You are invited to join the discussion!

The NSWA is engaging with community leaders who live and do business within the North Saskatchewan Watershed. Discussion began in February 2009 with Rural Municipalities. A second meeting was held with this group in December 2009. We are now opening up these meetings to other community leaders in the watershed. You are invited to join the discussions taking place in each of the Headwaters, Central and Downstream sub-regions.

Please go to our Planning Forums section for more details...

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Instream Flow Needs Scoping Study

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NSWA contracted Golder Associates to outline potential scientific methods for determining Instream Needs* (IN) for the North Saskatchewan River Basin (NSRB). IN assessments determine flow levels and water quality requirements for protecting aquatic ecosystems and other uses. An IN assessment will form one component of the NSRB Integrated Watershed Management Plan (IWMP) and assist setting Water Conservation Objectives for flow and water quality. During winter 2007/2008 NSWA staff and the IWMP Steering Committee will be assessing which aspects of the IN approaches presented by Golder will be incorporated into the next phases of IWM planning.

The IN scoping study provides NSWA with considerable background information necessary for developing the IWMP. This includes:

  • A geographic segmentation analysis of the NSR mainstem based on flow regimes, channel geomorphology and confluences with major tributaries. The segmentation provides basic study and management units for defining instream flow needs, water quality objectives and other components of the IWMP.
  • A comprehensive literature review of over 200 government and scientific publications relating to the hydrology, geomorphology, biodiversity, water quality and other attributes of the NSR watershed. Literature is categorized by topic, reference, report availability, reach location, study description, types of data or parameters, duration and subjective relevance to IN.
  • A summary of available water quality data in Alberta Environment’s Water Quality Data System for 15 key variables across the 17 reaches of the main river and four contributing watersheds (Brazeau, Clearwater, Sturgeon and Vermilion rivers).
  • A collection of a wide variety of GIS data sources used for IN and watershed assessment, including land use/land cover, soil and drainage and topography.
  • A detailed review of approaches for modeling IN

Download the report in PDF format below.

NSR Instream Needs Scoping Study
• Click here to view. (PDF - 6.7 mb)

* This study was originally conceived as an Instream Flow Needs Scoping Study, but NSWA revised the terminology to accurately reflect the broader scope (flow and water quality).