External Projects
The following are just some of the notable projects and research to do with water in Alberta.
Agriculture’s Water Future
From March 2021 to March 2023, a pilot project in the Oldman River Watershed was conducted to explore water stewardship through the agri-food supply chain in southern Alberta. The project piloted water stewardship planning with operations at different levels within the supply chain, and assessed the opportunities and challenges of water stewardship for the agriculture and agri-food industry overall.
Athabasca River Basin Initiative
The Sustainable Water Management in the Athabasca River Basin Initiative (the ARB Initiative or Initiative) was an innovative project to identify water management issues, assess opportunities, and propose ways to build resilience to change.
The Project
Stormwater Management Cooperative
The Stormwater Management Cooperative (CSMI) started in 2012 with a grass roots approach. The Western Irrigation District (WID) spearheaded an effort to bring together five partner municipalities and the Calgary Regional Partnership (CRP) to develop a regional stormwater solution.
The Project
Dynamics of Alberta’s Water Supply
The Alberta Water Research Institute, now known as the Water Resources Strategic Area for Alberta Innovates – Energy and Environment Solutions, brought together a team of Alberta and international water experts to synthesize a wide array of data and information to develop a complete water budget for Alberta. The collective work identifies research and information gaps and develops an overall approach to the mapping of water risk and vulnerability.
The Project
South Saskatchewan River Operational Model
The headwaters of the South Saskatchewan River Basin (SSRB) are located on the Eastern Slopes of the Rocky Mountains of Alberta. The SSRB in Alberta is part of the Saskatchewan River Basin that covers most of southern Saskatchewan and central Manitoba. In Alberta, the SSRB includes the Bow, Red Deer, Old Man, and South Saskatchewan rivers; these rivers provide water to the cities of Calgary, Red Deer, Lethbridge, and Medicine Hat as well as all 11 of the province’s irrigation districts. Much of the water that is consumed in the SSRB is used in irrigation districts and agriculture; the agri-food industry provides economic diversification within the region.
Bow River Project
In 2010, the Bow River Project Research Consortium was established to explore options for re-managing the river system from headwaters to confluence- the Bow River Project (BRP). The Consortium’s work shows that improvements in managing the Bow River System are realistic and doable with minimal economic impact on power generation revenues
The Project
Resilience and Mitigation Branch
The Resilience and Mitigation Branch of Alberta Environment and Parks continues on the work started with the Flood Recovery Task Force. The role of the Resilience and Mitigation Branch is to work with municipalities, First Nations, key stakeholders, and other branches of the Alberta Government to improve the flood and drought resiliency of our province.
The Project