Tway National Wildlife Area
Tway National Wildlife Area (NWA), in Saskatchewan, is an important area for waterfowl and other species.
Description
Tway NWA lies in the Aspen Parkland Eco-region at the headwaters of the Carrot River, in central Saskatchewan. The marsh complex consists of managed wetlands surrounded by 96 hectares (ha) of rolling uplands covered by hayfields and trembling aspen forests. The marsh is a waterfowl staging area and a breeding area for:
- Canada geese
- coots
- grebes
Other wildlife using the area include:
- song-birds
- hawks
- owls
- small mammals
- deer
In 1970, almost three-fourths of the wetlands here were drained. The Canadian Wildlife Service acquired lands for the NWA in 1971 as a site for a Ducks Unlimited Canada project, which included:
- flood control
- the raise and control of water levels for waterfowl production
- improved haying and grazing for cooperating farmers whose lands border on the marsh
Today, wetlands make up almost three-fourths of the area and waterfowl production has increased. Shorelines of the marshes support emergent plants like:
- cattail
- bulrush
- sedge
Previously cultivated land was seeded with smooth brome and alfalfa. Remaining natural vegetation in uplands consists of aspen groves and shrublands of:
- willow
- snowberry
- silverberry
Find more information on Tway NWA in the summary table below.
Management
Under the Canada Wildlife Act, NWAs are protected and managed in accordance with the Wildlife Area Regulations. The primary purpose of NWAs is to protect and conserve wildlife and wildlife habitat. For this purpose and according to the legislation, all activities in a NWA that could interfere with the conservation of wildlife can be prohibited. Consequently, most NWAs are not accessible to the public and all other activities are prohibited in all NWAs. However, some activities may be authorized through Schedule I.1 of the Wildlife Area Regulations or the issuance of permits as long as they are consistent with the management plan goals for the NWA. For more information, consult the NWA Management and Activities section.
Access to Tway NWA is not restricted and activities may be permitted in accordance with the conservation objectives of the NWA management plan. Any authorized activities are listed in Schedule I.1 of the Wildlife Area Regulations; signage is also posted at access points.
The management of Tway NWA focuses on water level manipulation. The goal is to sustain wetland habitats for wildlife through drought or dry weather. Maintenance of water level control structures is accomplished in cooperation with Ducks Unlimited Canada. The Canadian Wildlife Service manages haying or grazing of upland cover.
Few people use the NWA for bird watching, photography, or nature study. Tway NWA, however, provides opportunities for wildlife-oriented public activities which complement the conservation objectives of the NWA.
Authorized activities listed in Schedule I.1 of the Wildlife Area Regulations for Tway NWA, include:
- wildlife viewing
- hiking
- non-commercial berry picking
- non-motorized boat launching and boat landing
- non-motorized boating
- sport hunting — including with dogs off-leash when hunting migratory game birds — without a commercial guide, from half an hour before sunrise to half an hour after sunset, if the hunting is carried out
- in accordance with any applicable federal permit and any authorization required by the laws of Saskatchewan for sport hunting in that province; and
- without the use of toxic shot
- activities referred to in items 1 to 5 during the hour before sunrise and the hour after sunset, in addition to during the period referred to in subsection 3.1(3)
More information on access and permitting can be obtained by contacting the Environment and Climate Change Canada regional office.
Map of the area
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Long description
This map showing the area around Tway Lake in central Saskatchewan. The boundaries of Tway National Wildlife Area are indicated. The protected area is located to the south of Highway 320, the west of Highway 20 and the north of Tway. It covers a section of Tway Lake and a portion of the land surrounding it. The scale on the map is in kilometers. Permanent water, intermittent water, roads and highways are indicated on the map. A small inset national map situates the NWA’s location in Canada.
This map is for illustrative purposes only and should not be used to define legal boundaries.
Summary table
| Category | Information |
|---|---|
| Protected Area designation | National Wildlife Area |
| Province/territory | Saskatchewan |
| Latitude/longitude | 52°46' North / 105°25' West |
| Size | 250 ha |
| Reason for Creation of protected area | To enhance and protect a wetland habitat for waterfowl, insulated from threats of drainage by human activity or drought |
| Date created (Gazetted) | 1978 - Legal Description |
| International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Management Category | Habitat/Species Management Area (IV) |
| Additional designations | None |
| Main habitat type |
|
| Listed Species under the Species at Risk Act (SARA) | Amphibians:
Birds: |
| Invasive species |
|
| Other species | Birds:
Mammals:
|
| Main threats and challenges |
|
| Management Agency | Environment and Climate Change Canada (Canadian Wildlife Service) |
| Public access and usage | Authorized activities listed in Schedule I.1 of the Wildlife Area Regulations for Tway NWA, include:
|
Note: If there is a discrepancy between the information presented on this web page, any notice posted at the NWA site and the law, the law prevails, as it is the legal instrument authorizing the activity.
Contact us
Environment and Climate Change Canada - Prairie Region
Canadian Wildlife Service
Protected Areas Program
115 Perimeter Road
Saskatoon, SK
S7N 0X4
Toll-free: 1-800-668-6767 (in Canada only)
Email: enviroinfo@ec.gc.ca
Related links
- Canada Wildlife Act
- Wildlife Area Regulations
- Tway NWA Management Plan
- Tway NWA pamphlet
- Tway NWA on Google Maps (Please note that the Google map is a complementary source of information and does not represent the official map or site name)
Page details
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