All Resources

Bow River phosphorus management plan

Description

Heightened nutrient levels in the Bow River downstream of Calgary have long been a concern. In the 1970s and 1980s, high nutrient levels resulted in excessive aquatic plant growth resulting in low... More ≫

Description

Heightened nutrient levels in the Bow River downstream of Calgary have long been a concern. In the 1970s and 1980s, high nutrient levels resulted in excessive aquatic plant growth resulting in low dissolved oxygen and occasional fish mortality. An interim policy on effluent limits was released by Alberta Environment in 2008. This policy required that a regional nutrient load reduction plan be developed for reaches at risk of exceeding water quality guidelines. At the same time the Government of Alberta was transitioning to an environmental management approach that addresses the cumulative effects of resource management decisions and considers the environmental, economic and social implications of development for an entire region. In 2011, Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development (ESRD) invited contributing parties in the affected reach of the Bow River to initiate a voluntary, collaborative process to address phosphorus loadings, not just from point sources such as...

Tags

Bow River Phosphorus Management Plan : water quality modeling scenarios

Description

Eight scenarios were run with the Bow River Water Quality Model (BRWQM) to support the Bow River Phosphorus Management Plan (PMP). The scenarios predicted close to 10% increase in the instream... More ≫

Description

Eight scenarios were run with the Bow River Water Quality Model (BRWQM) to support the Bow River Phosphorus Management Plan (PMP). The scenarios predicted close to 10% increase in the instream Total Phosphorus (TP) concentration above Highwood River using the loading projected by 2039. The Dissolved Oxygen (DO) was above the chronic guideline of 6.5 mg/L in all the scenarios; however, in some instances the DO was below 8.3 mg/L in May and June. The acute guideline showed two critical locations: 10 km downstream from Bonnybrook and 10 km downstream from Strathmore wastewater treatment plants (WWTP). The frequency of compliance was at or below 99.91% in these two locations for the scenarios that used the forecasted TP loading by 2039.

Tags

Bow River phosphorus management plan : scenario modeling results for Crowfoot Creek

Description

The SWAT (Soil Water Assessment Tool) model was selected to simulate different agricultural practices and BMP options in Crowfoot Creek. The Crowfoot Creek watershed was selected as a pilot study... More ≫

Description

The SWAT (Soil Water Assessment Tool) model was selected to simulate different agricultural practices and BMP options in Crowfoot Creek. The Crowfoot Creek watershed was selected as a pilot study area for rural nonpoint source BMP scenario modeling in Bow River Basin. Seven scenarios were run with the SWAT model to support the PMP. These included: protection of existing wetlands; restoration of degraded/drained wetlands; manure management and spreading; cropland conversion to perennial forage in riparian zones or in-field gullies/waterways; and riparian fall grazing within cultivated lands.

Tags

Report on the Bow River Phosphorus Management Plan INFFER analysis

Description

Land Stewardship Centre (LSC) is working to bring awareness and knowledge of the Investment Framework for Environmental Resources to Alberta, and in particular, to key decision makers, land-use... More ≫

Description

Land Stewardship Centre (LSC) is working to bring awareness and knowledge of the Investment Framework for Environmental Resources to Alberta, and in particular, to key decision makers, land-use planners and program developers, in an effort to grow the capacity for implementing an asset-based, outcome-focused approach to natural resource management. LSC utilized the INFFER framework as a decision support mechanism to assist the Bow River Phosphorous Management Plan (BRPMP) Steering Committee in developing a phosphorus management plan. Included in the analysis was a need for clearly identifying the targeted asset, an assessment of the potential impacts of specific programs, estimating the adoption of programs by landowners and land managers, short and long-term costs for each proposed scenario, and risk estimates.

Tags

Muskeg River watershed management framework second 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. This report...

Tags

Guidelines for municipal wastewater irrigation

Description

The previous guidelines on wastewater irrigation entitled, A practical guide to Municipal Wastewater Irrigation - Discussions and Guidelines, was first published by Alberta Environment in June,... More ≫

Description

The previous guidelines on wastewater irrigation entitled, A practical guide to Municipal Wastewater Irrigation - Discussions and Guidelines, was first published by Alberta Environment in June, 1984. These guidelines were intended for the use of municipalities considering irrigation as a method for disposal of wastewater. After fifteen years, the focus of the program remains the same, i.e. wastewater irrigation is agriculturally beneficial and environmentally acceptable provided effective management practices are adopted and followed. The new guideline contains the procedures that must be followed in developing and managing wastewater irrigation projects, including wastewater quality characterization, land unit suitability factors, soil and vegetation loading limitations, and various irrigation system design considerations.

Tags

Water bodies and the management of beds and shores

Description

Topics covered in this two-page fact sheet include: extent of ownership of beds and shores, effect of flooding on ownership, affect of drought on ownership, accreted lands, access to bed and... More ≫

Description

Topics covered in this two-page fact sheet include: extent of ownership of beds and shores, effect of flooding on ownership, affect of drought on ownership, accreted lands, access to bed and shore, and management of bed and shores.

Tags

Sand and gravel ... where a river runs through it : (a report on sand and gravel extraction in river valleys)

Description

This document focuses on the resource manager's approval process for extraction activities of surface materials in relation to existing guidelines or studies undertaken by different agencies. Many... More ≫

Description

This document focuses on the resource manager's approval process for extraction activities of surface materials in relation to existing guidelines or studies undertaken by different agencies. Many of these guidelines and studies have not been used by field staff in the past.

Tags

Canmore flood risk mapping study

Description

The Canmore Flood Risk Mapping Study was conducted as part of the Canada-Alberta Flood Damage Reduction Program to prepare flood risk maps for a 20 km reach of the Bow River from the Banff... More ≫

Description

The Canmore Flood Risk Mapping Study was conducted as part of the Canada-Alberta Flood Damage Reduction Program to prepare flood risk maps for a 20 km reach of the Bow River from the Banff National Park boundary, through the Town of Canmore,to downstream of Dead Man Flat. This study is concerned with only surface flooding caused by open-water floods. Potential flooding because of groundwater was not investigated. A review of historical flooding int he study area indicates that recent flood events, including the 1974 flood, have return periods lower than five years based on the hydrologic assessment by Alberta Environment, Hydrology Branch. The review also indicates that ice-related flooding has rarely occurred through the Town of Canmore.

Tags

Flood frequency analysis : North Saskatchewan River at Edmonton

Description

This study determines flood magnitudes for the North Saskatchewan River at Edmonton. Both natural and regulated annual maximum flood flows are examined in the assessment of the frequency of... More ≫

Description

This study determines flood magnitudes for the North Saskatchewan River at Edmonton. Both natural and regulated annual maximum flood flows are examined in the assessment of the frequency of occurrence of future flood peak flow rates. Recorded flows and water levels within the North Saskatchewan River basin above Edmonton form the basis of the analyses. Several frequency distributions were applied to the annual flood discharge data and the most applicable distribution was selected. The results of the analyses reflect the most current information and methodologies available to determine flood frequency estimates.

Tags