A few municipal leaders around Lake Manitoba are voicing their preference for the southern-most route for the additional outlet between lakes Manitoba and St. Martin.

Grahamdale Reeve Clifford Halaburda says they're hoping to see the longest option --a 22.8-kilometre channel between Watchorn Bay on Lake Manitoba, and Lake St. Martin's Birch Creek. It was one of the six options presented last year, with the remaining five taking a much shorter route closer to the Fairford River. While it's the longest channel of the options, Halaburda says it would mitigate the negative impact on those living in the area.

"What the landowners are saying is that if the channel goes through the highland, they're going to destroy many good acres of good agricultural land. What the adjacent landowners are saying is that if the water's to be moved and the channel's to be constructed, they want to see it in the lower areas of the land."

While the RM of Grahamdale is where the channel would be constructed, others in the area also feel the southern route is preferred. Halaburda says the Municipality of West Interlake is supporting their call, as is the RM of Coldwell. Coldwell Reeve Brian Sigfusson is also concerned about the possible impact of the high-ground routes but also notes the longer route also helps avoid some of the large rock formations present in the paths of the possible northern channels.

"We'd like them to do the Birch Creek, Watchorn Bay route. It's a little bit further, but there's far less to cut and it will serve the farmers a lot better."

He anticipates by avoiding the major rock cuts, it could actually be cheaper to take the longer route.

Conversations between municipalities and the province have been ongoing, but not much is known in terms of a final decision. Both Sigfusson and Halaburda note environmental studies could mean the difference in which route is taken, but Halaburda says there's also a concern over the impact of the northern routes on the region's water supply.

"Nobody seems to know if it's going to go through the low-lying area or the highlands. The second option is to cross further north, but there's a big rock ridge to cross. I don't know if that's possible, for the simple reason there's a big rock cut there, and it might harm or destroy the underground aquifer."

Halaburda says the province seems willing to work with the municipalities, but only after studies are completed will a final decision come forward.