Local initiative was again stirred following major flooding damage in the Miami region during 1979. A request came from the Rural Municipality of Thompson, and the Tobacco Creek Steering Committee was struck comprising local people and Federal and Provincial experts. The committee's goal was to undertake an in-depth investigation of the region's land and water management issues.  

Locally, it was suggested that a number of "small dams" strategically placed within the headwaters of the Tobacco Creek watershed might have the cumulative impact of one larger flood reduction reservoir. These small dams would also provide a range of additional water retention benefits throughout the community.  

Shortly afterward, the Deerwood association was formed. Deerwood represented a group of concerned farmers along the escarpment who began exploring means by which they could work together to address the flooding and erosion concerns which had plagued the area near Miami, Manitoba. In 1985, this group became active in the building of small dams with assistance from the Agri-Food Program, an initiative of the Canada/Manitoba Economic and Regional Development Agreement (ERDA)  

The Deerwood Soil and Water Management Association was in the first generation of some 44 similar "Local Organizations" formed under the Agri-Food program, which was designed to stimulate local agricultural conservation awareness and action. 

This program allowed Deerwood to begin effectively managing water runoff throughout the local escarpment region by promoting and providing a wide range of conservation practices; headwater management continued to be a major area of interest and need. Here one of Deerwood's first small dams is under construction.

Originally addressing local soil conservation needs, the Deerwood Soil and Water Management Association's future will be closely tied to its broader long-term watershed management initiatives comprising the South Tobacco Creek project.

This type of long-term management helps farmers move to integrated and sustainable agricultral practices which provide for our families and enhance the local environment (which this duck enjoys).

http://www.deerwood.mb.ca/vision.html