During the early years of the depression the Council of the R.M. of St. Clements set about to create job opportunities and work situations for its residents. People were hurting and the relief lists were growing at an alarming rate. Council had been negotiating with the Canadian Industries Ltd. since 1929 and had their promise…

Colville Landing, or as it was originally known, Colville Landinga, was named after the Hudson’s Bay Company’s S.S. Colville which plied the waters of Lake Winnipeg for many years. It in turn was named after two of the most important figures in the Hudson’s Bay Company’s history, Andrew Wedderburn Colville, and his son Eden. The…

The St. Andrew’s Lock and Dam is most commonly known for its unique structure. Its adapted French design was used to work with the environment, instead of attempting to control the forces of nature. The creation of the dam increased trade access along the Red River from North to South by raising the water level…

For over one hundred and forty years, the ferry system was one of the most common transportation methods in Manitoba. In St. Clements, the ferry system was crucial in the everyday activities of its citizens, particularly for maintaining communication and flow of goods and services between West and East Selkirk. These raft-resembling crafts were located…

The Anson Northup At one time in history, the Rural Municipality of St. Clements was home to a very prosperous harbour. The Colville Landing played host to numerous steamships which traveled through the region. Trade soared in western Canada with the introduction of this effective method of transportation. Steamship transportation on the Red increased trade,…

We have had many disastrous floods over the years, but the one foremost in our minds was the flood of 1950. Let’s compare the 1950 flood with other major floods on the Red River: 1950– an elevation at the junction of the Red and Assiniboine of 758.5 feet, 30.9 feet   above city datum or 12.9…

St Andrews Lock and Dam The natural course of the Red River had always been blocked by series of rapids which started just north of Middle-church and continued downstream to the St. Andrew’s rapids. The rapids, while considered by many to be picturesque, were an impediment to navigation as they fall some 15 feet within…