Environmental and animal welfare advocates are raising alarm over two massive dairy operations planned in North Dakota, warning of serious pollution risks to Lake Winnipeg through the Red River watershed.
The farms, backed by Minnesota-based Riverview LLP, are set to house a combined 37,500 dairy cows—25,000 in Hillsboro and 12,500 in Abercrombie. Both sites are positioned near critical water bodies, including the Red River and local aquifers. Environmental groups in Manitoba and the U.S. fear that the scale and proximity of these operations could contribute to nutrient overloads in the watershed.
Animal waste from the farms is expected to be stored in large, synthetic-covered lagoons and later spread as fertilizer on surrounding farmland. Advocates warn that during spring melts, heavy rainfall, or flooding, excess nutrients like phosphorus and nitrogen could leach into the river system. These nutrients are known to contribute to toxic blue-green algae blooms in Lake Winnipeg—already one of the world’s most threatened freshwater lakes.
The Abercrombie site has received permits from North Dakota’s Department of Environmental Quality, while the Hillsboro application remains under review. Manitoba’s Environment Minister has requested cross-border engagement through the International Joint Commission, which oversees Canada-U.S. water agreements.
Advocates say existing phosphorus loads in the Red River already exceed international targets, and the added pressure from large-scale livestock waste could hinder restoration goals. While Riverview says its operations will comply with strict environmental standards, critics argue the risks remain high given past lagoon failures and unpredictable weather events.
As regulatory reviews continue, Manitoba stakeholders are urging swift political and public action to protect Lake Winnipeg’s fragile ecosystem from further degradation.
