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Lower Athabasca Region : status of ambient environmental condition

Description

Reports on the condition of air and surface water in the Lower Athabasca Region, as part of the Government of Alberta's commitments made under the Lower Athabasca Regional Plan to annual and... More ≫

Description

Reports on the condition of air and surface water in the Lower Athabasca Region, as part of the Government of Alberta's commitments made under the Lower Athabasca Regional Plan to annual and ongoing monitoring, evaluation and reporting.

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Guide to Water Act authorizations required for dugouts, borrow pits and other types of pits/excavations

Description

Excavations into the ground intended to collect and hold water require authorization under the Water Act. This document was written to provide guidance to Water Act approval writers when... More ≫

Description

Excavations into the ground intended to collect and hold water require authorization under the Water Act. This document was written to provide guidance to Water Act approval writers when responding to inquiries or applications for Water Act approvals or licences for dugouts, borrow pits or other pits/excavations. Other excavations that may be created for the purpose of drainage, flood control, erosion control, or channel realignment are not addressed by this guide.

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North Saskatchewan regional plan : lake paleolimnology survey

Description

Pigeon and Wabamun Lakes are among the most heavily used recreational lakes in Alberta. Recently, apparent increases in algal blooms and fish kills have threatened the ecological integrity of... More ≫

Description

Pigeon and Wabamun Lakes are among the most heavily used recreational lakes in Alberta. Recently, apparent increases in algal blooms and fish kills have threatened the ecological integrity of these systems and may negatively affect their value to users. Limnological studies for the lakes are limited to the past 35 years, leading to uncertainty about the degree to which water quality has changed due to human activities. This study was initiated to fill this information gap from historical limnological data preserved in lake sediments. To better understand how to effectively manage cumulative impacts on the lakes, it is necessary to understand conditions in the lakes prior to development. Knowing these pre-development conditions will assist in setting reasonable and achievable goals for lake management.

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North Saskatchewan river : water quality and related studies (2007-2012) final report

Description

The purpose of this report was to provide a synoptic evaluation of the North Saskatchewan River and anthropogenic impacts on that system. The report summarizes data collected from 2007-2012 and... More ≫

Description

The purpose of this report was to provide a synoptic evaluation of the North Saskatchewan River and anthropogenic impacts on that system. The report summarizes data collected from 2007-2012 and builds on findings from technical study reports produced during this time period, including information on water quality, sediment quality and biota. This document provides a summary of the studies conducted, their purpose, methods, information gained and relevance to local and basin-wide water management. The report also evaluates the present state of the aquatic environment in the NSR and assesses effects on the in-stream water quality and aquatic ecosystem health resulting from current human activities in the watershed.

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Lower Athabasca Region : status of ambient environmental condition 2012 : air quality management framework, surface water quality management framework

Description

The Government of Alberta is reporting to Albertans on the condition of air and surface water in the Lower Athabasca Region for the year 2012. Through Air Quality Management Framework for Nitrogen... More ≫

Description

The Government of Alberta is reporting to Albertans on the condition of air and surface water in the Lower Athabasca Region for the year 2012. Through Air Quality Management Framework for Nitrogen Dioxide and Sulphur Dioxide and the Lower Athabasca Region Surface Water Quality Management Framework for the Lower Athabasca River, we are fulfilling a commitment made under the Lower Athabasca Regional Plan to annual and ongoing monitoring, evaluation and reporting.

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Environmental quality guidelines for Alberta surface waters [2014]

Description

This document updates and expands surface water quality and aquatic ecosystem guidelines for Alberta and provides science-based recommendations that protect water uses and form a cornerstone of... More ≫

Description

This document updates and expands surface water quality and aquatic ecosystem guidelines for Alberta and provides science-based recommendations that protect water uses and form a cornerstone of aquatic ecosystem management and protection. Included are guidelines for surface water quality (to protect aquatic life, agricultural, and recreational uses), sediment quality, and tissue residue (to protect wildlife consumers).

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South Saskatchewan Region surface water quality management framework : for the mainstem Bow, Milk, Oldman and South Saskatchewan Rivers (Alberta)

Description

Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development (ESRD) has developed environmental management frameworks for air quality and surface water quality under the South Saskatchewan Regional... More ≫

Description

Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development (ESRD) has developed environmental management frameworks for air quality and surface water quality under the South Saskatchewan Regional Plan. These frameworks are designed to maintain flexibility and proactively manage the cumulative effects of human activity on ambient air quality and surface water quality within the South Saskatchewan Region. The frameworks do not replace existing regulatory processes. They contribute to managing growth pressures on air, land and water over the coming decades, adding to and complementing existing policies, legislation, regulations and management tools. The frameworks are policy documents that will be given legal authority as specified in the regional plan, and through the mandates and legislation of Environment and Sustainable Resource Development and, potentially, other government departments.

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Bow River phosphorus management plan (PMP) : water quality data analysis

Description

The Bow River begins in the Rocky Mountains and runs through foothills onto the prairies, ending at the confluence with the Oldman River, where it becomes the South Saskatchewan River. The river... More ≫

Description

The Bow River begins in the Rocky Mountains and runs through foothills onto the prairies, ending at the confluence with the Oldman River, where it becomes the South Saskatchewan River. The river is an important source of water for municipal use, livestock, irrigation, fisheries, recreational use and hydroelectric power. Between the Bearspaw and Bassano Dams, water needs from population, industry and agriculture result in large bodies of water being withdrawn from the Bow. The high reliance on the Bow River in this area makes it important to understand the quality of the water available and to plan effectively for its use. One component of this planning is analysing the water quality data that has been gathered for this reach.

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Bow River phosphorus management plan (PMP) : modelling for phosphorus

Description

The Bow River begins in the Rocky Mountains and runs through foothills onto the prairies, ending at the confluence with the Oldman River, where it becomes the South Saskatchewan River. The river... More ≫

Description

The Bow River begins in the Rocky Mountains and runs through foothills onto the prairies, ending at the confluence with the Oldman River, where it becomes the South Saskatchewan River. The river is an important source of water for municipal use, livestock, irrigation, fisheries, recreational use and hydroelectric power. Between the Bearspaw and Bassano Dams, population, industry and agriculture result in large volumes of water being withdrawn from the Bow. The high reliance on the Bow River in this area makes it important to understand the quality of the water available and to plan effectively for its use. One component of this planning is water quality modelling.

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Long-term river network sites for water quality monitoring in Alberta

Description

This map shows the various river locations of long-term water quality monitoring sites in Alberta.

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