The Kingsmere River (54.03°N, 106.42°W), located within Prince Albert National Park, flows approximately 3 km from Kingsmere Lake to Waskesiu Lake. It is a river in name only, and would be better characterized as a cold, clear-water boreal stream. The Kingsmere River was modified by the construction of a breakwater, a diversion canal and several dams in order to improve accessibility by motor boats. Over a period of decades, much of the Kingsmere River was gradually transformed from a wild river into a regulated boat canal. Prince Albert National Park was established to keep lands and waters unimpaired for future generations, but aquatic systems (lakes, rivers and fish) were manipulated and exploited during the same time period that terrestrial ecosystems (forests, mammals and birds) were largely preserved and protected.
Parks Canada began to restore the original natural characteristics of the Kingsmere River in accordance with the park's management plan. The objectives of restoration actions included (i) increasing water velocities and dynamic channel movement; (ii) increasing the abundance and extending the distribution of organisms adapted to flowing-water conditions; (111) removing artificial obstacles to the movement of fish between Waskesiu Lake and Kingsmere Lake; and (iv) reintroducing important biotic elements such as large woody debris and beaver works.