Elbow River Basin Water Management Plan

The Elbow River Watershed Partnership (ERWP), along with a dedicated committee of stakeholders and scientists, released the final draft of the Elbow River Basin Water Management Plan (ERBWMP) on May 30, 2008. A few editing changes were made to the document in January 2009.

Headwaters

Implementation Committee
An implementation committee was struck in September 2008, with representation from all the primary decision-making authorities within the basin. The draft goals of the committee are as follows:

  • Ensure water quality data is sufficient and made available in the most efficient manner.
  • Enhance watershed stewardship.
  • Assist decision-makers with their implementation plans through education and communication.
  • Facilitate the creation of partnerships to undertake appropriate research and carry out implementation strategies.
  • Locate technical advice, as required.
Each jurisdiction and agency will be asked to provide the committee with information on the actions that it is taking to implement the plan. This information will be compiled and posted on this web page.

Background
The ERBWMP focuses on issues of water quality and developing water quality objectives. The Bow Basin Watershed Management Plan (BBWMP) Technical Committee (TC) was responsible for providing the technical leadership in the development of the water quality objectives for the Elbow River. (The roles and responsibilities of the TC and minutes of its meetings can be accessed through the main web page of the BBWMP initiative.)

The four intended outcomes of the ERBWMP are listed below:

  1. Safe, secure drinking water supply
  2. Healthy aquatic ecosystems
  3. Reliable, quality water supplies for a sustainable economy
  4. Inclusive, integrated, and committed stewardship of the river and watershed

The first three are from the provincial Water for Life Strategy.

Water quantity (specifically, water conservation objectives for the Elbow River) was addressed in the South Saskatchewan River Basin Water Management Plan and, as such, was not considered in the ERBWMP.

The ERBWMP Terms of Reference, as well as the Executive Summary, provide background information on the plan and process.

© 2009 Elbow River Watershed Partnership
Elbow River photo courtesy of Jack Ng for The Weaselhead Glenmore Park Preservation Society