as a result of the construction of the E.B. Campbell Dam across the North Saskatchewan River. The lake is approximately 50 km long and 1 to 15 km wide. The resort community of Tobin Lake is located on the southern shore, and extensive marshes occur along the western shore. The Saskatchewan River enters the western end of Tobin Lake and flows out of the eastern end below the E.B. Campbell Dam.
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Birds
During the fall migration, about 2,000 Tundra Swans have been recorded at this site along with about 2,500 during the spring migration. These respective totals represent about 2.3 and 2.9% of the estimated eastern Tundra Swan population and about 1% of the total North American population. In addition to Tundra Swans, concentrations of non-breeding American White Pelicans (> 1,000 birds) have also been recorded at Tobin Lake. Other birds recorded at this site during the summer months include Bonaparte's Gull (200 500) and Ring-billed Gull (over 2,000).
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IBA Criteria |
| Species↓ T | A | I |
Links |
Date |
Season |
Number |
G |
C |
N |
| Tundra Swan |
|
1981 |
SP |
2,500 |
|
✔ |
|
| Tundra Swan |
|
1976 |
FA |
2,000 |
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✔ |
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Note: species shown in bold indicate that the maximum number exceeds at least one of the IBA thresholds (sub-regional, regional or global). The site may still not qualify for that level of IBA if the maximum number reflects an exceptional or historical occurrence.
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Conservation Issues
There is some concern about levels of disturbance associated with recreational use, but due to the size of the lake and the small number of people using the lake, it is unlikely that this is having a significant impact. Other concerns include a pulp mill that is located upstream near Prince Albert. This mill likely contributes to the pollution of the North Saskatchewan River.
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