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1854 Treaty Authority

Wild Rice Monitoring

The 1854 Treaty Authority initiated a wild rice monitoring program in 1998. When compared to the historic record, a decline in wild rice abundance seems apparent. However, no formal record exists and present trends are even less apparent. The wild rice monitoring program attempts to document wild rice abundance, determine trends, and locate suitable sites for restoration efforts.

This monitoring program has been conducted on twelve different waters in the 1854 Ceded Territory at some point, with seven lakes included each year from 1998-2007 (please see map).

Water depth and water temperature are tracked on each lake soon after ice out until late fall. Water quality measurements such as pH, dissolved oxygen, conductivity, and total dissolved solids are also recorded throughout this period.

Surveys to estimate wild rice density and acreage are conducted on each lake when the rice is standing and reaching maturity. An abundance index is then calculated for each lake to compare wild rice success across years. A complete report entitled "Wild Rice Monitoring and Abundance in the 1854 Ceded Territory (1998-2007)" is available on the reports and publications page (click here).