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Respect our lakes : understanding lake science

Description

The scientific study of lakes helps us assess lake conditions and monitor changes over time. This is especially important as we are seeing increased pressure on lakes due to shoreline development,... More ≫

Description

The scientific study of lakes helps us assess lake conditions and monitor changes over time. This is especially important as we are seeing increased pressure on lakes due to shoreline development, agricultural practices, vegetation removal, intensive land-use and increased recreational use. Climatic variability also affects water quality and quantity. Through ongoing lake monitoring, we can track the state of our lakes and inform lake management planning for the long-term benefit of lakes.

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Lower Athabasca region : surface water quantity management framework for the Lower Athabasca River

Description

The Surface Water Quantity Management Framework for the Lower Athabasca River establishes weekly management triggers and water withdrawal limits to enable proactive management of mineable oil... More ≫

Description

The Surface Water Quantity Management Framework for the Lower Athabasca River establishes weekly management triggers and water withdrawal limits to enable proactive management of mineable oil sands water use from the Athabasca River. The Framework also introduces a series of adaptive management triggers that will indicate when river flow and water use conditions are close to-, or outside of-, the range of predicted future conditions used in modelling and development of the weekly management triggers and water withdrawal limits.

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Athabasca River water management framework : Alberta's regulatory backstop to protect the Athabasca River

Description

Alberta Environment is setting strict limits on how much water oil sands companies can remove from the Athabasca River under a new framework that sets maximum withdrawals. With this unprecedented... More ≫

Description

Alberta Environment is setting strict limits on how much water oil sands companies can remove from the Athabasca River under a new framework that sets maximum withdrawals. With this unprecedented action, Alberta Environment is putting in place a water management framework for immediate protection of the Athabasca. Alberta is providing this regulatory backstop as an interim measure while key stakeholders continue to work on long-term planning to safeguard the river.

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Water quality conditions and long-term trends in Alberta lakes

Description

Alberta Environment and Water (AEW) monitors the surface water quality of provincial lakes to evaluate short- and long-term environmental conditions, and to inform lake management and policy. The... More ≫

Description

Alberta Environment and Water (AEW) monitors the surface water quality of provincial lakes to evaluate short- and long-term environmental conditions, and to inform lake management and policy. The objectives of the study were to: 1) review AEW provincial water quality database and select lakes with long-term data suitable for statistical trend analysis; 2) provide and overview of water quality conditions and long-term trends in lakes; and 3) investigate the influences of water management and lake level on water quality.

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Lower Athabasca Region : surface water quality management framework for the Lower Athabasca River

Description

Environment and Sustainable Resource Development's three Lower Athabasca Region management frameworks were designed to maintain flexibility and to proactively manage cumulative effects to air... More ≫

Description

Environment and Sustainable Resource Development's three Lower Athabasca Region management frameworks were designed to maintain flexibility and to proactively manage cumulative effects to air quality, surface water quality and groundwater quality and quantity within the Lower Athabasca Region. The frameworks provide context for development and related regulatory processes and facilitate sustainable resource management. They are intended to add to and complement, not replace, existing policies, legislation, regulations and management tools.

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Lake and watershed management options for the control of nuisance blue-green algal blooms in Pigeon Lake, Alberta

Description

Due to natural soil characteristics and proximity to major urban centres, the Pigeon Lake watershed has undergone significant urban and rural development in the past decades. In recent years,... More ≫

Description

Due to natural soil characteristics and proximity to major urban centres, the Pigeon Lake watershed has undergone significant urban and rural development in the past decades. In recent years, occurrences of significant blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) blooms have been documented at Pigeon Lake. The following report includes an overview of cyanobacterial ecology and provides a list of in-lake and watershed management options for control of nuisance blue-green blooms and outlines the benefits, disadvantages and applicability to Pigeon Lake. While several options are available for stakeholders to pursue, it is important that a cost-benefit analysis be conducted beforehand and that stakeholders ensure that all applicable permits and approvals be obtained.

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Guidance for deriving site-specific water quality objectives for Alberta rivers. Version 1.0

Description

This document is for professionals tasked with drafting site-specific water quality objectives. It outlines foundational concepts about water quality management, and defines guidelines,... More ≫

Description

This document is for professionals tasked with drafting site-specific water quality objectives. It outlines foundational concepts about water quality management, and defines guidelines, objectives, triggers, targets and ambient limits. It describes the principle of protecting all uses of water and that use-protection guidelines are consequently the desired minimum level of protection.

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Water for life : progress report, December 1, 2008-March 31, 2011

Description

This progress report highlights a selection of the activities, programs, and tools being pursued under the Water for Life strategy within the timeframe of December 2008 to March 2011. Each section... More ≫

Description

This progress report highlights a selection of the activities, programs, and tools being pursued under the Water for Life strategy within the timeframe of December 2008 to March 2011. Each section of the report contains a selection of accomplishments and a featured story. A table outlining actions planned for the goals or key direction is also included.

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Water for life : action plan

Description

The Water for Life strategy outlines the Government of Alberta's commitments to manage and safeguard Alberta's water resources. The strategy has been the vehicle for managing Alberta's precious... More ≫

Description

The Water for Life strategy outlines the Government of Alberta's commitments to manage and safeguard Alberta's water resources. The strategy has been the vehicle for managing Alberta's precious water resources since its release in 2003. The goals and key directions outlined in the Strategy will be achieved through the Water for Life action plan, which is designed to ensure achievable and timely outcomes that reflect growing pressures on the province's water supplies.

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Muskeg River watershed integrated water quality monitoring program [First] annual report

Description

In 2008, Alberta Environment adopted a management framework for the Muskeg River watershed. The management framework defines criteria for evaluation of water quantity and water quality in the... More ≫

Description

In 2008, Alberta Environment adopted a management framework for the Muskeg River watershed. The management framework defines criteria for evaluation of water quantity and water quality in the Muskeg River watershed. Observed conditions are compared against scientifically established limits that have been developed specifically for the Muskeg River Watershed. These limits are based on data collected within the watershed, as well as more broad information on streamflow, water quality and requirements of the aquatic ecosystem. One of the key recommendations of the management framework was the development of an integrated monitoring program for the Muskeg River watershed to coordinate offlease monitoring activities that are currently conducted by individual companies and Alberta Environment. The main purpose of the integrated monitoring plan is to support the recommendations of the management framework which specify targets and limits for water quality and water quantity.

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