Tours
Discover Winnipeg’s captivating history, architecture, and natural beauty on a scenic river boat tour. Our guides reveal the city’s iconic landmarks and their stories, blending Indigenous heritage, architectural marvels, and the charm of ‘the Peg’. Glide along-side the riverbanks, immersing yourself in the city’s vibrant past and picturesque landscapes. Join us for an unforgettable 45-minute journey through the heart of Winnipeg, where every moment echoes with history and beauty. Participants must arrive at the downtown boat docks 10 minutes before departures at 5:40 PM. In the event of high water levels on the river, this tour is subject to cancellation.
The deadline to register for this tour is June 18, 2026. For more information on the Red River Boat Tour, please visit: winnipegwaterways.ca
Join us for an exploration of the Harry J Enns Wetland Discovery Centre and wetlands at Oak Hammock Marsh, located 40 minutes north of Winnipeg. The tour will include an exploration of the new interactive Discovery Centre and exhibitor halls. Participants will then embark on a canoe excursion through the marsh, paddling in a 10-passenger voyageur-style canoe to get an up-close view of the marsh ecosystem. Enjoy views of the marsh from the Discovery Centre, which also houses Ducks Unlimited staff, including the Institute of Wetland and Waterfowl Research. Learn about the Discovery Centre’s green roof, the wetland wastewater treatment system, Project WET, wetland management, and current research activities, while enjoying the Discovery Centre’s beautiful architecture.
Transportation, lunch, and refreshments will be provided. Pick up time from the Fairmont Hotel is at 9:00 AM and the tour will return to Winnipeg at 2:00 PM. The deadline to register for this tour is June 7, 2026.
For more information on Oak Hammock Marsh, please visit www.oakhammockmarsh.ca
Set sail on Lake Winnipeg! Join the crew of the Lake Winnipeg Research Consortium in Gimli, Manitoba for this half-day excursion onboard the M/V Namao, Lake Winnipeg’s floating research vessel. Discover how scientists on board collect data from different parts of the lake ecosystem. Participants will learn why researchers conduct whole-lake scientific research and monitoring on Lake Winnipeg.
Transportation, lunch, and refreshments will be provided. Pickup time from the Fairmont Hotel is at 7:45 AM *Note: New Time* and the tour will return to Winnipeg at 3:00 PM. Please note that there is limited capacity for this tour. The deadline to register for this tour is June 7, 2026
For more information on the Lake Winnipeg Research Consortium, please visit: www.lakewinnipegresearch.org
The Brokenhead Wetland Ecological Reserve includes a 1.5 km trail and boardwalk that meanders through a balsam fir forest, a cedar bog and the Brokenhead wetland. The diversity of the area is highlighted by many orchid and carnivorous species, medicinal plants and other rare plants. This wetland is a sacred area that has been used by the local Ojibway for over 300 years to sustain them and for sacred ceremonies. Therefore, the theme of the trail was designed to highlight the significance of the historic cultural connection between the Brokenhead Ojibway Nation and the Brokenhead Wetland. The immersive experience is an authentic Indigenous interpretive tour rooted in Anishinaabe knowledge, highlighting land stewardship, ecology, and cultural connections to water.
Transportation and lunch will be provided. Pick up time from the Fairmont Hotel is at 9:00 AM and the tour will return to Winnipeg at 2:00 PM. Please note that there is limited capacity for this tour. The deadline to register for this tour is June 16, 2026.
For more information on the Brokenhead Wetlands, please visit the Brokenhead Wetlands Ecological Reserve website.
Photo credit: Tourism Winnipeg
Tour #1 – June 20, 2024
Lake Diefenbaker and Saskatchewan Irrigation Projects
Cost – $55 per person
Participation is limited to the first 50 registrants
Description – Join us for a full day tour of Saskatchewan irrigation. The tour will visit the Gardiner Dam, the Eastside Pump Station, the potential site of the Westside Pump Station and the M1 Canal and an overview of the South Saskatchewan Irrigation District #1 Infrastructure. In addition, we will discuss value-added business development in Saskatchewan driven by irrigation.
Included in the Package – Transportation by bus, on-board guides, bag lunch
Tour Itinerary
8:30 am Bus leaves Saskatoon – On-bus presentation on Irrigation in Saskatchewan and the West Side Project
Morning, Part 1: Infrastructure and Potential
Guided Tours of:
Broderick Reservoirand M1 Canal
East Side Pump Station, Gardiner Dam, proposed West Side Canal site.
Afternoon Part 2: Business Development
Irrigated production farm visits including:
Potato Farm
Winery
Vegetable Farm
5:00 pm Return Saskatoon
St Denis National Wildlife Area – A Wetland Research Site
Cost – $55 per person
Participation is limited to first 30 registrants
Description – The St Denis National Wildlife Area is was established in 1968 to monitor the effects of agricultural activities on wildlife habitat. Located about 40 km east of Saskatoon, in the prairie pothole region, it is rich in diversity of plant and animal species. Since 1980, a number of research initiatives have been carried out, including investigations of waterfowl and habitat, hydrology and soil science. Since 2011, the Global Institute of Water Security has been monitoring hydrological processes in the soils, wetlands and groundwater. Long-term records of data collection and scientific study and the site provides an excellent opportunity for integrated research on the effects of land management and climate change on the hydrology of the prairie landscape.
This tour will inform you about prairie hydrology, groundwater and land-atmosphere interactions. The tour will include about 4 km of walking over very rough and hilly terrain, so please make sure you are comfortable with this, and bring appropriate clothing, footwear and water.
Included in the Package – Transportation by bus, Tour overview, On-board and On-site guide
Tour Itinerary
9:00 am Bus leaves Saskatoon – GWF Guide on Board
10:00 am St Denis National Wildlife Area Tour
1:00 pm Return to Saskatoon
Note: No meal will be included. Participants should bring water and may bring snacks if desired.
CWRA is now accepting tour recommendations for our upcoming Water Week at Blue. We are anticipating 300-400 members to be attending and what better way to showcase what Ontario has to offer than by a guided tour?
If you have a recommendation, please fill out the form below and a member from our conference committee will get back to you.
If you have any questions, please contact our Tour Lead via email.
Tours will be posted to this page once they have been confirmed.
CWRA is excited to announce a FREE tour with two time options open to everyone including: CWRA and CWS delegates, delegate families, and general public. See below for more information on the following tours:
- Blue Mountain Snow making Tour
NOTE: Space is limited and pre-registration is required for each of these tours and is separate from the National Conference and Water Week at Blue Registration.
Blue Mountain Snowmaking Tour
Discover how the snow making process is operated at the Blue Mountain Resort
Cost: $0
Closed Toe Shoes Required
Monday May 27th, 1:30pm to 2:30pm
Tuesday May 28th, 3:30pm to 4:30pm
Although the event is free, registration is still required and is separate from registration for the National Conference.
