Bow Report 20121 PDF

Bow River Basin Council
Bow Basin Watershed Management Plan
2012
Land Use, Headwaters,

Wetlands, Riparian Lands, Water Quality
ISBN: 978-0-9737429-2-3
This report is published by the Bow River Basin Council (BRBC). The BRBC make no warranty, express or implied,
nor assume any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information
contained in this publication, nor that use thereof infringe on privately owned rights. The views and opinions of the
author(s) expressed herein do not necessarily reflect those of the BRBC. The directors, officers, employees, agents
and consultants of the BRBC are exempted, excluded and absolved from all liability for damage or injury, howsoever
caused, to any person in connection with or arising out of the use by that person for any purpose of this publication or
its contents.
The BRBC would like to thank the ENMAX Corporation and the Government of Alberta for their generous financial
contributions towards the production of the Bow Basin Water Management Plan 2012.
Copyright Bow River Basin Council 2012
This report is available and may be freely downloaded from the BRBC website at www.brbc.ab.ca.
Cover Photo: Quirk Creek, courtesy of Jamie Dixon
COPYRIGHT AND TERMS OF USE

This material, including copyright and marks under the Trade-marks Act (Canada), is owned by the Bow River Basin
Council and protected by law.
PERMISSION STATEMENT
This material may be used, reproduced, stored or transmitted for non-commercial purposes. However, BRBC
copyright is to be acknowledged. We ask that:
Users exercise due diligence in ensuring the accuracy of the materials reproduced;
The BRBC be identified as the source; and
The reproduction is not represented as an official version of the materials reproduced, nor as having been made, in
affiliation with or with the endorsement of the BRBC.
If it is to be used, reproduced, stored or transmitted for commercial purposes, arrange first for consent by contacting:
Mark Bennett, BRBC Executive Director at (403) 268-4596 or via e-mail at Mark.Bennett@calgary.ca.
DISCLAIMER
Information in this report is provided solely for the users information and, while thought to be accurate, is provided
strictly as is and without warranty of any kind. The BRBC, its agents, employees or contractors will not be liable to
you for any damages, direct or indirect, or lost profits arising out of your use of information provided in this report.
CONTACT US
To learn more about the Bow Basin Watershed Management Plan 2012, please contact Mark Bennett, BRBC Executive
Director at (403) 268-4596 or via e-mail at Mark.Bennett@calgary.ca.
Bow River Project Final Report
Watershed Management Plan 2012
A Message
COMMENTS FROM THE BOW RIVER BASIN COUNCIL CHAIR
Natural capital (also known as Ecosystem services) is an extension of the economic notion of capital to goods
and services relating to the natural environment. Ecosystem services (ES) are the benefits that nature provides to
people. Examples include the ability of forests to regulate carbon and mitigate climate change, or the filtration and
purification of water by wetlands, or the flood attenuation provided by healthy riparian lands adjacent to streams and
creeks. Natural capital may also provide services like recycling wastes or water catchment and erosion control.
Ecosystem services are essential for providing food, clean water, shelter, good health, work, recreation and culture.
We depend on ES for our survival and a high quality of life. Natural capital is thus the stock of natural ecosystems
that yields a flow of valuable ecosystem goods or services into the future. With the importance of ES increasingly
recognized, so too are the threats to natural assets that produce those ES. ES considerations need to be incorporated
into decision-making and policy frameworks to sustain the high quality of life of Albertans.
Since the flow of services from ecosystems requires that they function as whole systems, the structure and diversity
of the system are important components of natural capital. Overuse and undervaluation of ecosystem services has
resulted in their degradation. If this degradation continues, society will need to find substitutes for the ecosystem
services provided by the environment. These substitutes may be very expensive or may not even exist, as some
services can only be provided by nature. The consequences of losing ecosystem services will result in not only a high
economic loss but may have more severe consequences.
The purpose of the Bow Basin Watershed Management Plan (BBWMP) is to provide guidance and
recommendations to decision-making authorities, municipalities, natural resource managers and users and residents
regarding land and water resources in the watershed. Many of these recommendations deal with the preservation of
natural capital and the provision of ecosystem services. The adoption and implementation of this advice will lead to
the nurturing, renewal and protection of the Bow River Basin well into the future.
Mike Kelly
Chairman
Terms such as ecosystem or ecological goods and services are often used to describe ecosystem services. Consistent terminology does not
exist in the literature.
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Acknowledgements
The Bow River Basin Council (BRBC) would like to acknowledge members of the Steering Committee for their
significant contribution in the development of the Bow Basin Watershed Management Plan (BBWMP).
Steve Meadows (Chair) - until 110530
Rob Wolfe (Project Coordination and Alberta
Environment and Water)
Yin Deong (City of Calgary)
Tracy Scott (Ducks Unlimited Canada)
Joanne Little (Alberta Agriculture and Rural
Development)
Axel Anderson (Alberta Foothills Research Institute)
Chad Willms (Rocky View County)
Gerry Guy (Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada)
Amanda Bogen Halawell (Cows and Fish)
Bob Phillips (South East Alberta Watershed Alliance)
Maggie Romuld (Downstream Municipalities & City
of Brooks)
Erik Butters (Upstream Municipalities and MD of
Bighorn)
John Diiwu (Alberta Sustainable Resource
Development)
Gloria Wilkinson (Vice-Chair) - until 111020

Brian Meagher (Trout Unlimited Canada)
Mark Bennett (BRBC Executive Director)
Hugh Pepper (Upstream Municipalities and MD of
Bighorn)
Greg Chernoff (Calgary Regional Partnership and
Mistakis Institute)
Jon Fennell (Consultant Worley Parsons)
Richard Phillips (Bow River Irrigation District)
Joey Young (Alberta Tourism, Parks and Recreation)
Nuno Fragoso (Alberta Wilderness Association)
Bill Hunt (Parks Canada)
Paul Christensen (Alberta Sustainable Resource
Development)
Andrea Czarnecki (Alberta Environment and Water)
In addition, this project would have not been successful without the contributions of the following BRBC Committees.
BRBC Legislation and Policy Committee (Lisa Fox Chair)
BRBC Watershed Stewardship Coordinating Committee (Shirley Pickering Chair)
BRBC Monitoring and Modeling Committee (Jon Fennell Chair)
BRBC Education and Communications Committee (Norm Carlson Chair).
The wealth of information and ideas from individuals who participated in the BBWMP workshops, forums, and
surveys were instrumental in the development of the final BBWMP.
BBWMP Workshop in Cochrane (Fall 2010)
BBWMP Workshop in Cochrane (Winter 2011)
BBWMP Draft Plan Survey (Summer and Fall 2011)
BBWMP Local Decision Maker Forums (Fall 2011)
BBWMP General Public Forums (Fall 2011)
Special thanks to J.P. Bechtold (Golder), Brian Hills (AEW), Joanne Little (ARD), Jamie Dixon (City of Calgary), Rob
Wolfe (AEW), Paul Christensen (ASRD) and Wendell Koning (AEW) for reviewing and suggesting updates to the
water quality objectives from BBWMP Phase One.
Special thanks to the Headwaters and Land Use Expert Review Group which included Bob Phillips (South East
Alberta Watershed Alliance), Chad Willms (Rocky View County), Kevin France (ASRD), Maggie Romuld (South East
Alberta Watershed Alliance), Carolyn Campbell (Alberta Wilderness Association), Cathy Ryan (University of Calgary),
Joe Obad (Water Matters), Tracy Tarves (Western Sky Land Trust), Neil Younger (City of Calgary), and Shirley
Pickering (Highwood Sheep Watershed Groups).
Special thanks to the Wetlands and Riparian lands Expert Review Group which included Jan Simonson (AEW),
Jonathon Thompson (Ducks Unlimited), Shane Gabor (Ducks Unlimited), Norine Ambrose (Cows and Fish), Chris
Manderson (City of Calgary) and Bert van Duin (City of Calgary).
Many other individuals also participated through email, informal meetings, or discussions behind the
scenes; your comments and suggestions were greatly appreciated.
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Executive Summary
INTRODUCTION
The electronic version of this report includes hyperlinks
to all key documents. The electronic version of this
report can be found at http://www.brbc.ab.ca/.
The purpose of the Bow Basin Watershed Management
Plan (BBWMP) is to provide guidance and
recommendations to decision-making authorities,
municipalities, natural resource managers and users
and residents regarding land and water resources in the
watershed. The watershed management plan has been
led by the Bow River Basin Council (BRBC) through
the BBWMP Steering Committee Decision-makers will
continue to work together toward implementing the
BBWMP and achieving the plans outcomes and goals.
To help ensure that agencies and jurisdictions are
working in a coordinated manner, the outcomes
contained within the BBWMP were developed in
alignment with the outcomes from various other
planning initiatives, including the outcomes proposed
by the South Saskatchewan Regional Advisory Council
Advice to the Government of Alberta.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The section below is a summary.
Please refer to the relevant Strategies and Actions

section for the complete recommendation including
additional details. Space limitations prevent the listing
of all proposed implementers and/or actions/strategies.
SUMMARY: STRATEGIES AND ACTIONS

BOW RIVER BASIN COUNCIL
Formation of an implementation committee to provide
assistance and advice to all proposed implementers.
(Rec. 2.1)
Provide ongoing support to local Watershed
Stewardship Groups through programs, funding, inkind support, technical support, policy development,
etc. (Rec. 2.8)
Working with land managers (GOA in the Green
Zone and Municipal Governments in the White Zone)
BRBC will help continue dialogue with the OHV User
Associations in the Bow Basin regarding water-related
negative impacts as a result of OHV use outside of
designated trails. This initial dialogue should result in
a series of next steps. (Rec. 2.10)
Provide and maintain a warehouse of sample

guidelines, policies and bylaws and maps related to
the improvement of watershed health. The site should
be located on the BRBC website with access to all
BRBC members. (Rec. 2.18)
Host a workshop or series of workshops (subject to
available funds) to share information and educate
municipalities on key land use tools and concepts
including 1) erosion and sediment control, 2)
performance management principles 3) integrated
land management principles and 4) low impact
development principles. (Rec. 2.23)
Develop riparian conservation and management
guidelines and/or policies for recreational use in
riparian areas. (Rec. 2.31)
Pending the procurement of project funding, host
a workshop (or workshops) of experts and key
stakeholders to: 1) identify high priority areas for
future wetland and riparian inventories in the Bow
Basin; 2) with the information available, develop
a strategy to identify all significant wetland and
riparian lands and/or complexes in the Bow Basin;
and 3) determine if further management actions are
required (in addition to those contained herein). This
information should be made available on the BRBC
website for municipalities and other decision makers
as an information and decision support tool. A list
of clearly defined action items and next steps should
result from these workshops. The inventory should be
kept up-to-date as new information become available.
(Rec. 2.38/Rec. 2.46)
Host a workshop or a series of workshops (subject
to available funds) of experts and key stakeholders
to raise awareness of existing wetland and riparian
conservation and management tools (e.g., existing
policies, tradable credits, incentives, disincentives,
direct methods, indirect methods, financial methods,
social methods, guidelines, policies, bylaws, zoning
regulations, land use overlays, etc.). A list of clearly
defined action items and next steps should result from
this workshop. (Rec. 2.40)
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BOW BASIN MUNICIPALITIES & FIRST NATIONS

Develop a performance management system (e.g.,
inventories, indicators, targets and thresholds) to
manage the landscape and evaluate progress. (Rec.
2.2)
Develop erosion control and sediment management
policies and/or bylaws for all new developments, and
develop strategies and tools for implementing policies
and bylaws. Ensure erosion control and training
and designation for erosion and sediment control
designers and inspectors. (Rec. 2.3)
Develop guidelines, policies and/or bylaws to
limit landscape fragmentation and minimize the
development and redevelopment footprint through
the application of integrated land management
principles. (Rec. 2.4)
Make land use decisions in a coordinated manner
respecting the shared local community values as
expressed in municipal development plans and land
use bylaws. Intermunicipal development plans should
be considered for transboundary issues such as
wetland complexes and riparian lands. (Rec. 2.7)
etc. (Rec. 2.8)
Incorporate low impact development best
management practices and performance monitoring
into the design of new residential, commercial and
industrial developments. The goal is to achieve predevelopment flow rates and volume, and to help meet
water quality objectives. (Rec. 2.16)
Develop riparian conservation and management
policies and/or bylaws based on no further loss of area
of functioning riparian lands, and develop strategies
and tools for measuring and implementing no net loss
within municipal boundaries.
These tools should address access to riparian lands
and management of inappropriate uses (e.g., zoning
could be considered). (Rec. 2.29 (urban))
In consultation with landowners, develop riparian
conservation, restoration and management strategies,
tools, guidelines, policies and/or bylaws based on no
further loss of area of functioning riparian lands or
functional impairment of riparian lands. Rec. 2.30
(agricultural areas))
grazing management systems such as rotational

grazing, apply buffers around wetlands and riparian
areas, etc.). (Rec. 2.36 and Rec.2.49)
Develop wetland conservation and management
policies and/or bylaws based on no further loss of
wetland areas, and develop strategies and tools for
measuring and implementing no net loss within
municipal boundaries. (Rec. 2.43 (urban))
In consultation with landowners, develop wetland
conservation, restoration and management
guidelines, policies and/or bylaws based on no further
loss of wetland areas, and develop strategies and tools
for measuring and implementing no net loss within
agricultural areas. Rec. 2.44 (agricultural areas))
Develop a process to conserve all hydrologically
significant areas (e.g., critical recharge areas, alluvial
aquifers, etc.) and areas of high biodiversity within the
organizations jurisdiction. (Rec. 2.54)
Create land use districts and accompanying land
use bylaws to manage permitted uses within
hydrologically significant areas. (Rec. 2.55)
Prepare a publicly accessible inventory (database and
maps) of all hydrologically significant areas (e.g.,
critical recharge areas, alluvial aquifers, riparian
lands, floodplains, wetlands, groundwater resources,
etc.) and areas of high biodiversity within the
River connected alluvial aquifers should be mapped
and included on maps as areas where groundwater
protection should be considered. Ideally, alluvial
aquifers should be zoned as groundwater protection
areas, and limited to land uses that are protective of
groundwater (and hence surface water) quality. (Rec.
2.59)
COWS AND FISH

Prepare a summary of all available public Cows and
Fish data for the Bow Basin. (Rec. 2.37)
GOVERNMENT OF ALBERTA
Enhance coordination of land use decisions respecting
the shared local community values as expressed in
municipal development plans and land use bylaws.
(Rec. 2.7)
Apply best management practices for all wetlands and

riparian lands (e.g., targeted access points, alternative

etc. (Rec. 2.8)
GOA will work with key stakeholders, including the
BRBC, to continue dialogue with the OHV User
Associations in the Bow Basin (public land only)
regarding water-related negative impacts as a result
of OHV use outside of designated trails. This initial
dialogue should result in a series of next steps. (Rec.
2.10)
Release Stepping Back from the Water. This
will assist municipalities in developing riparian
conservation and management guidelines, policies
and/or bylaws with an emphasis on determining
development setbacks. (Rec. 2.32)
Finalize and release a provincial wetland policy. (Rec.
2.45)
Develop a process to identify and better manage
for the health and function of the watershed all
hydrologically significant areas (e.g., critical recharge
areas, alluvial aquifers, etc.) and areas of high
biodiversity within the organizations jurisdiction.
(Rec. 2.54)
Continue the development of a provincial aquatic
environmentally significant areas map based on
criteria provided by the Alberta Water Council.
Detailed basin-specific maps should be provided to all
WPACs. (Rec. 2.58)
PARKS CANADA
Develop a process to conserve all hydrologically
significant areas (e.g., critical recharge areas, alluvial
aquifers, etc.) and areas of high biodiversity within the
WATERSHED STEWARDSHIP GROUPS

Continue to: 1) work to identify and better manage
(for the health and function of the watershed) wetland
and riparian lands; 2) identify and restore degraded
wetland and riparian land complexes, 3) educate
their membership and others of the importance of
headwaters, wetlands and riparian lands, aquifers,
springs and seeps; 4) host workshops and projects,
pilot programs for low impact development,
bioengineering, naturescaping, etc.; 5) share created
or combined research and/or knowledge with WPACs,
municipalities, First Nations, other WSGs and

the AWC; and 6) regularly update their respective
websites and materials to demonstrate state of the
art technology or advice for release to members and
others. (Rec. 2.9)
Develop specific education and awareness programs
and/or host educational workshops that are linked
to the four themes contained in this BBWMP (i.e.,
land use, headwaters, wetlands and riparian lands).
A list of suggested educational and awareness topics
is provided in the complete recommendation. (Rec.
2.24)
Identification of strategies to help conserve
hydrologically significant areas that are particularly
vulnerable to land-use impacts (e.g., alluvial aquifers,
recharge zones, groundwater zones susceptible to
contamination, wetland complexes, riparian lands).
(Rec. 2.56)
RESEARCH INSTITUTIONS
Further research is required to determine linear
disturbance thresholds for all sub-basins within the
Bow Basin. This would be particularly effective if done
at the sub-basin watershed scale (e.g., Elbow SubBasin, Highwood Sub-Basin, etc.). (Rec. 2.27)
Further research on ecosystem services for headwaters
and other hydrologically significant areas is required.
(Rec. 2.64)
Further research on market based tools (e.g., tradable
credits, incentives, disincentives, etc.) for headwaters
and hydrologically significant areas is required. (Rec.
2.65)
Further research on effective best management
practices and ways to encourage their adoption.
CONCLUSION
The BBWMP is a living document. As new information
becomes available, updates to the existing version of the
BBWMP should be considered on a case-by-case basis
by the BRBC Board of Directors. All future phases of
the BBWMP will include the work of previous phases
with the goal of building a comprehensive integrated
watershed management plan.
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SIGNATORY PAGE
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Glossary
AARD: Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development.
AE: Alberta Energy.
AEPA: Agri-Environmental Partnership of Alberta.
AEW: Alberta Environment and Water.
ALIDP: Alberta Low Impact Development Partnership.
AWC: Alberta Water Council.
Aquifer: Refers to a sub-surface layer or layers of porous rock which hold water within the spaces between the rocks
(interstitial spaces).
Alluvial aquifer: A non-confined aquifer comprised of groundwater that is under the influence of surface water.
ASRD: Alberta Sustainable Resource Development.
ATPR: Alberta Tourism, Parks and Recreation.
BBWMP: Bow Basin Watershed Management Plan.
Bed and Shore: The land covered so long by water as to wrest it from vegetation or as to mark a distinct character on
the vegetation where it extends into the water or on the soil itself. In Alberta, the province owns most of the beds and
shores of all naturally occurring lakes, rivers and streams.
Bow Basin First Nations: Refers to First Nations in the Bow Basin including the Tsuu Tina Nation, Stoney Nations
(Bearspaw, Chiniki and Wesley) and Siksika Nation.
Bow Basin Municipalities: Includes Improvement Districts, Counties, Municipalities, Cities, Towns, Villages and
Hamlets.
BRBC: Bow River Basin Council.
Buffer: A buffer is a strip of land placed in the landscape and managed in such a way so as to maintain desired
ecological processes and provide economic and societal benefits.
Conservation: The responsible preservation, management and care of our land and or our natural and cultural
resources.2
Cows and Fish: Alberta Riparian Habitat Management Society.
Cumulative Effects: Refers to the combined effects of past, present and reasonably foreseeable future land-use
activities over time on economic, social and environmental values.
DFO: Federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans.
DUC: Ducks Unlimited Canada.
Ecological Boundary: The ecological boundary of a water body is the farthest landward extent of the feature directly
influenced by and ecologically part of the water body. It is defined by a distinct change in soils and/or vegetation as
compared to adjacent upland vegetation.3
South Saskatchewan Regional Advisory Council Advice to the Government of Alberta for the South Saskatchewan Region Plan,
Government of Alberta. 2010.
2
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Ecosystem Services: Ecosystem services are the benefits that nature provides to people. Examples include the ability
of forest to regulate carbon and mitigate climate change, or the filtration and purification of water by wetlands.
Ecosystem services are crucial to long-term, human well-being and economic success.4
Ephemeral Wetland: An area that is periodically covered by standing or slow moving water and that has a basin
typically dominated by vegetation of the low prairie zone, similar to the surrounding lands. Because of the porous
condition of the soils, the rate or water seepage from these areas is very rapid, and surface water may only be retained
for a brief period in early spring.5
ERCB: Energy Resources Conservation Board.
Floodplain: An area adjoining a body of water that has been or may be covered by flood water.6
GOA: Government of Alberta (Departments, Agencies and Boards).
Green Zone (Green Area): Where forestry is the dominant land use activity.7
GWAS: Ghost Watershed Alliance Society.
Headwaters: Headwaters are the upland areas that contribute the greatest portion of flow somewhere in the
range of 80 percent of total volume of the Bow River Basin. Headwaters are characterized by accumulation, storage,
purification and gradual release of surface and groundwater flows.8
Hydrologically Significant Areas: Critical source areas, alluvial aquifers, recharge zones, wetland meadows,
groundwater zones susceptible to contamination, wetland complexes, and riparian lands.9
Hyporheic Zone: The zone beneath and lateral to a stream bed, where there is mixing of shallow groundwater and
surface water.10
Implementer: The individual, agency or jurisdiction proposed to carry out or accomplish a given task.11
Indicators: Indicators are specific physical, chemical, and biological attributes or components of the environment that
play an important role in affecting environmental outcomes. Indicators are always part of the cause-and-effect
relationship between human activities on the landscape and the environmental response to those activities. When
selecting environmental indicators, both condition and pressure indicators should be considered. Condition
indicators measure biotic or abiotic characteristics in the environment such as soil erosion rates, the concentrations
to total suspended solids in the water body, etc. Pressure indicators measure human activities like human land cover
types, pesticide application rates, etc.12
Invasive plants: Refers to non-native species that displace native habitat. Invasive plants typically spread rapidly and
are difficult to control.
Landscapes: Refers to all the natural features such as fields, hills, forests, water, etc., which distinguish one part of the
earths surface from another part.
ERCB Draft Directive - Oil and Gas Development Within or Adjacent to Water.
Bow River Basin Council Definition.
5
Glossary of Terms Related to Water and Watershed Management in Alberta, Alberta Environment, 2008.
6
7
Alberta Sustainable Resource Development.
8
Bow River Basin Council Bow Basin Watershed Management Plan Terms of Reference, 2010.
9
10
White, D.S., Perspectives on Defining and Delineating Hyporheic Zones. Journal of North American Benthological Society 12:61-69. Cross Ref.
CSA. 1993.
11
12
Indicators for Assessing Environmental Performance in the Watersheds of Southern Alberta, Alberta Environment, 2008.
3
4
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Land Use: The occupation or use of land or water area for any human activity or any purpose; a description of how
land is occupied or utilized; the development that has occurred on the land, the development that is proposed by a
developer on the land, or the use that is permitted or permissible on the land under an adopted.13
Land Use District: Under the Alberta Municipal Government Act, a municipality must be divided into land use
districts prescribing permitted and discretionary uses for land, buildings, and development standards.14
Limit: Limits represent levels at which the risk of adverse effects on environmental quality is becoming unacceptable.
Limits consider current science, and are meaningful and future-focused.15
Linear Disturbance: Features that disrupt the structure of a population, community or ecosystem, change the
availability of the resources in the physical environment, and form a more or less straight line pattern in the
landscape.16 Examples include roads, pipelines, and seismic lines amongst others.
NCWP: Nose Creek Watershed Partnership.
NRCB: Natural Resource Conservation Board.
Objective: The desired end result or goal in well-defined, measurable terms achievable within a certain timeframe.
Objectives translate the broad outcomes into more specific quantifiable statements and guide content and direction of
policy.17
OHV: Off-Highway Vehicle.
Outcomes: For planning purposes, outcomes are the desired future conditions that guide the development and
implementation of related programs. Outcomes can be broad and long-term in nature or focused. They are used in
both direction setting and performance measurement.18
Riparian Land: Riparian lands are transition zones between the land and water. Riparian lands include any land that
is directly influenced by a water body, floodplains and/or alluvial aquifers.19
Setback: For the purposes of this document, a setback is a minimum distance that must be maintained between a
land use or development and a water body. The distance is measured from the legal bank of the water body to the
boundary line of the adjacent development.
Source Water: Raw/untreated water received for treatment to provide potable water to municipal, industrial or
private users. Sources may include high quality groundwater, groundwater under the influence of surface water and
surface water from a lake, stream, river or watercourse.20
Target: An indicator value that reflects a desirable environmental outcome.21
Trigger: Triggers are set in advance of limits as early warning signals. Limits and triggers consider current science,
and are meaningful and future-focused.22
American Planning Association.

Association of Summer Villages of Alberta Lake Stewardship Reference Guide, 2006.
15
Environmental Management Frameworks and the Lower Athabasca Regional Plan, Facts at Your Fingertips, Government of Alberta, 2011.
16
Manitoba Wildlands. http://manitobawildlands.org/forests.htm
17
18
Modified from Glossary of Terms Related to Water and Watershed Management in Alberta, Alberta Environment, 2008. The term endpoints
was switched to future conditions.
19
20
South Saskatchewan Regional Advisory Council Advice to the Government of Alberta for the South Saskatchewan Region Plan, Government of
Alberta 2010.
21
Indicators for Assessing Environmental Performance in the Watersheds of Southern Alberta, Alberta Environment, 2008.
22
13
14
Threshold: Threshold has the meaning given to it in a regional plan and may include a limit, target, trigger, range,
measure, index or unit of measurement.23
UDI: Urban Development Institute.
Upland Area: All land areas that are not riparian areas or waterbodies.24
Water Body: Means any location where water flows or is present, whether or not the flow or the presence of water is
continuous, intermittent or occurs only during a flood, and includes but is not limited to wetlands and aquifers.25
Water Management Plan: A document developed under the Water Act that provides broad guidance regarding
water conservation and management, sets clear and strategic directions regarding how water should be managed, or
results in specified actions. Albertas Framework for Water Management Planning outlines the process for water
management planning and the components required for water management plans. The process applies to all water
bodies in Alberta, including streams, rivers, lakes, aquifers, and wetlands. The plans may be considered by a Director
when making licence and approval decisions. An Approved Water Management Plan must be considered by a Director
when making licence and approval decisions.26
Watershed Management Plan: A comprehensive document that addresses many issues in a watershed including water
quantity, water quality, point and non-point-source pollution, and source water protection. It may or may not include
a Water Management Plan. It may also examine ways to better integrate land and resource management within a
watershed.27
Watershed: An area of land that catches precipitation and drains it to a specific point such as a marsh, lake, stream
or river. A watershed can be made up of a number of sub-watersheds that contribute to the overall drainage of the
watershed.28
Wetland: Land that is saturated with water long enough to promote wetland or aquatic processes as indicated by
poorly drained soils, water-loving or tolerant vegetation, and various kinds of biological activity which are adapted to
a wet environment.29
White Zone (White Area): Where agriculture is the dominant land use activity.30
WSG: Watershed Stewardship Groups are community-based groups made up of volunteer citizens, often supported
by local businesses and industries, who have taken the initiative to protect their local creek, stream, stretch of river or
lake. These proactive groups develop on-the-ground solutions to ensure the protection of their specific watersheds.31
WSCC: The Watershed Stewardship Coordinating Committee is a BRBC Committee that provides opportunities for
watershed stewards to communicate with each other and collaborate on stewardship initiatives that improve the
effectiveness of watershed management in the Bow River basin.
Alberta Land Stewardship Act, Statutes of Alberta, 2009.

25
Alberta Water Act.
26, 27
28
South Saskatchewan River Basin Water Management Plan.
29
Bow River Basin Council Definition based on version in Glossary of Terms Related to Water and Watershed Management in Alberta, Alberta
Environment, 2008.
30
Alberta Sustainable Resource Development.
31
23
24
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How to Use This Report

The electronic version of this report, found at http://
www.brbc.ab.ca/, includes hyperlinks to all key
documents.
desired and whether or not the actions being taken to

manage negative environmental impacts are actually
working. The system is both adaptive and iterative.
The basis for the use of the environmental indicators is

to measure, monitor and evaluate watershed conditions
as part of an iterative, adaptive environmental
performance management system.32 The performance
management system informs managers and the public
about the condition of a watershed relative to what is
The information, strategies and tools for performance

measurement are continually updated to reflect
changing conditions and changing priorities.
Figure 1 illustrates the five steps in the environmental
performance management system.
STEP 1
DEFINING
OUTCOMES
Desired conditions
and functions
STEP 5
STEP 2
MANAGEMENT
ACTIONS
SELECTING
INDICATORS
Address the problems

preventing progress
Environmental stresses
and conditions
STEP 4
STEP 3
EVALUATING
OUTCOMES
MONITORING
INDICATORS
Compare indicator values

with target or threshold
Making data accessible on

an information system
Figure 1: Environmental Performance Management System
32
Indicators for Assessing Environmental Performance of Watersheds in Southern Alberta, Alberta Environment.
xii
xii
INDICATORS
Indicators are a critical component of the performance
management system. In 2010, the BRBC completed
an indicators-based web-based state of the watershed
report. An executive summary version of the report
can be found at http://wsow.brbc.ab.ca/reports/
BRBCWSOWBookletV2-Dec28.pdf. The full on-line
version can be found at http://wsow.brbc.ab.ca/. The
web-based state of the watershed project feeds directly
into the environmental performance management
system and is an essential component of the overall
planning process. Linkages to the web-based state of the
watershed project have been inserted throughout this
report, including the two hyperlinks provided below.
BRBC WEB-BASED STATE OF WATERSHED

INTRODUCTORY VIDEO
http://wsow.brbc.ab.ca/index.php?option=com_conten
t&view=article&id=99&Itemid=73
BRBC WEB-BASED STATE OF WATERSHED

INDICATORS
http://wsow.brbc.ab.ca/index.php?option=com_conten
t&view=article&id=105&Itemid=181
TECHNICAL TERMS
Because there are many acronyms and technical terms
in this report, it is recommended that the reader review
the glossary prior to reading the document.
DOCUMENT OUTLINE
Following is an explanation of how the BBWMP is
organized, including a summary of the information that
can be found in each chapter.
The Glossary of Terms Related to Water and Watershed
Management in Alberta, Alberta Environment, 2008 is
also an excellent reference.
SECTION TWO: Provides the main components of the

BBWMP for the four major areas of focus beginning
with land use, riparian lands, wetlands and headwaters.
Each major area of focus is broken down as follows:
Risk identification;
Rational for focus;
Outcomes;
Measurable objectives;
Table of indicators and thresholds;
Table of identified strategies and actions.
SECTION THREE: Includes a summary of updates to
the BBWMP Water Quality Objectives from Phase One.
SECTION FOUR: Includes an overview of the
public engagement process; and next steps and
implementation.
APPENDICES
APPENDIX A: Includes additional information, sample
policies, bylaws and/or guidelines.
APPENDIX B: Includes updated BBWMP Phase One
Water Quality Objectives and Indicators.
APPENDIX C: Includes all BBWMP Phase One
Recommendations.
APPENDIX D: Provides a summary of all BBWMP Phase
Two engagement activities.
APPENDIX E: Provides an overview of Legislation and
Policy related to water and watershed management
planning.
APPENDIX F: Provides an overview of the BRBC
membership.
MAIN SECTIONS
APPENDIX G: Provides highlights from the Future

Planning Priorities for the Bow River Basin Council
document.
SECTION ONE: Provides an introduction; an overview

of the vision, purpose and mandate of the BBWMP;
details on the planning approach and area; and a list of
desired outcomes.
APPENDIX H: Provides a comprehensive list of all key

references.
xiii
xiii
Table of Contents
PREFACE

A MESSAGE
i
ii
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
iii
iv
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Introduction

Summary: Strategy and Actions


Bow Basin Municipalities & First Nations

Cows and Fish

Government of Alberta

Parks Canada

Water Stewardship Groups

Research Institutions

Conclusion

SIGNATORY PAGE
iv
iv
iv
v
v
vi
vi
vi
vi
vi
vii
GLOSSARY
viii
xii
xiii
xiii
xiii
HOW TO USE THIS REPORT

Indicators
Technical Terms
Document Outline
1.0 SECTION ONE 1

1.1 INTRODUCTION
1.2 VISION FOR THE BOW BASIN WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PLAN
1.3 PURPOSE AND MANDATE
1.4 PLANNING APPROACH AND AREA
1.5 OUTCOMES
2.0 SECTION TWO 8

2.1 LAND USE

2.11 Land Use Risks

2.1.2 Rationale for Focusing on Land Use
Erosion and Sediment Control
Integrated Land Management
Low Impact Development
8
8
8
9
9
xiv
xiv
2.0 SECTION TWO

2.1.4
2.1.5
2.1.6
2.1.7
Bow Basin Land Use Outcomes

Measurable Objectives
Indicators and Thresholds
Strategies and Actions
9
11
12
13
2.2 RIPARIAN LANDS
16
16
17
17
18
19
20
21
2.2.1 Riparian Area Risks

2.2.2 Rationale for Focusing on Riparian Lands
2.2.3 Background Information and Maps
2.2.4 Bow Basin Riparian Land Outcomes
2.2.5 Measurable Objectives
2.2.6 Indicators and Thresholds
2.2.7 Strategies and Actions
2.3 WETLANDS
23
23
24
24
24
26
27
27
2.3.1 Wetland Risks

2.3.2 Rationale for Focusing on Wetlands
2.3.4 Related Outcomes
2.4 HEADWATERS AND OTHER HYDROLOGICALLY SIGNIFICANT AREAS
29
29
29
29
30
31
33
33
2.3.1 Headwaters and Other Hydrologically Significant Areas Risks

2.3.2 Rationale for Focusing on Headwaters and Other Hydrologically Significant Areas
2.3.4 Bow Basin Headwaters and Other Hydrologically Significant Areas Outcomes
3.0 SECTION THREE 35

3.1 BBWMP PHASE ONE UPDATES
35
4.0 SECTION FOUR 38

4.1 PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT
4.2 IMPLEMENTATION AND NEXT STEPS

38
38
xv
xv
1.0 Section One

1.1 INTRODUCTION
Watershed planning and advisory councils and
watershed stewardship groups should be actively
involved in developing and implementing watershed
plans. (Source: South Saskatchewan Regional Plan
Regional Advisory Committee Advice to Cabinet.)
Watershed management planning is not conducted in
isolation. In order to achieve the desired outcomes,
planning must be aligned so that the performance
measure, strategies and actions reinforce each other at
various scales on the landscape.
With this in mind, the Bow River Basin Council (BRBC)
made a concerted effort to ensure alignment of the Bow
Basin Watershed Management Plan (BBWMP) with
plans such as:
Water for Life35 (This is a Provincial water strategy).
Land Use Framework36 (This is a Provincial land use
planning framework.)
South Saskatchewan Regional Plan37 (This is a
regional land use plan for Southern Alberta which will
include legislated framework documents.)
South Saskatchewan River Basin Water Management

Plan38 (This plan reflects a balance between protecting
the aquatic environment and the amount of river
water required for economic development in the
South Saskatchewan River Basin.)
Upper Bow Basin Cumulative Effects Study39 (This is a
project to raise awareness of issues and future risks in
the upper Bow Basin.)
Calgary Metropolitan Plan40 (This is a collaboration of
municipalities taking a proactive approach to regional
growth and planning issues under the auspices of the
Calgary Regional Partnership.)
Nose Creek Watershed Water Management Plan41,
Elbow River Basin Water Management Plan,
Jumpingpound Creek Integrated Watershed
Management Plan, etc. (Bow Basin Watershed
Stewardship Group Management Plans.)
Bow River Project42 (This is a collaborative group
of water users and managers working together to
manage the Bow River system in a more integrated
manner, with economic, environmental and social
benefits to water users across the basin.)
WATERSHED
MANAGEMENT
PLANNING
Private Landowners
Decisions and Actions
on Private Lands
Natural Resource
Management Planning and
Approvals on Public Lands
Municipal Planning
and Land-use Bylaws on
Private Lands
Regional Plan and

Provincial
Policies
Provincial Government,
Boards and Agencies
Approvals on Public Lands
Figure 2: Watershed Management Planning

(Source: Modified from Draft Lower Athabasca Integrated Regional Plan 2011-2021. Strategic Plan Implementation Plan, Government of Alberta.)
http://www.waterforlife.alberta.ca/
http://www.landuse.alberta.ca/
37
https://www.landuse.alberta.ca/REGIONALPLANS/SOUTHSASKATCHEWANREGION/Pages/default.aspx
38
http://environment.alberta.ca/01233.html
39
http://www.alces.ca/home/Projects/Case_Studies/Upper_Bow_River_Basin_Cumulative_Effects_Study
40
http://www.calgaryregion.ca/crp/
41
http://www.calgary.ca/UEP/Water/Pages/Watersheds-and-rivers/Nose-creek-water-management-plan/Nose-Creek-WaterManagement-Plan.aspx
42
http://www.landusekn.ca/resource/bow-river-project
35
36
Bow River Phosphorus Management Plan (This is a

multi-stakeholder initiative, led by AEW, to identify
potential opportunities, strategies and actions to
manage phosphorus loading in a section of the Bow
River lying between the Bearspaw Dam and Bassano
Dam, a reach that includes major tributaries such as
the Highwood and Elbow Rivers, Fish Creek, Nose
Creek, Crowfoot Creek and West Arrowwood Creek.)
Within the BBWMP, integration of the various planning
initiatives were primarily accomplished through the
alignment of the outcomes (Section 1.5), and where
value could be added, the alignment of indicators,
thresholds, strategies and actions. Each successive
version of the BBWMP will build on, and where
required, update information contained in the previous
version. Implementation of the strategies and actions
contained within the BBWMP remains within the
mandates of the partnering agencies and jurisdictions.
To be successful and achieve the desired outcomes,
all partnering agencies and jurisdictions will need to
take steps to implement their respective strategies
and actions to the best of their ability. The success
of this BBWMP is dependent on the principle of
neighbours working with neighbours. For example,

wherever possible, integration, enhanced partnerships
and sharing of information between municipalities
should be strongly encouraged. In many cases, larger
municipalities have the potential to play a key role in
assisting smaller municipalities by providing expertise
as resources permit and ensuring that innovative
guidelines, policies and bylaws are easily accessible.
These same principles also apply to all proposed
implementers and partnering agencies. To be successful,
resources must be shared.
1.2 VISION FOR THE BOW BASIN

WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PLAN
The BBWMP is intended to conserve and manage
landscape features within the watershed that are
necessary for sustained water quantity and quality and
healthy aquatic ecosystems by:
Recommending changes in public policy, practice and
regulation, education and awareness programs; and,
Providing advice for proactive, voluntary action by
land, water and resource managers.
PROVINCIAL POLICY AND LEGISLATION
REGIONAL PLANS
MUNICIPAL
PLANS
SUB-REGIONAL
PLANS
WATERSHED
PLANNING
OPERATIONAL DECISIONS
Figure 3: Planning Linkages
1.3 PURPOSE AND MANDATE

The Bow River Basin Council (BRBC) is officially
recognized by the provincial government as the
Watershed Planning and Advisory Council (WPAC) for
the Bow Basin. As such, the BRBC is tasked with:
Preparing an integrated watershed management plan
to identify issues and prepare the best course of action
to address them; and
Seeking adoption of this BBWMP by the jurisdictions
(municipal, provincial, federal and First Nations)
and agencies / stakeholders with the appropriate
legislated authority to implement recommendations.
Providing resources and tools to assist with the
implementation of recommendations by decisionmakers, landowners and others.
The purpose of the BBWMP is to provide guidance
and recommendations to decision-making authorities,
municipalities, natural resource managers and users
and residents regarding land and water resources in the
watershed. The BBWMP is not a regulatory instrument.
The BBWMP has been led by the BRBC through the
BBWMP II Steering Committee. The decision-makers
will continue to work together toward implementing

the BBWMP and achieving the BBWMPs outcomes and
goals.
1.4 PLANNING APPROACH AND AREA

The BBWMP is based on a cumulative effects
management system. Managing the cumulative effects
of development means considering all activities
in an area and their collective impact from those
activities on the environment, society and economy.
To do this, outcomes must be established that balance
environmental, social, and economic considerations.
The fundamental principles of a cumulative effects
management system include:
OUTCOMES-BASED: clearly defining desired endstates.
PLACE-BASED: meeting the differing needs of regions
within the province.
PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT-BASED: using
adaptive approaches to ensure results are measured and
achieved.
COLLABORATIVE: building on a culture of shared
stewardship, using a shared knowledge base.
Figure 4: Bow River Basin
Figure 5: Study Area for the Bow Basin Watershed Management Plan43
COMPREHENSIVELY-IMPLEMENTED: using both
regulatory and non-regulatory approaches.44
The cumulative effects management system is how all
the tools, resources and relationships will work together
to manage activities that affect the environment,
economy and society in a particular place. It is an
adaptive management system that follows a plan-docheck approach to setting, meeting and evaluating placebased outcomes.
This means that when new information, technology, or
tools become available, they will be incorporated into the
system, ensuring it remains relevant and up-to-date.45
This map contains licensed data that restricts the use of the map to Alberta Environment and Water (AEW) staff for internal business only.
Authorized agencies such as companies or individuals under contract to AEW or other official AEW partners may have condition access to the
maps providing it is for internal AEW business purposes. Other agencies, groups or the public must obtain the data from the data provider.
Therefore please do not redistribute these maps outside of AEW unless the person or organization is either under contract to AEW or is an
Official partner with AEW. Please contact the GIO if you have any questions or concerns about the maps or the data contained in them. http://
www.environment.alberta.ca/ The Minister and the Crown provide this information without warranty or representation as to any matter including
but not limited to whether the data/information is correct, accurate or free from error, defect, danger, or hazard and whether is it otherwise useful
or suitable for any use the user may make of it. (2010 Government of Alberta).
44, 45
43
1.5 OUTCOMES
Outcomes are the desired future conditions that guide
the development and implementation of the BBWMPs
recommendations. Along with the identified outcomes
of 1) Water for Life, 2) the Land Use Framework, 3)
the South Saskatchewan Regional Advisory Council
Advice to the Government of Alberta for the
South Saskatchewan Regional Plan, 4) the Calgary
Metropolitan Plan, 5) the Bow River Project, 6) the

Upper Bow Basin Cumulative Effects Study, 7) the
Bow River Phosphorus Management Plan, and 8) the
Approved South Saskatchewan River Basin Water
Management Plan (Alberta), outcomes for the BBWMP
planning process include:
OUTCOMES
PROVINCIAL SCALE
1.0 WATER FOR LIFE
Safe, secure, drinking water supply;

Healthy aquatic ecosystems; and,
Reliable, quality water supplies for a sustainable economy.
2.0 LAND USE

FRAMEWORK
Healthy economy supported by our land and natural resources;

Healthy ecosystems and environment;
People-friendly communities with ample recreational and cultural opportunities.
REGIONAL SCALE
3.0 APPROVED
SOUTH
SASKATCHEWAN
RIVER BASIN WATER
MANAGEMENT PLAN
(ALBERTA)
Balance that is broadly acceptable to the public between water consumption and environmental protection, in
light of economic and social objectives and ecological requirements. The plan envisions future management in
the basin combining innovative, efficient and productive water use and improved management of aquatic
ecosystems. (Note: As a result of this plan, the Bow Basin was closed to new water licence applications in
2006.)
Improved health of aquatic ecosystems that have been negatively impacted by water and/or land management
practices.
The aquatic ecosystems of headwaters streams (above major diversions) remain in a substantially natural
condition.
4.0 SOUTH
SASKATCHEWAN
REGIONAL
ADVISORY COUNCIL
ADVICE TO THE
GOVERNMENT OF
ALBERTA FOR
THE SOUTH
SASKATCHEWAN
REGIONAL PLAN
At the time of writing this is advice to government only and may not all be reflected in an approved plan.
4.1 Economic
Development
A healthy economy supported by our land and resources;

A prosperous, resilient, competitive and diversified economy is sustained;
The economic viability and competitiveness of the energy industry is maintained, while ensuring exploration and
development are done in ways that respect the integrity of agriculture, observe sensitive habitats and protects
water resources;
Economic sectors are valued for their contributions to other land values (i.e., ecosystem functions, biodiversity,
tourism and water supply);
Cost-effective infrastructure supports economic growth and diversification;
The value of ecosystem services becomes a significant element of the regional economy; and
The economic viability and competitiveness of industry is enhanced.
4.2 Environmental
Outcomes
The health of ecosystems, which consists of water, land, air and biodiversity, is valued by Albertans and needs to
be sustained or improved through responsible stewardship.
The biodiversity and ecosystem health and quality of forests, grasslands, parklands, aquatic environments,
badlands and dunes are sustained through responsible stewardship and are valued by Albertans.
OUTCOMES
REGIONAL SCALE
4.3HealthyCommunities
withAmpleRecreation
Opportunities
The region is home to healthy people and healthy communities.

Citizens in the region enjoy a high quality of life in communities that embrace active living and recreation.
Community development needs are anticipated and accommodated.
Land-use decisions consider cultural heritage and historical resources.
The recreational preferences of the regions residents and visitors are met with a diversity of recreation
opportunities.
Aboriginal perspectives and aboriginal traditional land uses are respected.
Recreational and tourism use of public land respect disposition, tenure and rights holders.
BOW BASIN SCALE

5.0BOWRIVER
PROJECT
If the opportunities identified by the project are implemented, the following outcomes and benefits are expected,
all of which are viewed as realistic and achievable.
Reduced risk from drought through targeted on-andoff stream reservoir management.
Improved protection from moderate flood and drought events over the longer term.
Improved access to water for human and municipal use.
Improved recreational opportunities in various reaches and tributaries.
Improved aquatic ecosystem protection in the Bow River System.
Ensure long-term integrated management of the river system based on improved data, knowledge and
information.46
6.0UPPERBOWBASIN
CUMULATIVEEFFECTS
STUDY
Enhanced understanding of how current and future land use will affect water quality and availability in the
Upper Bow River Basin.
Enhanced understanding about waters value to our quality of life and about how unmanaged future land use
could diminish this value.
7.0CALGARY
METROPOLITANPLAN
(CMP)
The CMP is a vision for a sustainable region. It includes statements of regional outcomes, integrated strategies,
policies as well as conceptual maps that will help the region achieve its vision over the next 60 to 70 years.
Sustainable prosperity supported by our land and natural resources.
Healthy ecosystems and environment.
Livable communities and recreational opportunities.
8.0BOWRIVER
PHOSPHORUS
MANAGEMENTPLAN
Through a balanced stakeholder collaborative effort, and guided by consideration of social, economic and
environmental objectives, the Bow River Phosphorus Management Plan is based on the following outcomes
identified in Phase One of the BBWMP:
Maintain or enhance surface water quality (and linked alluvial aquifers) for human consumption.
Surface water quality is appropriate for irrigation of crops.
Irrigation canals are protected from high levels of algae and macrophytes.
Surface water quality that maintains the existing cold-water aquatic ecosystem (e.g. healthy trout populations).
Surface water quality that maintains the existing cool-water aquatic ecosystem (e.g. healthy pike populations).
Body contact recreation is safe.
9.0BOWBASIN
WATERSHED
MANAGEMENTPLAN47
9.1Groundwater
Enhanced knowledge and understanding of the interaction between surface and groundwater, including alluvial
aquifers.
Enhanced knowledge and understanding of quantity, quality and locations of groundwater for all stakeholders.
Groundwater supports base flow in surface water bodies and riparian lands, resulting in healthy aquatic
ecosystems.
Groundwater quality is better understood, improved and supports designated and desired uses.
Recreational and tourism use of public land respect disposition, tenure and rights holders.
A better understanding of the value, importance and functions of the Bow River Watershed.
A healthy resilient watershed where people, wildlife and habitat thrive.
Responsible tourism and recreational opportunities.
Recognition that a healthy economy depends on a healthy watershed.
Recognition that the Bow River Watershed is an area of naturally occurring extremes and that droughts, wet
periods and flood events will occur. Climate variability needs to be acknowledged.
Recognition that there is a finite carrying capacity for the Bow River Watershed to accommodate anticipated
population growth, higher intensity agriculture, and expanded activities in the area of recreation, tourism, oil
and gas, and forestry in the future.
A better understanding of the concept of ecosystem services, and the value they provide to a healthy
watershedanditsresidents.
Enhanced understanding of water, land, air, and biodiversity interactions for all stakeholders.
Bow River Project Final Report. Prepared for the Bow River Project Research Consortium, December 2010.
These outcomes are a combination of existing and revised outcomes from Phase One and new outcomes developed specifically
for Phase Two.
46
47
OUTCOMES
BOW BASIN SCALE
9.2WaterQuality
Surface water quality is improved.

Maintain or enhance surface water quality (and linked alluvial aquifers) for human consumption.
Surface water quality that is appropriate for irrigation of crops.
Surface water quality that is appropriate for livestock watering.
Surface water quality that protects water withdrawal systems from high levels of algae and/or macrophytes.
Surface water quality that maintains the existing cold-water and/or cool-water aquatic functionality.
Surface water quality where body contact recreation is safe.
Rivers and streams are free of nuisance growth of aquatic vegetation.
9.3WaterQuantity
Recognition that high and low flow periods are essential to aquatic and riparian ecosystems.
Significant groundwater recharge and discharge areas are identified and protected to sustain surface and
groundwatersupply.
Alluvial aquifers and floodplains are identified and protected as shallow water reservoirs for sustaining
instream flows during low flow periods.
Efficient water use through improved urban, rural residential, agricultural, and industrial conservation
practices.
Appropriate instream flow needs year-round to enhance a functioning ecosystem.
As opportunities present, enhanced flows for recreational opportunities.
9.4LandUse
Lands are managed with source water protection as a high priority.

Hydrologically significant lands are identified, conserved and managed to sustain their functionality.
Cumulative effects management principles are applied to all land management decisions.
Integrated landscape management principles are applied to all land management decisions.
Landscapes support healthy ecosystems with an abundance of economic, aesthetic and recreational
opportunities.
Land conserved and/or managed for multiple uses with minimal impact on water-related natural, cultural and
historicalassetsinordertoprotecttheecologicalintegrityofthearea.
Invasive plant species are reduced, especially in riparian lands adjacent to watercourses and water bodies.
Restoration of indigenous upland plant communities where opportunities exist.
Enhanced knowledge and understanding of:
the spatial connectivity of structural and functional terrestrial and aquatic landscape features,
inter-relationships and processes that produce ecosystem services at a regional scale;
ecosystem services provided by soils, vegetation and landscapes and methods to quantify the value of
these ecosystems services;
how uplands can have direct and indirect influences on water quality and quantity.
9.5RiparianLands
Existing riparian land including associated upland areas are kept intact or restored, ecologically functional,
appreciated and valued.
Core ecological functions of healthy riparian lands are maintained (e.g., water quality protection, water storage
and flood conveyance, bank stability, biodiversity, soil health, etc.).
the importance of the composition, structure and health of the upland area to the health of riparian lands;
the functions provided by riparian land and how to conserve and manage for those functions.
9.6Wetlands
Impacts to existing wetlands should be avoided wherever possible.

Existing wetland complexes including associated upland areas and ephemeral wetlands are kept intact or
restored, ecologically functional, appreciated and valued.
Core ecological functions of healthy wetlands are maintained (e.g., water quality protection, water storage and
flood protection, biodiversity, habitat, etc.).
the role wetlands play in supporting healthy watersheds through water capture and storage, groundwater
recharge and/or discharge, and water purification; the importance of connectivity of wetlands to the
continuedfunctionalityofwetlands.
HeadwatersandOther
Hydrologically
SignificantAreas
Headwaters are managed with source water protection as the highest priority.
Headwaters are managed to provide a continuous supply of clean water to meet the needs of the
environment, and the residents of the Bow Basin and those who depend on its water, now and in the future.
Enhanced knowledge and understanding of the key ecosystem services provided by headwaters.
2.0 Section Two

2.1 LAND USE
<< BRBC Web-based State of Watershed Land Use
and Cover 48 >>
2.1.1 LAND USE RISKS

In 2009, the BRBC released a planning document titled:
Future Planning Priorities for the Bow River Basin.49
This document identified future planning phases for the
BRBC up to and including year 2015. In the document,
land use was identified as one of the four key areas of
focus requiring immediate attention. The document
outlined some of the risks associated with land use
unless steps are taken to address some of the concerns
These risks included:
loss of ecosystem services;
loss of areas necessary for sustained hydrologic
function;
loss of riparian land adjacent to source waters and
headwaters;
negative impacts to biodiversity;
negative impacts on air quality and the resulting
deposits of contaminated particles;
negative impacts to groundwater surface water
interactions;
negative impacts to alluvial aquifers;
loss of cultural amenities;
loss of valuable natural landscapes for sustained
quality of life;
depletion of groundwater reserves caused by increased
use of groundwater in a closed basin; and
negative impacts to quality, quantity and timing of
river flow due to significantly increased impervious
cover.
2.1.2 RATIONALE FOR FOCUSING ON LAND USE

Erosion and Sediment Control 50
Without proper control practices, residential and
industrial land development activities can contribute
large amounts of sediment to local drainage systems,

including streams and storm sewers. This accumulation
of sediment may result in storm drainage not being
able to discharge adequately from the area. There are
also substantial costs associated with the removal of
accumulated sediment from storm sewers, storm drainage
treatment and storage facilities, ditches and streams.
Sediment in streams can also cause numerous problems
to fish, insects, water quality and infrastructure.
Fish are impacted through the reduction in food
(insects), infilling of gravel spawning areas, reduced
feeding (from inability to visually target their prey),
increased stress (decreased survival rates due to a
number of factors, such as reduced growth rates and
decreased immune system) and gill abrasion.
Insect production declines due a reduction in their
food (plants), loss of habitat (many like to live in gravel,
which would be covered by sediment) and impaired
feeding (sediment clogs their filter feeding mechanisms).
Negative water quality impacts result in increased
turbidity (cloudiness) which increases the cost of
treatment for drinking water systems. Nutrients and
contaminants can be carried and deposited in areas
where they are not desired.
Loss of terrestrial and aquatic habitat.
The function of shallow groundwater and surface water
mixing zone is reduced.
Sediment clogs storm drainage systems and leads to
flooding, expensive clean-up and repair needs, and
other problems.
Post-development land use activities in lands necessary
to sustain hydrologic function can also pollute adjacent
watercourses and water bodies. For example, untreated
storm drainage is directed off paved and impervious
surfaces directly into receiving watercourses and water
bodies.
Along with negative impacts to water bodies, soil loss
also negatively impacts the ability of the landscape to
produce agriculture products.
http://wsow.brbc.ab.ca/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=341%3Aland-use-and-cover&catid=15%3Astate-of-thewatershed&Itemid=181
49
http://www.brbc.ab.ca/pdfs/SWATMaterials/SWAT_May_6_2009_Final_Report.pdf.
50
Sources: 1) Guidelines for Erosion and Sediment Control Bylaw, City of Abbotsford; 2) City of Calgary, 2001 Guidelines for Erosion and
Sediment and City of Calgary Environmental Regulatory Review and Responsibilities: Calgary Construction Sites 2009; and,
3) Rocky View Servicing Standards.
48
Integrated Land Management 51

Integrated land management (ILM) is an approach to
informed land management planning, decision-making,
actions and evaluations that applies to the life-cycle of
activities on the landscape. ILM is aimed at managing
the footprint of human uses on lands and their
associated natural resources. Values can be:
Environmental - water, land, air, biodiversity
Social - recreational, aesthetic, spiritual
Economic industrial, commercial, agricultural
ILM promotes the responsible use of land by influencing
user behaviour, improving stewardship and encouraging
acceptance of the ILM approach. ILM occurs after the
land-use priorities have been determined and users
are seeking access to the landscape. It applies equally
to all sectors (landowners, industry, municipalities,
transportation, motorized recreation, etc.). Throughout
Alberta, linear disturbances have tremendous negative
impacts on watercourses and water bodies for a number
of reasons:
Linear disturbances remove vegetation and introduce
human created channels on landscapes, including in
headwaters, wetlands and riparian land complexes.
Linear disturbances often introduce roads and
pathways that become rutted and eroded overtime,
allowing sediment to follow human created channels
to watercourses and water bodies downstream;
Public access into headwaters is enabled through
linear disturbances. Access results in human waste,
litter and pollution being left adjacent to watercourses
and water bodies. Inappropriate land use such as
mass camping,
off-highway vehicle use and unapproved trail creation
may lead to these problems.
Low Impact Development 52

Low impact development (LID) is a set of land use and
landscape treatment tools to help mitigate the amount
of sediment and pollutants entering watercourses and
water bodies; and it also mimics natural hydrology.
LID uses a variety of practical techniques to manage
stormwater runoff close to its source, where rain falls.
LID designs focus on implementing better site design
practices and site-specific stormwater control options
such as green roofs, stormwater capture and re-use, and
51
52
landscape designs that increase absorption and filtering

of rainwater. LID is not a land-use control strategy.
LID is an ecosystem-based approach in which water
is the central focus. Albertans need spaces to work,
live and play; and by applying LID principles, the built
environment can be designed to function sustainably as
part of the ecosystem.
2.1.3 BACKGROUND INFORMATION AND MAPS

The map in Figure 6 illustrates a watershed sensitivity
analysis for the Bow River basin. Figure 8 shows
protected and recreation areas in teh basin. The upper
reaches of the Bow River Basin are recognized as
being critically important to the rest of the watershed.
To ensure the long term management of the area, a
complex diversity of land use designations has been
developed to strategically conserve significant wildlife,
vegetation and geological features and communities, as
well as to properly manage the wide variety of industrial,
commercial and recreational activities on the landscape.
In terms of water protection and conservation, parks
and protected areas are a useful tool for maintaining
hydrological and ecosystem functions within the
headwaters. Parks range in both the level of legislative
protection and management intent for the park, from
national parks (Banff) to provincial parks (Bow Valley)
to provincial recreation areas (McLean Creek).
Please refer to Appendix A for additional background
information - including sample policies, bylaws,
standards or guidelines - for the land use section.
2.1.4 BOW BASIN LAND USE OUTCOMES

Lands are managed with source water protection as
the highest priority.
Hydrologically significant lands are identified,
conserved and managed in order to sustain their
functionality.
Cumulative effects management principles are applied
to all land management decisions.
Integrated landscape management principles are
applied to all land management decisions.
Landscapes support healthy ecosystems with an
abundance of economic, aesthetic and recreational
opportunities.
http://www.srd.alberta.ca/LandsForests/IntegratedLandManagement/Default.aspx
http://alidp.org/
Figure 6: Bow Basin Watershed Sensitivity Analysis 53, 54

Land conserved and/or managed for multiple uses
with minimal impact on water-related natural,
cultural and historical assets in order to protect the
ecological integrity of the area.
Invasive plant species are reduced, especially in
riparian lands adjacent to watercourses and water
bodies.
Restoration of indigenous upland plant communities
where opportunities exist.

the spatial connectivity of structural and functional
terrestrial and aquatic landscape features,
interrelationships and processes that produce
ecosystem services at a regional scale;
ecosystem services provided by soils, vegetation and
landscapes and methods to quantify the value of
these ecosystems services;
This map was developed by AEW using a Geographic Information System (GIS) based overlay analysis that highlights areas within the Bow
River sub-basin and selected watersheds that have high cultural, environmental, or social value and can potentially be affected by management
decisions. The groups of features selected to be included covered three main themes: groundwater, land and surface water. One of the main
criterions used in selecting the individual parameters was that digital data that could be used within a GIS had to be available for the entire
Bow River sub-basin to allow comparisons between different areas and sub-watersheds. Many of the provincial datasets do not extend into the
headwaters portion located in Banff National Park, hence its exclusion. The analysis work assigns each of the features with a sensitivity or value
ranking from a value of one, the lowest sensitivity/value, to a maximum of three for the highest sensitivity/value. Map algebra was then used to
sum all the layers to find the areas of the highest sensitivity or value in the basin. The full text for the map disclaimer is located in Footnote 43.
54
For a complete description of how this map was developed, please refer to Future Planning Priorities for the Bow River Basin Council,
http://www.brbc.ab.ca/pdfs/SWATMaterials/SWAT_May_6_2009_Final_Report.pdf
53
10
10
Figure 7: Bow River Basin Protected and Recreation Areas55
how uplands can have direct and indirect influences

on water quality and quantity.

2.1.5 MEASURABLE OBJECTIVES

The percentage of Bow Basin Municipalities and other
decision making bodies in the Bow Basin applying;
erosion and sediment controls for new and post
construction;
integrated land management principles in the

review of all new land use development permits and
subdivision applications;
low impact development strategies and
methodologies and principles; and,
performance management principles as part of the
land use decision making process.
A reduction in the amount of sediment being
transported to waterbodies.
For more information on provincial designation, please refer to: http://tpr.alberta.ca/parks/managing/spectrumsites.asp. The full text for the
map disclaimer is located in Footnote 43.
55
11
11
2.1.6 INDICATORS AND THRESHOLDS

INDICATOR
PRIORITY &
TIMELINE
TRIGGERS, LIMITS AND TARGETS56
PercentageofBowBasinMunicipalitiesthathave
takenstepstominimizethedevelopmentand
redevelopmentfootprint
Target:100%ofBowBasinMunicipalitieswithguidelines,policies
Mediumand/orbylawstohelpensurethatthedevelopmentand
TermbyEnd
redevelopmentfootprintisminimizedtothegreatestextentpossible. 2015
PercentageofBowBasinMunicipalitieswith
erosionandsedimentcontrolsfornewresidential
andindustrialconstructionbothduringand
post-construction.Municipalandurbanfocus.
Target:100%ofBowBasinMunicipalitieswitherosionandsediment
controls(ESC)fornewresidentialandindustrialconstruction.
Furthermore,theseagenciesrequireerosionandsedimentcontrol
traininganddesignationforerosionandsedimentcontroldesigners
andinspectors.
Short-Term
byEnd2013
PercentageoflandusedecisionsmadebyERCB,
NRCBandprovincialgovernmentdepartments
involvedwithlandusedecisionsthathavetaken
steps(whereapplicable)toincorporate:1)industrial
erosionandsedimentcontrolspriortoany
constructionoffacilities;2)lowimpactdevelopmentstrategiesandmethodologies;3)performance
managementprinciplesaspartofthelanduse
decisionmakingprocess;and,4)integratedland
managementprinciples.
Target:100%oflandusedecisionsmadebyERCB,NRCBand
provincialgovernmentdepartmentsinvolvedwithlandusedecisions
thathavetakensteps(whereapplicable)toincorporate:1)industrial
erosionandsedimentcontrolspriortoanyconstructionoffacilities;
2)lowimpactdevelopmentstrategiesandmethodologies;3)
performancemanagementprinciplesaspartofthelandusedecision
makingprocess;and,4)integratedlandmanagementprinciples.
Short-Term
byEnd2013
guidelines,policiesand/orbylawstolimit
landscapefragmentation.
and/orbylawstolimitlandscapefragmentationthroughthe
applicationofaccessmanagementandintegratedlandmanagement
principles.
MediumTermbyEnd
2015
Target:100%ofBowBasinMunicipalitiesusingperformance
managementprinciples(e.g.,inventories,indicators,targetsand
thresholds)tomanagethelandscapeandevaluateprogress.
MediumTermbyEnd
2015
MaximumSoilErosionTargetperYear
Target:Erosionandsedimentcontrol(ESC)plansshouldbe
designedwithasoillosstolerancelevelof:
6 tonnes/hectare/year for topsoil in good condition, high organic
matter, well-structured. Subsoil permeability within 60 cm of the
surfaceislimited.
2 tonnes/hectare/year for all soils contributing runoff and
sedimentstostreamorsurfacewatersupplies;shallowsoils(<10
com)overbedrock.57
Theuseoflowimpactdevelopmentstrategiesandtechnologiesmay
furtherreducetheamountofsediment-ladenrunoff.
Short-Term
byEnd2013
SedimentTransportedtoWaterBodies
Target:Areductioninsedimentbeingtransportedtowaterbodiesby
2017basedon2010baselinelevels(withtheunderstandingthatthis
comparisonwouldonlybeapplicableduringrelativelynormalyears
(i.e.,nosignificantfloodsordroughtsduringthedefinedyear)).The
reductionwouldbebasedonthebestavailabledataforthelower
BowRiverBasinfromCalgarytothemouth.Moremodelingto
confirmareasonableandachievablepercentagetobeidentifiedby
futuremodelingefforts.Allmodelingmustbesuitably
ground-truthedorcalibratedwithmonitoringdata.
Target:100%ofBowBasinMunicipalitiesshoulddeveloprunoffrate
andvolumetargetsforalldevelopmentsbasedontheoverallgoalof
tryingtoachievepre-developmentratesandvolumesenteringthe
streamsorrivers.Targetsshallapplytobothnewdevelopmentand
areassubjecttore-development,andmayreflectstaged
implementation.
Long-Term
byEnd2017
PercentageofBowBasinMunicipalitiesusing
performancemanagementprinciples.
RunoffRateandVolumeTargets
MediumTermbyEnd
2015
Limits represent levels at which the risk of adverse effects on environmental quality is becoming unacceptable. Triggers are set in advance
of limits as early warning signals. Limits and triggers consider current science, and are meaningful and future-focused. Targets are an indicator
value that reflects a desirable environmental outcome.
57
Wall, G.J., D.R. Coote, E.A., Pringle and I.J. Shelton (editors). 2002. RUSLEFAC Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation for Application in
Canada. A Handbook for Estimating Soil Loss from Water Erosion in Canada. Research Branch, Agriculture and
Agri-Food Canada. Ottawa. Contribution No. AAFC/AAC2244E. 117 pp.
56
12
12
2.1.7 STRATEGIES AND ACTIONS**

NO.
TOPIC
PROPOSED
IMPLEMENTERS
RECOMMENDATION
PRIORITY &
TIMELINE
LAND USE - PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT

2.1
BBWMP Phase Two

Implementation
Committee
Formationofanimplementationcommitteetoprovideassistance
andadvicetoallproposedimplementers.Thiswillinclude:
presentations on materials contained within the BBWMP (as
requested);
providing contact names of local experts for specific topics
(where available);
encouraging and tracking implementation progress;
identifying opportunities for shared responsibility and
coordinationofefforts;
providing further examples of templates and municipal land
bylaw provisions on the BRBC website to assist with
implementation;
providing incentives for good stewards (recognition, awards, etc.)
encouraging the development of intermunicipal bodies and
intermunicipal development plans to help conserve and manage
hydrologically significant areas;
providing an annual summary report (contingent on the level of
stakeholder implementation) activities highlighting progress to
date, lessons learned and next steps.
BRBC
Short-Term by
End2013
2.2
Use of Performance
Management
Principles within
Municipalities and
FirstNations
Develop a performance management system (e.g., inventories,

indicators, targets and thresholds) to manage the landscape and
evaluate progress
Bow Basin
Municipalities, Bow
Basin First Nations
Medium-Term
by End 2015
2.3
(Link
1.50)
Erosionand
Sediment Policies
and/or Bylaws
Municipal and
Urban Focus
Develop erosion control and sediment management policies

and/or bylaws for all new developments, and develop strategies
and tools for implementing policies and bylaws. Require erosion
control and training and designation for erosion and sediment
control designers and inspectors.
Bow Basin
Municipalities, Bow
Basin First Nations
Short-Term by
End2013
2.4
Integrated Land
Management
Guidelines, Policies
and/or Bylaws
Develop guidelines, policies and/or bylaws to limit landscape

fragmentation and minimize the development and redevelopment
footprint through the application of integrated land management
principles.The corresponding reduction in footprint will result in
benefits to wetlands, riparian areas, waterbodies and other
hydrologically significant areas.
Bow Basin
Municipalities, Bow
Basin First Nations,
GOA (ASRD)
Medium-Term
by End 2015
2.5
Review of Current
Land Use Bylaws
Review current land use bylaw provisions for opportunities to

enhance the management of the following topics:
Public access management and appropriate land uses for
environmental reserves, natural areas, wetlands, water bodies
andwatercourses;
Use of alluvial aquifers for gravel extraction (to reduce or
eliminateuseofalluvialaquifersforthispurpose);
Use of municipal lands for ATV or OHV recreational use (to
minimize sedimentation and negative impacts to waterbodies);
Storm drainage treatment facilities (to minimize contaminants
and sediments from entering waterbodies).
Bow Basin
Municipalities, Bow
Basin First Nations
Short-Term by
End2013
2.6
Gravel Extraction
Recommend and support implementation of the new aggregate

policies. The loss of ecosystem services that occurs when alluvial
structures are mined for their gravel and sand, then replaced or
built up with disturbed overburden or fill results in significant
long-term negative impacts that must be addressed.
GOA (AEW*, ASRD)
Short-Term by
End2013
LAND USE - POLICY AND/OR BYLAWS
**It is the expectation that if these strategies and actions are implemented, the majority of the desired outcomes will be achieved over time.
TABLE NOTES: The highest priority recommendations are highlighted in blue under topic. Where applicable, the lead agency or jurisdiction is
highlighted in blue under proposed implementers. Topics with asterisk are projects that are either in progress or are planned
subject to budgetary approval. Topics that have been italicized are topics that have been carried
over from Phase One.
13
13
NO.
TOPIC
PROPOSED
IMPLEMENTERS
RECOMMENDATION
PRIORITY &
TIMELINE
LAND USE - PLANNING

2.7
CoordinatedLand
UseDecision
Making
Enhancetheprocessofcoordinatinglandusedecisionstobetter
reflectsharedlocalcommunityvaluesasexpressedinmunicipal
developmentplansandlandusebylaws.Intermunicipal
developmentplansshouldbeconsideredfortransboundary
issuessuchaswetlandcomplexesandriparianlands.
BowBasin
Municipalities,Bow
BasinFirstNations,
GOA (ERCB, NRCB)
Short-Termby
End2013
2.8
Supportto
Watershed
Stewardship
Groups
ProvideongoingsupporttolocalWatershedStewardshipGroups
throughprograms,funding,in-kindandtechnicalsupport,policy
development,etc.Thiswillbeinstrumentaltowardsimplementing
BBWMPrecommendationsandachievingdesiredoutcomes.
GOA,BRBC,Cowsand
Fish,BowBasin
Municipalities,Bow
BasinFirstNations
Medium-Term
byEnd2015
WaterStewardship
GroupInitiatives
WSG
Identify and better manage (for the health and function of the
watershed)wetlandandriparianlands
Identifyandrestoredegradedwetlandandriparianlandcomplexes;
Educatemembershipandothersoftheimportanceofheadwaters,
wetlandsandriparianlands,aquifers,springsandseeps
Host workshops and projects, pilot programs for low impact
development,bioengineering,naturescaping,etc.;
Share created or combined research and/or knowledge with
WPACs,municipalities,FirstNations,otherWSGsandAWC;
Regularly update their respective websites and materials to
demonstratestateofthearttechnologyoradviceforreleaseto
membersandothers.
2.10
UseofOff-Highway
Recreational
VehiclesOutsideof
DesignatedTrails58
Work with land managers (GOA in Green Zone and Municipal

Governments in White Zone), to continue dialogue with OHV User
Associationsregardingwater-relatednegativeimpactsfromOHV
useoutsideofdesignatedtrails,todevelopaseriesofnextsteps.
GOA (ASRD, ATPR),

BowBasin
Municipalities,BRBC,
OHVUserAssociations
Short-Termby
End2013
2.11
Formalized
Off-HighwayVehicle
TrailSystems
Developmoreformalized,sustainableoff-highwayvehicletrail
systemswithintheGhostandMcLeanareaswithproperwater
crossings, staging and camping facilities (while limiting negative
impactsonthelandscapeandwaterquality).
GOA (ATPR*, ASRD*)
Long-Termby
End2017
2.12
ReviewofMunicipal
DevelopmentPlans
andAreasStructure
Plans
EnsureSRDsprocessandtimelinesforreviewingMunicipal
DevelopmentPlansandAreaStructurePlansthatcontain
significantwetlandcomplexes,headwaters,alluviaaquifers,etc.
areknowntothosethataresubmittingtheplans.
GOA (ASRD)
Short-Termby
End2013
2.13
Processfor
ClaimingBedand
Shore
CommunicateSRDprocessesforclaimingthebedandshoresof
permanent and naturally occurring wetlands, subject to the Public
LandsAct.
GOA (ASRD),
BowBasin
Municipalities
Short-Termby
End2013
2.14
FloodHazard
Management
IncorporateAEWapprovedFloodHazardMappingintomunicipal
landusebylawstolimitdevelopmentinfloodproneareas.The
additionofadditionallandtoenablemeanderbeltstomoveover
thelandscapesovertimeshouldbeconsidered.
BowBasin
Municipalities,Bow
BasinFirstNations
Medium-Term
byEnd2015
2.15
LandTrustsandthe
BRBC
Establishaformalworkingpartnershipbetweenlandtrusts
operatingintheBowBasinandtheBRBC.Thisshouldhelpclarify
rolesandrelationships,andidentifyopportunitiesformutual
cooperationandsharingofinformation.
WesternSkyLandTrust, Short-Termby
BRBC,SouthernAlberta End2013
LandTrustSociety,
FoothillsLandTrust,
NatureConservancyof
Canada
2.9
Medium-Term
byEnd2015
LAND USE - BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES
58
2.16 LowImpact
(Link DevelopmentBest
1.48) Management
Practices
Incorporatelowimpactdevelopmentbestmanagementpractices
andperformancemonitoringintothedesignofnewresidential,
commercialandindustrialdevelopments.Thegoalistoachieve
pre-developmentflowratesandvolume,andtohelpmeetwater
quality objectives. Pilot projects should be encouraged.
BowBasinMunicipalities,BowBasinFirst
Nations,Landowners,
ALIDP, GOA (ERCB,
NRCB)
Medium-Term
by2013
2.17 SoilErosionAlong
(Link Trailsand
1.54) RecreationSites
Continueeffortstoreduceerosionfromtrails,recreationsitesor
otheractivities.Erosionandsedimentcontrolplansshouldbe
developedandimplementedforconstructionsiteswithany
connectiontosurfacewater.
GOA (ATPR*, ASRD),

GWAS
Short-Termby
End2013
This recommendation is also included in the riparian land section.
14
14
NO.
TOPIC
RECOMMENDATION
PROPOSED
IMPLEMENTERS
PRIORITY &
TIMELINE
LAND USE - KNOWLEDGE

2.18
BowBasinSample
Guidelines,Policies,
BylawsWarehouse
Provideandmaintainawarehouseofsampleguidelines,policies
andbylawsandmapsrelatedtotheimprovementofwatershed
health.ThesiteshouldbelocatedontheBRBCwebsitewith
accesstoallBRBCmembers.
2.19
(Link
1.52)
RunoffandSoil
ErosioninForested
Areas
Continuetoapplyforestrylegislation,policiesandoperatingground GOA(ASRD)
rulesinthepreventionoferosionandsedimententering
watercoursesandwaterbodiesresultingfromlogging,reforestation
andreclamationoperations.TheSprayLakeSawmills/C5FMU
OperatingGroundRulesarereviewedannuallyforpossible
changessupportedbynewlegislationandpolicies,best
managementpracticesorrecommendationsfromappliedresearch.
2.20
(Link
1.51)
Run-offRatesand
Volumes
2.21
2.22
BowBasinMunicipalities, Short-Termby
BowBasinFirstNations, End2013
GOA(AEW,ASRD,ATPR,
AARD),WSG,(GOC)
DFO,BRBC,Alberta
WaterPortal
Ongoing
Developrunoffrateandvolumetargetsforalldevelopmentsbased BowBasinMunicipalities, Short-Termby

ontheoverallgoaloftryingtoachievepre-developmentratesand BowBasinFirstNations
End2013
volumesenteringthestreamsorrivers.
ResearchInstitutions
SepticSludge
Furtherresearchisrequiredtodeterminetheimpactsfromland
Medium-Term
Management
spreadingofsepticwastesludge.
byEnd2015
GOA(AEW,ASRD,AARD,
Model-predictedSoil Identifyareaswithhigherosionratestodeterminewhereexisting
ATPR),GWAS
Medium-Term
ErosionRates
orproposedlandusewilllikelyimpactwaterqualityandquantity.
byEnd2015
LAND USE - EDUCATION

2.23
LandUseToolsand
Concepts
Hostaworkshoporseriesofworkshops(subjecttoavailable
funds)toshareinformationandeducatemunicipalitiesonkeyland
usetoolsandconceptsincluding1)erosionandsedimentcontrol,
2)performancemanagementprinciples3)integratedland
managementprinciplesand4)lowimpactdevelopmentprinciples.
BRBC,BowBasin
Short-Termby
Municipalities,BowBasin End2013
FirstNations,GOA(AEW,
ASRD,ATPR,AARD)
2.24
BBWMPPhaseTwo
Implementation
Committee
Developspecificeducationandawarenessprogramsand/orhost
educationalworkshopsthatarelinkedtothefourthemes
containedinthisBBWMP(i.e.,landuse,headwaters,wetlandsand
riparianlands).Prioritytopicsinclude:
Alluvial Aquifers
Ecosystem Services
Best Management Practices (CattleandRiparianLands;
ImprovementsinOff-SiteWateringTechnology)
Importance of Headwaters, Riparian Lands, Wetlands and Other
HydrologicallySignificantAreas
Market Based Tools and Public Education Media Tools
Effects of Recreational Activities on Water Quality and Quantity
Municipal and Industrial Methods for Protection of Wetland
ComplexesandRiparianLands
WSG,CowsandFish,
DUC,BRBC,Industry,
WaterMatters,GOA
(AARD,AEW,ASRD,
ATPR),WesternSkyLand
Trust,SouthernAlberta
LandTrustSociety,
FoothillsLandTrust,
NatureConservancyof
Canada,GOC(DFO)
2.25
(Link
1.48)
LowImpact
Development
Takealeadroleinhelpingeducatemunicipalitiesanddevelopers
onthebasicprinciplesoflowimpactdevelopmentandencourage
developerstoutilizethesepracticesintheoveralldesign.
ALIDP,BowBasin
Short-Termby
Municipalities,BowBasin End2013
FirstNations,UDI
2.26
(Link
1.46)
ManureApplications Continuetoeducateproducersonmanureapplicationandsetback GOA(AARD*,NRCB),

Ongoing
distanceswithrespecttowaterbodiesasoutlinedbythe
BowBasinMunicipalities,
andSetbacks
AgricultureOperationsPracticesAct.
CowsandFish,AEPA
2.27
LinearDisturbance
Thresholds
2.28
ManureApplications Researchtheeffectivenessofdifferentapplicationtechniquesand
andSetbacks
manuremanagementstrategiestoreducerunoffofnutrientsand
bacteriaintoreceivingwaterbodies.
Short-Termto
2013
LAND USE - RESEARCH

Furtherresearchisrequiredtodeterminelineardisturbance
ResearchInstitutions,
thresholdsforallsub-basinswithintheBowBasin.Thiswouldbe
WSG,GWAS,GOA
particularlyeffectiveifdoneatthesub-basinwatershedscale.This (ASRD)
researchshouldidentifythesub-basinsand/ormunicipalitiesfor
priorityimplementation.Thewidthofbuffersalongthelinear
disturbanceshouldbeclearlydefinedaspartofthisresearch.
Long-Termby
End2017
GOA(AARD*),BowBasin Ongoing
Municipalities,Research
Institutions,Cowsand
Fish,NRCB,AEPA
15
15
2.2 RIPARIAN LANDS

<< BRBC Web-Based State of Watershed Riparian and
Wetland Habitat59 >>
<< BRBC Web-based State of Watershed Riparian
Assessment Cows and Fish60 >>
<< BRBC Web-based State of Watershed Riparian
Health61 >>
2.2.1 RIPARIAN AREA RISKS

Future Planning Priorities for the Bow River Basin62.

riparian lands were identified as one of the four key
areas of focus requiring immediate attention. The
document outlined some of the risks associated with
the continued loss or degradation of riparian lands on
both public and private lands. Unless steps are taken
to address these concerns the loss will continue. These
risks (and others) include:
a reduction of water quality and quantity timing due
to degradation of riparian lands;
loss of indigenous vegetation and riparian organic and
inorganic matter;
Ecological Boundary
Upland
Upland
Water Body
Riparian Area
1:100 Year Floodplain
Figure 8: Riparian Areas

(Source: Draft - Stepping Back from the Water: Guidelines for Conserving Riparian lands in Albertas White Area,
Alberta Environment, 2010)
This recommendation is also included in the riparian land section. http://wsow.brbc.ab.ca/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=24

7%3Aecosystems-riparian-and-wetland-habitat&catid=33%3Abassano-to-mouth&Itemid=71
60
http://wsow.brbc.ab.ca/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=414%3Ariparian-assessment-cows-and-fish&catid=17%3Abowriver-basin&Itemid=71
61
http://wsow.brbc.ab.ca/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=420%3Ariparian-assessment-cows-and-fish&catid=15%3Astate-ofthe-watershed&Itemid=71
62
59
16
16
loss of natural spongy materials to absorb runoff;

loss of riparian areas due to loss of wetlands;
degradation/loss of aquatic and terrestrial habitat;
change or loss of riparian function, and impact on
overall hydraulic function;
flooding of private lands and municipal infrastructure;
Riparian areas recharge shallow groundwater alluvial

aquifers that help maintain stream flow (and water
quality) during low flow periods.
Support a much higher level of biodiversity (relative
to upland areas) due to natural disturbance regimes,
a diversity of habitats, and small-scale climatic
variations.
erosion of streambeds and wet meadow areas

resulting in negative impacts to aquatic health;
Provide public access, recreational and educational

opportunities in an aesthetically pleasing landscape.
pollution of water in watercourses, water bodies and

wetlands;
Provide green space that can increase property values.
removal of naturally occurring carbon sinks from

urbanizing areas.
Reduce the need to combat flooding, repair eroding

stream banks, and replace damaged property.
2.2.2 RATIONALE FOR FOCUSING ON RIPARIAN

LANDS
Alluvial aquifers and floodplains provide unique

ecosystem services within a river/stream corridor and
are part of the contiguous subsurface network that
helps sustain and regulate instream flow essential to
healthy aquatic and riparian habitat.
As our understanding about the role of riparian land

grows, so does our appreciation of how important these
areas are to us. Healthy riparian lands possess several
unique functions and provide important ecosystem
services and benefits to society including:
Improve water quality by trapping sediment,
sediment-bound nutrients and other contaminants
from surface runoff before they reach the water and
downstream water users.
Reduce the velocity of sediment-bearing storm
flows, allowing sediments to settle out of water
and be deposited on land instead of being carried
downstream.
Shade and cover provided by riparian vegetation can
moderate water temperature in small (low order)
streams.
Riparian lands reduce peak flows and downstream
flooding. As flood water flows through a vegetated
area, the plants resist the flow and dissipate the
energy, increasing the time available for water to
infiltrate into the soil and be stored for use by plants.
This capture and slow release of flood waters may
decrease damage to property and keep water in the
landscape for a longer period in the growing season.
63

The maps in Figures 9 and 10 show the results of studies
using aerial videography of riparian zones in the Bow
River basin.
Another method commonly used in the Bow Basin for
the study of riparian areas was developed by Cows and
Fish (Alberta Riparian Habitat Management Society).
This method uses a Riparian Health Inventory 63,
which is a detailed inventory that thoroughly examines
vegetation, soil parameters, and hydrology of the area.
Riparian health inventory is used by riparian resource
management professionals to capture benchmark data,
examine details of the plant community and structure,
and for monitoring purposes. It is a very important
tool for examining the health of watersheds, collecting
baseline information, and for evaluating the impact of
management changes over time.
information - including sample policies, bylaws,
standards or guidelines - for the riparian land section.
http://www.cowsandfish.org/riparian/health.html
17
17
Figure 9: Bow River Basin Aerial Videography, Characteristics of Riparian Zones 64
2.2.4 BOW BASIN RIPARIAN LAND OUTCOMES

Existing riparian land including associated upland
areas are kept intact or restored, ecologically
functional, appreciated and valued.
Core ecological functions of healthy riparian lands
are maintained (e.g., water quality protection,
water storage and flood conveyance, bank stability,
biodiversity, soil health, etc.).
Invasive plant species are reduced, especially in riparian

lands adjacent to watercourses and water bodies.
Enhanced knowledge and understanding of the:
importance of the composition, structure and health
of the upland area to the health of riparian lands;
functions provided by riparian land and how to
conserve and manage for those functions.
This map highlights areas where low-flight aerial video was recorded by AEW during September 19 23, 2006. For each of the areas shown,
an independent consultant scored the condition of the riparian zones using a methodology developed specifically for this project. The riparian
zone sections exhibiting similar characteristics were classified as 1) near natural, 2) moderately impacted and 3) most impacted. The full text for
the map disclaimer is located in Footnote 43.
64
18
18
Figure 10: Bow River Basin Aerial Videography,

Characteristics of Riparian Zones in Seebe to Bearspaw Dam Sub-Basin 65

No net loss of area of functioning riparian lands.
Restoration of degraded riparian lands to functioning
riparian lands.
The percentage of Bow Basin Municipalities with

riparian conservation, restoration and management
guidelines, policies and/or bylaws based on no further
loss of riparian lands.
This map provides an example of the data collected for Grand Valley Creek using aerial video. The riparian zone sections exhibiting similar
characteristics were classified as 1) near natural, 2) moderately impacted and 3) most impacted. The full text for the map disclaimer is located in
Footnote 43.
65
19
19
INDICATOR
PRIORITY &
TIMELINE
Areaoffunctioningriparianlands
Target:Nonetlossofareaoffunctioningriparianlands.Thistarget
maybeachievedthrough1)avoidanceofnegativeimpacts,2)the
developmentofnewpoliciesandbylaws,3)theapplicationofbest
managementpractices(e.g.,fencingandoff-streamwatering
allowingsomeriparianareastorecover),and4)throughrestoration
ofdegradedriparianlands(withtheunderstandingthatrestored
riparianlandswilltakesubstantialtimetorecovertheiroriginal
function)and5)changestorivermanagement(i.e.,flowchanges).
Othertoolsmayalsobeused.
Long-Term
byEnd2017
Restorationofriparianlandsidentifiedasdegraded
asaresultofhumanactivity
Target:Riparianlandsidentifiedasdegradedhaveaplaninplaceto
addresstherecoveryorrestorationofriparianfunction.Thistarget
forrestorationcanbecapturedbytheindicatorsimmediatelyabove
andbelow.
MediumTermbyEnd
2015
Conditionofriparianlandhealthasindicatedusing
theCowsandFishRiparianHealthInventoryRating
Systemoralternativemethodologies
Target:Riparianlandhealthisonelevelhigherthaninitialconditions
measuredusingtheCowsandFishRiparianHealthInventoryrating
system(FitchandAmbrose2003)(e.g.,unhealthyhealthywith
problemshealthy).Iftheriverand/orreachpreviouslyratedas
healthy,thetargetremainedashealthy.Inallcases,the
long-termgoalishealthy.Seetablebelow.Alternative
methodologiescouldincludeaerialsurveys,floatevaluations,etc.).
Thechosenmethodofevaluationshouldbecarefullyconsidered
dependingonthelocationandcharacteristicsofthearea(e.g.,rural
versusurban).
Very
Long-Term
by2030
riparianconservationandsetbackguidelines
and/orpoliciesforfuturedevelopmentand
redevelopment
Target:100%ofBowBasinMunicipalitieswithriparian
conservation,restorationandmanagementguidelines,policies
and/orbylawsforfuturedevelopmentandredevelopmentbasedon
nofurtherlossorimpairmentofriparianlands.
Short-Term
byEnd2013
THEORETICAL EXAMPLE OF RIPARIAN HEALTH STATUS OF SAMPLED SITES DURING IDENTIFIED TIME PERIODS
RIPARIAN HEALTH CATEGORY
2001-2005
2006-2010
2011-2015
Healthy
36%(4/11)
36%(5/14)
38%(5/13)
HealthywithProblems
36%(4/11)
43%(6/14)
46%(6/13)
Unhealthy
27%(3/11)
21%(3/14)
15%(2/13)
66
20
20

PROPOSED
IMPLEMENTERS
PRIORITY &
TIMELINE
TOPIC
RECOMMENDATION
2.29
Healthy Riparian
Lands for Municipal
and Urban Areas
Develop riparian conservation and management policies and/or

bylaws based on no further loss of area of functioning riparian
lands, and develop strategies and tools for measuring and
implementing no net loss within municipal boundaries. These tools
should address access to riparian lands and management of
inappropriate uses (e.g., zoning could be considered). Municipal
and urban examples provided.
Bow Basin
Municipalities, Bow
Basin First Nations
Short-Term by
End 2013
2.30
Healthy Riparian
Lands for
Agricultural Areas
In consultation with landowners, develop riparian conservation,

restoration and management strategies, tools, guidelines, policies
and/or bylaws based on no further loss of area of functioning
riparian lands or functional impairment of riparian lands.
Agricultural areas examples provided.
Bow Basin
Municipalities, Bow
Basin First Nations
Medium-Term
by End-2015
2.31
Healthy Riparian
Lands for
Recreational Use
Develop riparian conservation and management guidelines and/or

policies for recreational use in riparian areas.
Bow Basin Municipalities,

Bow Basin First Nations,
GOA (ASRD), Cows and
Fish, WSG
Short-Term by
End 2013
2.32
Stepping Back
from the Water
Document
Release the publication. This will assist municipalities in

developing riparian conservation and management guidelines,
policies and/or bylaws with an emphasis on determining
development setbacks.
GOA (AEW)
Short-Term by
End 2012
2.33
Provincial Riparian
Policy Options and
Tools
Develop various policy options and tools (e.g., standardized

provincial riparian conservation and setback guideline and/or
policies) as part of the Riparian Lands Conservation and
Management Project.
Alberta Water Council
Short-Term by
End 2012
NO.
RIPARIAN LANDS - POLICY AND/OR BYLAWS
RIPARIAN LANDS - PLANNING

2.34
Use of Off-Highway
Recreational
Vehicles Outside of
Designated Trails 67
Working with land managers (SRD on public land in the Green and
White Zones, and Municipal Government on other lands in the
White Zone) BRBC will help initiate dialogue with OHV User
Associations in the Bow Basin regarding water-related negative
impacts as a result of OHV use outside of designated trails. This
initial dialogue should result in a series of next steps.
GOA (ASRD, ATPR),

Bow Basin Municipalities BRBC, OHV User
Associations,
Western Sky Land
Trust, Southern Alberta
Land Trust Society,
Foothills Land Trust,
Short-Term by
End 2013
2.35
Land Trusts and

Riparian
Conservation
Land trusts should continue to work with the BRBC, landowners

and other key stakeholders to help conserve and protect
significant riparian and wetland areas.
Nature Conservancy of
Canada
Short-Term by
End 2013
2.36
Wetland and
Riparian Lands Best
Management
Practices 68
Apply best management practices for all wetlands and riparian

lands (e.g., targeted access points, alternative grazing
management systems such as rotational grazing, apply buffers
around wetlands and riparian areas, etc.).
RIPARIAN LANDS - BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES

Bow Basin Municipalities, Bow Basin First
Nations, Landowners,
Industry
Short-Term by
End 2013
TABLE NOTES: The highest priority recommendations are highlighted in blue under topic. Where applicable, the lead agency or jurisdiction is
highlighted in blue under proposed implementers. Topics with asterisk are projects that are either in progress or are planned
subject to budgetary approval. Topics that have been italicized are topics that have been carried
over from Phase One.
67
This recommendation is also included in the land use section.
68
This recommendation is also included in the wetlands section.
21
21
TOPIC
NO.
RECOMMENDATION
PROPOSED
IMPLEMENTERS
PRIORITY &
TIMELINE
RIPARIAN LANDS - KNOWLEDGE

2.37
CowandFish
RiparianHealth
InventoryResultsfor
theBowBasin
PrepareasummaryofallavailablepublicCowsandFishdatafor
BRBC, Cows and Fish
theBowBasin.Thissummaryshouldbecompletedinadvanceof
theworkshopbelow.Thissummaryshouldbeupdatedona
regularbasis.
Short-Termby
End2013
2.38
PriorityWetlandand
RiparianAreasin
theBowBasin
Workshops69
Hostaworkshop(orworkshops)ofexpertsandkeystakeholders
to:
identify high priority areas for future wetland and riparian
inventoriesintheBowBasin;
with the information available, develop a strategy to identify all
significantwetlandandriparianlandsand/orcomplexesinthe
BowBasin.
determine if further management actions are required (in
additiontothosecontainedherein).
ThisinformationshouldbemadeavailableontheBRBCwebsite
formunicipalitiesandotherdecisionmakersasaninformationand
decisionsupporttool.Alistofclearlydefinedactionitemsand
nextstepsshouldresultfromtheseworkshops.Theinventory
shouldbekeptup-to-dateasnewinformationbecomeavailable.
BRBC, GOA (ASRD,

AEW, AARD), Bow Basin
Municipalities, Bow
DUC, Cows and Fish,
WSG
Short-Termby
End 2013,
Medium-Term
byEnd2015
toComplete
2.39
ScientificToolsfor
DelineatingRiparian
Areas
Developscientificallyestablishedtoolstohelpdelineateextentof
riparian lands adjacent to watercourses and water bodies,
including wetlands and alluvial aquifers, to sustain water quantity
and water quality.
AWRI*
Short-Termby
End2013
Hostaworkshopofexpertsandkeystakeholderstoraise
awarenessofexistingwetlandandriparianconservationand
management tools (e.g., existing policies, tradable credits,
incentives, disincentives, direct methods, indirect methods,
financial methods, social methods, guidelines, policies, bylaws,
zoning regulations, land use overlays, etc.). A list of clearly
definedactionitemsandnextstepsshouldresultfromthis
workshop.
GOA (ASRD, AEW,

AARD), Bow Basin
Municipalities, Bow
BRBC, Cows and Fish,
DUC, WSG
Medium-Term
byEnd2015
Encourage landowners to implement grazing strategies (e.g.,

fencing, off-site watering, rotational grazing to avoid seasonal wet
areas)toreducethedegreeandimpactoflivestockgrazingon
riparianhabitatandfloodplainsalongriversandcreeks(for
grasslands, forested areas and protected areas). Wintering site
managementstrategiesshouldbedevelopedaspartofthisoverall
strategy.
Enhancetheriparianareacomponentofthewetlandsschool
curriculumandpublicprogrammingAlsoprovidearangeof
opportunitiesforthegeneralpublictolearnaboutthevalueofand
stressestoriparianareasthroughvariousinformationsources(e.g.
signage)andsocialmedia.
Cows and Fish,

Landowners, GOA
(ASRD, AARD) Alberta
EnvironmentalFarm
Plan Company, Bow
Basin Municipalities,
WSG, Bow Basin First
Nations, AEPA
Ongoing

BowBasinMunicipalities, Bow Basin First
Nations, GOA, WSG,
DUC
Short-Termby
End2013
RIPARIAN LANDS - EDUCATION

2.40
Wetlandand
Riparian
ManagementTools
Workshop70
69
70
2.41
(Link
1.47)
Livestock
Managementin
Floodplainsand
RiparianLands
2.42
Wetlandsand
RiparianAreas
Educational
Programmingand
Information

22
22
2.3 WETLANDS
2.3.1 WETLAND RISKS
reduction of surface water quality and quantity due to

degradation and loss of wetlands;
aquatic
aquatic
upland
riparian

cottonwood
upland
<< BRBC Web-Based State of Watershed - Wetlands 72 >>

wetlands were identified as one of the four key areas
of focus requiring immediate attention. The document
outlined some of the risks associated with the continued
loss or degradation of wetlands on both public and
private lands unless steps are taken to address some of
the concerns. These risks included:
riparian
<< BRBC Web-Based State of Watershed Riparian and

Wetland Habitat 71 >>
conifers
snag
aspen
grasses
forbe
rushes
sedges
bulrush cattail
mud flats
pondweed
waterlily
HIGH WATER LINE
coontail
LOW WATER LINE
UPLAND
willow
rushes
sedges
TRANSITIONAL ZONE
WETLAND
woody
debris
TRANSITIONAL ZONE
UPLAND
Figure 11: A Typical Wetland

(Source: Ducks Unlimited Canada in Wetland Ways: Interim Guidelines for Wetland Protection and Conservation in British Columbia, Wetland
Stewardship Partnership)
http://wsow.brbc.ab.ca/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=247%3Aecosystems-riparian-and-wetlandhabitat&catid=33%3Abassano-to-mouth&Itemid=71
72
http://wsow.brbc.ab.ca/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=340%3Awetlands&catid=15%3Astate-of-the-watershed&Itemid=71
73
71
23
23
reduction of groundwater recharge, quality and

quantity;
loss of habitat and biodiversity;
loss of recreational opportunities,
loss of storage, and;
the potential for increased flooding within the
watershed.
It is estimated that about 50 percent of Albertas original
wetland area was gone by 1960, and about 60 percent
had disappeared by 1996. Based on the 1996 inventory,
the original extent of wetlands would have been about
35,500 sq km. Therefore, an estimated 17,750 square
kilometres of Albertas wetlands (50 percent of the
estimated pre-settlement wetlands) had been lost
by 1960, 21,300 square kilometres (60 percent) by
1996, and 21,500 square kilometres by 1999. The area
remaining is about 14,000 square kilometres 74.
2.3.2 RATIONALE FOR FOCUSING ON

WETLANDS 75
Wetlands are an integral component of Albertas mosaic
landscape, and they play an important role in sustaining
healthy watersheds by protecting water quality,
providing water storage and infiltration, as well as other
ecological goods and services that benefit everyone.
Flood Reduction and Erosion Control: Wetlands store
and gradually release water reducing flooding and soil
erosion.
Groundwater Recharge: Many wetlands serve as
a source of water to maintain local and regional
groundwater supplies.
Improve Water Quality: Wetlands can improve water
quality by reducing sedimentation and removing, and
storing nutrients and other pollutants.
Regulate Soil Salinity: Wetlands can help moderate
movement of salts as long as their riparian vegetation
is left intact.
Wildlife Habitat: Wetlands provide habitat for a wide
diversity of animal and plant species including many
threatened and endangered species.
Drought Buffering: Wetlands can provide a valuable

source of water and livestock forage during drought
conditions.
Recreational Opportunities: Wetlands can provide
numerous opportunities for tourism, boating, bird
watching, nature photography, hunting, fishing and
other activities.
Carbon Sequestration: Prairie wetlands are important
land-based carbon storage sites.

The maps in Figures 12 and 13 show wetland
inventories. Please refer to Appendix A for additional
background information, sample policies, bylaws,
standards or guidelines for the wetland section.
2.3.4 BOW BASIN WETLAND OUTCOMES

Impacts to existing wetlands should be avoided
wherever possible.
Existing wetland complexes including associated
upland areas and ephemeral wetlands are kept intact
or restored, ecologically functional, appreciated and
valued.
Core ecological functions of healthy wetlands are
maintained (e.g., water quality protection, water
storage and flood protection, biodiversity, habitat,
etc.).
Invasive plant species are reduced, especially in
riparian lands adjacent to watercourses and water
bodies.
the role wetlands play in supporting healthy
watersheds through water capture and storage,
groundwater recharge and/or discharge, and water
purification;
the importance of connectivity of wetlands to the c
ontinued functionality of wetlands.
Wilson, S., Griffiths, M., Anielski, M. The Alberta GPI Accounts: Wetlands and Peatlands. Report #23. Pembina Institute for
Appropriate Management. 2001.
75
Recommendations for a New Wetland Policy, Alberta Water Council, 2008.
74
24
24
Figure 12: Bow River Basin Wetlands Inventory Coverage 76
This map shows where wetland inventory coverage data is available at the larger scale. The map does not show the results from actual
inventories. The 2009 Grasslands Vegetation Inventory is composed of six main components 1) vegetation, 2) access, 3) hydrography (including
wetlands), 4) digital photography, 5) digital imagery and 6) photogrammetry. The Wet Areas Mapping is derived from the bare-ground digital
elevation model of digitally processed LiDAR images. The primary purpose of this data is to inform land managers of the potential presence of
sensitive aquatic habitats and areas sensitive to disturbance. The Drained Wetland Inventory was produced by Ducks Unlimited Canada and
is derived from photography flown in the 2005 growing season. It represents the current wetland distribution and abundance for participating
municipalities. The SPOT-based Wetland Inventory is vectorized boundary extents for lentic wetlands within Southern Alberta. The wetland
boundary vector layer is attributed with subclasses according to the Grassland Vegetation Inventory specifications including: lentic
temporary, lentic seasonal, lentic semi-permanent, lentic open water, and lentic alkali. The full text for the map disclaimer is located in Footnote
43.
76
25
25
Figure 13: The Bow River Watershed and NAWMP Target Landscapes 77
(Source: Ducks Unlimited Canada May 2011.)

No further net loss of wetland area.
No further net loss of wetland number.
The percentage of Bow Basin Municipalities with

wetland conservation guidelines, policies and/or
bylaws based on no further net loss of wetland area.
The Alberta North American Waterfowl Management Plan (NAWMP) is made up of government and non-government agencies including
Alberta Sustainable Resource Development, Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development, Alberta Environment, Agriculture and Agri-Food
Canada, Ducks Unlimited, Canadian Wildlife Service and the Nature Conservancy of Canada. NAWMP target areas are generated from historical
waterfowl surveys and wetland density inventories. These areas can currently or potentially support high numbers of waterfowl.
76
26
26

INDICATOR
PRIORITY &
TIMELINE
Netlossofwetlandarea.
Limit:Nofurthernetlossofwetlandarea.Thiscanbeachieved
usingexistingtools(e.g.,avoidanceofnegativeimpacts,
guidelines,policies,bestmanagementpractices,compensation
throughrestorationofwetlands,etc.).
Short-Term
byEnd2013
Netlossofwetlandnumberanddiversity.
Target:Nonetlossofwetlandnumberanddiversity.Cumulatively,
multiplewetlandsonthelandscapeprovidegreaterbenefitand
functionthanfewer,largerwetlands.Thediversityofwetlandtypes
alsoneedtobemaintained.
Short-Term
byEnd2013
wetlandconservation,restorationandmanagementguidelines,policiesand/orbylawsbasedon
nofurtherlossofwetlandareas.
Target:100%ofBowBasinMunicipalitieswithwetland
conservation,restorationandmanagementguidelines,policies
and/orbylawsbasedonnofurtherlossofwetlandareas.
Short-Term
byEnd2013
NO.
TOPIC
RECOMMENDATION
PROPOSED
IMPLEMENTERS
PRIORITY &
TIMELINE
WETLANDS - POLICY AND/OR BYLAWS

2.43
Wetland
Conservation
Guidelines for
Municipal and Urban
Areas
Develop wetland conservation and management policies and/or

bylaws based on no further loss of wetland areas, and develop
strategies and tools for measuring and implementing no net loss
within municipal boundaries.78 Municipal examples provided.
Bow Basin
Municipalities, Bow
Basin First Nations
Medium to
Long-Term by
2015 or
beyond
2.44
Wetland
Conservation and
Management
Guidelines for
Agricultural Areas
In consultation with landowners, develop wetland conservation,

restoration and management guidelines, policies and/or bylaws
based on no further loss of wetland areas, and develop strategies
and tools for measuring and implementing no net loss within
agricultural areas.
Bow Basin
Municipalities, Bow
Basin First Nations
Medium-Term
by End 2015
2.45
Provincial Wetland
Policy
Finalize and release a provincial wetland policy. For the Bow

Basin, the BRBC recommends that this policy should be based on
the concept of no net loss of wetland area.
GOA
Short-Term by
End 2013
STRATEGIES AND ACTIONS TABLE NOTES: The highest priority recommendations are highlighted in blue under topic. Where applicable, the
lead agency or jurisdiction is highlighted in blue under proposed implementers. Topics with asterisk are projects that are either in progress or are
planned subject to budgetary approval. Topics that have been italicized are topics that have been carried over from Phase One.
78
In Alberta, the Wetland Management in the Settled Area of Alberta: An Interim Policy (1993) and the Provincial Wetland Restoration /
Compensation Guide (2007) remain current.
77
27
27
NO.
TOPIC
RECOMMENDATION
PROPOSED
IMPLEMENTERS
PRIORITY &
TIMELINE
WETLANDS - PLANNING
2.46
Priority Wetland and

Riparian Areas in the
Bow Basin
Workshops79
Hostaworkshop(orworkshops)ofexpertsandkeystakeholders
to:
identify high priority areas for future wetland and riparian
inventories in the Bow Basin;
with the information available, develop a strategy to identify all
significant wetland and riparian lands and/or complexes in the
Bow Basin.
determine if further management actions are required (in
addition to those contained herein).
This information should be made available on the BRBC website
for municipalities and other decision makers as an information and
decision support tool. A list of clearly defined action items and
next steps should result from these workshops. The inventory
should be kept up-to-date as new information become available.
BRBC, DUC, Cows and

Fish,GOA ( ASRD, AEW,
AARD), Bow Basin
Municipalities, Bow
WSG
Short-Term by
End 2013,
Medium-Term
by End 2015
to Complete
2.47
Wetland Restoration
Continue with efforts to restore and/or reclaim lost and/or

degraded wetlands.
DUC, GOA (AEW)

Western Sky Land Trust,
Southern Alberta Land
Trust Society, Foothills
Land Trust
Short-Term by
End2013
2.48
Land Trusts and

Wetlands
Conservation
Land trusts should continue to work with landowners and other

key stakeholders to help conserve and protect significant riparian
andwetlandareas.
Nature Conservancy of
Canada
Short-Term by
End2013
2.49
Wetland and
Riparian Lands Best
Management
Practices80
Apply best management practices for all wetlands and riparian

lands (e.g., targeted access points, alternative grazing
management systems such as rotational grazing, apply buffers
around wetlands and riparian areas, etc.).
WETLANDS - BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES

Bow Basin Municipalities,
Bow Basin First Nations,
Landowners, Industry,
AEPA
Short-Term by
End2013
GOA
Short-Term by
End2013
Short-Term by
End2013
WETLANDS - KNOWLEDGE
2.50
Alberta Wetland
Classification System
Finalize and release a single wetland classification system to be

used throughout Alberta.
2.51
Wetland and
Riparian Management Tools
Workshop81
Host a workshop of experts and key stakeholders to raise

awareness of existing wetland and riparian conservation and
management tools (e.g., existing policies, tradable credits,
incentives, disincentives, direct methods, indirect methods,
financial methods, social methods, guidelines, policies, bylaws,
zoning regulations, land use overlays, etc.). A list of clearly defined
action items and next steps should result from this workshop.

DUC, GOA, Bow Basin
Municipalities, Bow
WSG
WetlandEducation
Develop an education strategy to specifically target the loss of

wetlands in agricultural areas.
DUC, BRBC, GOA
WETLANDS - EDUCATION
2.52
Short-Term by
End2013
WETLANDS - KNOWLEDGE
2.53 WetlandFunction
(Link Research
1.61)
Further research into wetland function including investigating

groundwater recharge and surface water quantity relationships in
wetland function.
DUC*, AEW, University

of Calgary
Medium-Term
by End 2015
This recommendation is also included in the riparian lands section.

81
79
80
28
28
2.4 HEADWATERS AND OTHER

HYDROLOGICALLY SIGNIFICANT AREAS
<< BRBC Web-based State of Watershed Hydrology 82 >>
<< BRBC Web-based State of Watershed Upper Bow
River Sub-basin 83 >>
2.4.1 HEADWATERS AND OTHER

HYDROLOGICALLY SIGNIFICANT AREAS RISKS
headwaters were identified as one of the four key areas
of focus requiring immediate attention. The document
outlined some of the risks associated with headwaters
unless steps are taken to address some of the concerns.
These risks included:
degradation of critical water quantity recharge areas;
degradation of water quality; and,
negative impacts to water quality and quantity as a
result of forest cover disturbance.
2.4.2 RATIONALE FOR FOCUSING ON

HEADWATERS AND OTHER HYDROLOGICALLY
SIGNIFICANT AREAS 85
Headwaters are the upland areas that contribute the
greatest portion of flow somewhere in the range of
80 percent of total volume of the Bow River Basin.
Headwaters are characterized by accumulation,
storage, purification and gradual release of surface and
groundwater flows. Hydrologically significant areas
include areas such as alluvial aquifers, recharge zones,
critical source areas, wetland meadows, groundwater
zones susceptible to contamination, wetland complexes,
and riparian lands.
Over 80 percent of southern Albertas water comes from
its Southern East Slopes. Precipitation that falls east of
the Continental Divide may be stored as snow, soak into
the ground to become groundwater, or flow into streams
and journey east through Albertas river networks. The
mountains and the foothills act as the primary source of

water for the South Saskatchewan River Basin. Water that
filters into the groundwater network provides 90 percent
of rural Albertans with their drinking water.86 These are
our source waters.
Water is the lifeblood that sustains our communities,
environment, and economy in southern Alberta. It
provides drinking water for people, the foundation for a
rich web of aquatic and terrestrial life, and our economy.
Alluvial aquifers and floodplains provide unique
ecosystem services within a river/stream corridor and are
part of the contiguous surface and subsurface network
that helps sustain and regulate instream flow essential
to healthy aquatic and riparian habitat. These features
serve as important transitional reservoirs for taking up
high flow water loading from the stream and upland
groundwater water downloading thereby reducing
negative flood impacts with their storage capacity and
reducing low flow impacts by slowly releasing their
stored waters to the stream under low flow conditions.
Protecting the functionality of these alluvial features
and the riparian area is key to maintaining the stream
hyporheic zone that helps maintain the instream
ecosystem health and plays a key role in regulating water
quality. Areas of particular concern include:
Areas of alluvial aquifers
Areas of intensive municipal development
All wetland meadows.

The map in Figure 14 shows areas that could influence
the timing and supply of water within the Bow River
Basin. Figure 15 shows resource managemenst zones for
the Eastern Slopes Policy, and Figure 16 shows the water
yield for the Bow River Basin sub-basins.
information, sample policies, bylaws, standards or
guidelines for the headwaters and other hydrologically
significant areas section.
http://wsow.brbc.ab.ca/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=259%3Ahydrology&catid=17%3Abow-river-basin&Itemid=181
http://wsow.brbc.ab.ca/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=108&Itemid=91
84
85
Source of Opportunity: A Blueprint for Securing Source Water in Southern Alberta, Water Matters.
86
Agriculture and Rural Development. 2008. Understanding Groundwater. Government of Alberta.
http://www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$department/deptdocs.nsf/all/wwg406.
82
83
29
29
Figure 14: The Bow River Watershed and NAWMP Target Landscapes 87
2.4.4 RELATED OUTCOMES

Headwaters are managed with source water
protection as the highest priority.
Headwaters are managed to provide a continuous
supply of clean water to meet the needs of the
environment, and the residents of the Bow Basin and

those who depend on its water,
Enhanced knowledge and understanding of the key
ecosystem services provided in the headwaters region.
This map is a conceptual map developed for the South Saskatchewan Regional Plan highlighting areas that could influence the timing and
supply of water within the Bow River Basin. The map does not include data for Banff National Park. This conceptual map did not consider water
quality, sensitive fish habitats or other ecosystems, and smaller scale issues such as level of disturbance (e.g., harvest, road densities range
density, etc). This map was developed based on 1) areas greater than 6,000 feet, 2) areas between 4,000 and 6,000 feet, 3) topography > 5 %
or within 30 m of a water body, and 4) aspect north facing (N + 60o) areas. These areas were combined to make a) critical areas for the region
(>6,000ft), b) high (intersect of #2,3 and 4 noted above) - areas likely to have higher snow packs with a possibility of higher water yields, and c)
medium (#2 noted above) - areas will still likely have the higher water yields. The full text for the map disclaimer
is located in Footnote 43.
87
30
30
Figure 15: Resource Management Zones for the Eastern Slopes Policy 88, 89

Changes to the area of the human footprint in the
headwaters.
The percentage of Bow Basin Municipalities that
have taken steps to 1) inventory all hydrologically
significant areas and 2) conserve areas noted as

significant.
The density of linear disturbance (e.g., roads, power
transmission lines, seismic lines and pipelines, etc.).
This map shows the eight regional land use zones as identified in the 1984 A Policy for Resource Management of the Eastern Slopes.
Regional zoning identifies units of land for which intents and objectives are specified. This map does not include data for Banff National Park.
The full text for the map disclaimer is located in Footnote 43.
89
A Policy for Resource Management of the Eastern Slopes 1984. Alberta Energy and Natural Resources, Edmonton, Alberta. http://www.srd.
alberta.ca/LandsForests/LandusePlanning/IntegratedResourcePlans.aspx
88
31
31
Figure 16: Bow River Basin - Water Yield 90
This map shows the water yield for the Bow River Basin sub-basins. It is calculated by dividing the mean annual volume of stream flow in a
sub-basin by the area of the sub-basin. Map layers used in the development of this map courtesy of Dr. Stefan W. Kienzle and Markus Mueller,
Department of Geography, University of Lethbridge August 2010. The full text for the map disclaimer is located in Footnote 43.
90
32
32
INDICATOR
PRIORITY &
TIMELINE
preparedaninventoryofallhydrologically
significantareasandareasofhighbiodiversity/
speciesintactnesswithintheorganizations
jurisdiction
Target:100%ofBowBasinMunicipalitieshavepreparedan
inventoryofallhydrologicallysignificantareas(e.g.,criticalrecharge
areas,alluvialaquifers,riparianlands,floodplains,wetlands,
groundwaterresources,etc.)andareasofhighbiodiversity/
speciesintactnesswithintheorganizationsjurisdiction.
MediumTermbyEnd
2015
takenstepstoavoidhydrologicallysignificant
areasandareasofhighbiodiversity/species
intactness.
orbylawstohelpensurethatidentifiedhydrologicallysignificant
areasandareasofhighbiodiversityareavoidedduring
developmentandredevelopment.
MediumTermbyEnd
2015
NO.
TOPIC
RECOMMENDATION
PROPOSED
IMPLEMENTERS
PRIORITY &
TIMELINE
HEADWATERS AND OTHER HYDROLOGICALLY SIGNIFICANT AREAS - POLICY AND/OR BYLAWS

2.54
Conservationof
Hydrologically
SignificantAreas
andAreasofHigh
Biodiversity
Developaprocesstoidentifyandbettermanage(forthehealth
andfunctionofthewatershed)allhydrologicallysignificantareas
(e.g.,criticalrechargeareas,alluvialaquifers,etc.)andareasof
highbiodiversitywithintheorganizationsjurisdiction.Potential
methodsinclude1)avoidanceofareasthroughregionalplanning
and/orzoningand2)clarifyingappropriatelanduseswithin
hydrologicallysignificantareas.
GOA,GOC(Parks
Canada),BowBasin
Municipalities,Bow
BasinFirstNations,
BowBasin
Medium-Term
byEnd2015
2.55
LandUseDistricts
Createlandusedistrictsandaccompanyinglandusebylawsto
managepermitteduseswithinhydrologicallysignificantareas.
Municipalities,Bow
BasinFirstNations
Medium-Term
byEnd2015
2.56
WaterStewardship
GroupInitiatives
HEADWATERS AND OTHER HYDROLOGICALLY SIGNIFICANT AREAS - PLANNING

Identificationofstrategiestohelpidentifyandbettermanage(for
WSG,BowBasin
thehealthandfunctionofthewatershed)hydrologicallysignificant Municipalities,Bow
areasthatareparticularlyvulnerabletoland-useimpacts(e.g.,
BasinFirstNations
alluvialaquifers,rechargezones,groundwaterzonessusceptible
tocontamination,wetlandcomplexes,riparianlands).
Short-Termby
End2013
STRATEGIES AND ACTIONS TABLE NOTES: The highest priority recommendations are highlighted in blue under topic. Where applicable, the
lead agency or jurisdiction is highlighted in blue under proposed implementers. Topics with asterisk are projects that are either in progress or are
planned subject to budgetary approval. Topics that have been italicized are topics that have been carried over from Phase One.
91
33
33
NO.
TOPIC
RECOMMENDATION
PROPOSED
IMPLEMENTERS
PRIORITY &
TIMELINE
HEADWATERS AND OTHER HYDROLOGICALLY SIGNIFICANT AREAS - KNOWLEDGE

2.57
Inventoryof
Hydrologically
SignificantAreas
andAreasofHigh
Biodiversity
Establishcriteriafordefininghydrologicallysignificantareas,and
helpachieveaconstantapproachintheinventoryprocess.
Prepareapubliclyaccessibleinventory(databaseandmaps)ofall
hydrologicallysignificantareas(e.g.,criticalrechargeareas,alluvial
aquifers,riparianlands,floodplains,wetlands,groundwater
resources,etc.)andareasofhighbiodiversitywithinthe
organizationsjurisdiction.Thisinventoryshouldclearlyhighlight
areasthatarepriorityareasforconservationorenhanced
managementduetotheirfunctionalsignificance.
GOA(AEW*,ASRD,
AARD,ATPR),Bow
BasinMunicipalities,
BowBasinFirstNations
Short-Termby
End2013
2.58
ProvincialAquatic
Environmentally
SignificantAreas
Continuethedevelopmentofaprovincialaquaticenvironmentally
significantareasmapbasedoncriteriaprovidedbytheAlberta
WaterCouncil.Detailedbasin-specificmapsshouldbeprovided
toallWPACs.
GOA(AEW*,ASRD,
AARD,ATPR)
Short-Termby
End2013
2.59
(Link
1.56)
AlluvialAquifers
Landuse(e.g.,development)onalluvialaquifershasthepotential
toaffectbothgroundwaterandsurfacewaterqualityandquantity.
Riverconnectedalluvialaquifersshouldbemappedandincluded
onmapsasareaswheregroundwaterprotectionshouldbe
considered.Ideally,alluvialaquifersshouldbezonedas
groundwaterprotectionareas,andlimitedtolandusesthatare
protectiveofgroundwater(andhencesurfacewater)quality.
GOA,GOC(Parks
Canada),BowBasin
Municipalities,Bow
BasinFirstNations,
Short-Termby
End2013
2.60
(Link
1.25)
HeadwaterRunoff
Modeling
Evaluatethepotentiallandcoverscenariosintheheadwatersof
theBowBasinusingexistingrunoffmodelsinresponseto
differentlevelsofforestdisturbance(e.g.forestry,fireand
mountainpinebeetle).Investigatetherelativerisksusingmore
extremeflowevents,changesinannualwatersupplies,and
changestoerosionandsedimentloading.
GOA(ASRD*,AEW),
AlbertaWaterResearch
Institute,Research
Institutes,GOC(Parks
Canada)
Medium-Term
byEnd2015
2.61
Sedimentationfrom
RoadConstruction
Continuetoinvestigateenhancedstrategiestocontrol
sedimentationfromroadconstruction.
GOA(ASRD),Spray
LakesSawmills,Off
HighwayVehicleUser
Groups,GWAS,GOC
(ParksCanada)
Ongoing
2.62
Sedimentationfrom
OffHighwayVehicle
Use
Continuetoinvestigateenhancedstrategiestocontrol
sedimentationfromoffroadvehicleuse.
GOA(ASRD),Off
HighwayVehicleUser
Groups,GWAS
Ongoing
2.63
WetAreasMapping
CompleteandreleasetheLIDAR-basedwetareasmapping
projectresults.
GOA(ASRD*)
Short-Termby
End2013
2.64
EcosystemServices
2.65
Market-BasedTools
HEADWATERS AND OTHER HYDROLOGICALLY SIGNIFICANT AREAS - RESEARCH
2.66
SocialScience
Researchon
RecreationalTrends
intheBowBasin
Furtherresearchonecosystemservicesforheadwatersandother
hydrologicallysignificantareasisrequired.
Furtherresearchonmarketbasedtools(e.g.,tradablecredits,
incentives,disincentives,etc.)forheadwatersandhydrologically
significantareasisrequired.
ResearchInstitutes
Long-Termby
End2017
ResearchInstitutes
Medium-Term
byEnd2015
FurtherresearchonanticipatedrecreationaltrendsintheBow
Basinisrequired.
ResearchInstitutes
Medium-Term
byEnd2015
34
34
3.0 Section Three

3.1 BBWMP PHASE ONE UPDATES
As a matter of practice, each successive phase of the
BBWMP will review previous phases to determine if any
updates are required.
For BBWMP Phase One, a subset of available Technical
Committee members from Phase One were reconvened
via conference calls in December 2010 and January
2011. These individuals included J.P. Bechtold (Golder),
Brian Hills (AEW), Joanne Little (ARD), Jamie Dixon
(City of Calgary), Rob Wolfe (AEW), Paul Christensen
(ASRD) and Wendell Koning (AEW) for the December
conference call and Wendell Koning (AEW), Jamie
Dixon (City of Calgary) and Rob Wolfe (AEW) for the
January conference call. These updates only include
rivers and/or reaches originally considered in Phase
One.
ORIGINAL WATER QUALITY

OBJECTIVE
Prior to these conference calls, a request was forwarded

to all members of the BBWMP Technical Committee
requesting suggestions for Water Quality Objectives or
recommendations that needed to be updated. Similarly,
all members of the original BBWMP TC were contacted
via e-mail to review and provide comments on the
changes suggested as a result of the two conference
calls. No comments were received on the proposed
amendments. Clarification of the water temperature
sections were included prior to BBWMP completion
based on the work of Wendell Koning (AEW), Paul
Christensen (ASRD), Allan Locke (ASRD), Andrew Paul
(ASRD) and Narayan Pokhrel (AEW).
An up-dated Phase 1 Water Quality Objectives and
Indicators table is provided in Appendix B and C.
PROPOSED REVISION
PATHOGENSASINDICATEDBYE.COLI PATHOGENSASINDICATEDBYE.COLI
BowRiveraboveParkBoundary-WQO
notprovided.
BowRiverCentral-WQOnotprovided.
NoseCreek-WQOnotprovided.
BowRiveraboveParkBoundary-WQO:Meet
recreationalguidelinenosinglevaluetoexceed
400E.coli/100mLor<200E.coli/100mL
(geometricmean5samples/30d).
RATIONALE
E.coliobjectiveswerenotoriginally
providedinsomecases.Wherethis
occurred,theagreementwastouse
CCMEGuidelines.AprovisionalWQO
indicatesthatfurtherresearchisrequired.
BowRiverCentral-WQO:Meetrecreational
guidelinenosinglevaluetoexceed400E.coli/per
100mLor(<200E.coliper100mL(geometric
mean5samples/30d).
NoseCreekProvisionalWQO:Meetrecreational
guidelinenosinglevaluetoexceed400E.coli/per
100mLor(<200E.coliper100mL(geometric
mean5samples/30d).
TOTALORGANICCARBON
TOTALORGANICCARBON
BowaboveParkBoundaryWQOnot
provided.
BowaboveParkBoundaryWQO:Shouldnot
exceed3.0mg/L(instantaneous)
NoseCreekWQOnotprovided.
NoseCreekWQOnotprovided.(Nochangefrom
previous.)
TOTALPHOSPHORUS
TOTALPHOSPHORUS
BowLowerWQOnotprovided.
BowLowerWQO:0.05mg/LTARGET:Eliminate
levelsthatcausenuisanceaquaticplantgrowth.
ElbowCentralWQOnotprovided.
ElbowCentralWQO:0.05mg/LTARGET:
Eliminatelevelsthatcausenuisanceaquaticplant
growth.
TotalOrganicCarbonobjectiveswerenot
originallyprovidedinsomecases.Forthe
BowRiveraboveParkBoundary,the
agreementwastousethesamevaluefor
BowRiverbelowParkBoundary.ForNose
Creek,thisdecisionwasdeferreduntil
additionaldataisavailable.
TotalPhosphorusobjectiveswerenot
originallyprovidedinsomecases.Where
thisoccurred,theagreementwastouse
AlbertaSurfaceWaterQualityGuidelines.
AprovisionalWQOindicatesthatfurther
researchisrequired.
NoseCreekProvisionalWQO:0.05mg/LTARGET:
Eliminatelevelsthatcausenuisanceaquaticplant
growth.
35
35

OBJECTIVE
PROPOSED REVISION
TOTALDISSOLVEDPHOSPHORUS
TOTALDISSOLVEDPHOSPHORUS
NoseCreekWQO:ProvisionalWQO:0.02mg/L
TARGET:Eliminatelevelsthatcausenuisance
aquaticplantgrowth.
DISSOLVEDOXYGEN
DISSOLVEDOXYGEN
NoseCreekProvisionalWQO5.0mg/L(acute
dailyminimum),6.5chronic(7dayrunningaverage)
TOTALSUSPENDEDSOLIDS
TOTALSUSPENDEDSOLIDS
RATIONALE
TotalDissolvedPhosphorusobjectives
werenotoriginallyprovidedforNose
Creek.TheTDPobjectiveforNoseCreek
wascalculatedbasedontheaverage/
medianTDP/TPvaluescalculatedforNose
CreekattheMouth(average=0.35,
median=0.35,N=135),andthenapplied
theratiototheprovisionalTPWQOof
0.05mg/L,i.e.,WQO=(0.05mg/L*0.35)
=0.02mg/L.AprovisionalWQOindicates
thatfurtherresearchisrequired.
DissolvedOxygenobjectiveswerenot
originallyprovidedforNoseCreek.Where
thisoccurred,theagreementwastouse
CCMEGuidelines.AprovisionalWQO
indicatesthatfurtherresearchisrequired.
TotalSuspendedSolidsobjectiveswere
notoriginallyprovidedforNoseCreek.
NoseCreekProvisionalWQO:Ifthebackground
Wherethisoccurred,theagreementwasto
concentrationis:
useCCMEGuidelines.AprovisionalWQO
<25mg/Lconditionsmustnotexceedaseverityof indicatesthatfurtherresearchisrequired.
ill-effect(SEV)valueof6
>25mg/LconditionsmustnotexceedanSEV
valueof7-(CCME2002,Cauxetal1997)
>250mg/L(CCME2002)applies(conditionsshould
notincreasemorethan10%abovebackground
levelswhenbackgroundis>250mg/L)
CalculationoftheSEVvaluemustbetakenfromfully
mixedzone.WARNINGLEVEL:Visibleplumeentering
riverduringbaseriverflow.TARGET:CCME(CCME
1999),increasecompliancefrequencywithobjectives
WATERTEMPERATURE
WATERTEMPERATURE92
BowRiverCentral-WQO:Shouldnot
exceed24Catanytime.
BowRiverCentral-WQO:Shouldnotexceed22C
atanytimeor7daymean>18Catfrequencies
greaterthannaturalexceedences.
WATERTEMPERATURE
WATERTEMPERATURE93
BowRiver(andtributaries)inthisarea
containRainbowTrout,Mountain
Whitefish,BrownTrout,BullTrout(not
common)andCutthroatTrout(not
common).AcutetemperaturesforBull
Trout,CutthroatTroutandMountain
Whitefishareall22C,asdescribedin
TaylorandBarton,1992.The24Cvalue
usedfromtheHighwoodManagement
planisnotsuitableforwidespread
applicationinBowRiverCentralarea.
TheoriginalWQOacutewatertemperature
valuesof29CarebasedonWalleye.
BowRiverLower-WQO:Shouldnot
Walleyearenotpresentinthereach
BowRiverLower-WQO:
exceed29Catanytimeora7-day
betweenCarselandWeirandBassanoDam.
1)Shouldnota)exceed22Catanytime;orb)
meanof24C.WARNINGLEVEL:
Thissectionisactivelymanagedfor
exceeda7daymean>18CfortheBowRiver
ABOVEBASSANODAM:Awarninglevel betweenCarselandWeirandBassanoDamat
RainbowTrout,BrownTroutandMountain
of24Cshouldbeusedasasignalto
Whitefish,forwhichappropriatevalueshave
frequenciesgreaterthannaturalexceedences.
stopallanglinguntilsuchtimeas
beenprovided.Itisrecognizedthatthere
2)Shouldnotexceed29Catanytimeora7-day
temperaturesfallbelow24Cfora
arecurrentlyexceedencesof22Canda7
mean>24CfortheBowRiverbetweenBassano
periodof2consecutivedays.
DamandtheSouthSaskatchewanRiverconfluence daymeanof>18C;theintentistoensure
noadditionalfrequencyofexceedences.
atfrequenciesgreaterthannaturalexceedences.
Note: The Bow River is highly regulated resulting in the daily, seasonal and annual flow patterns being very different from what would occur
naturally. Understanding how flow regulation affects the frequency, duration and exceedance of meeting any water quality criterion is an
important knowledge requirement. Should there be an investigation of alternative flow management in the Bow River, we suggest the knowledge
gap be addressed through appropriate water quality modeling.
93
Note: The Bow River is highly regulated resulting in the daily, seasonal and annual flow patterns being very different from what would occur
naturally. Understanding how flow regulation affects the frequency, duration and exceedance of meeting any water quality criterion is an
important knowledge requirement. Should there be an investigation of alternative flow management in the Bow River,
we suggest the knowledge gap be addressed through appropriate water quality modeling.
92
36
36

OBJECTIVE
WATERTEMPERATURETARGETS
Notargetsset.
PROPOSED REVISION
RATIONALE
WATERTEMPERATURETARGETS
Seetablethatfollows.
Watertemperaturetargetswerenot
developedinPhaseOne.
CHANGES TO THE BOW CENTRAL WATER TEMPERATURE TARGETS (Optimum Temperature Ranges (oC) 94 )
Egg Incubation
Egg Incubation
Timing
RainbowTrout
7-12
Apr1-Jun15
7-12
15-20
12-18
2-16
Apr1-Jun15
BrownTrout
2-10
Sept15Mar31
7-15
7-19
12-19
<9(toinitiate)
Sept15Nov15
Mountain
Whitefish
~4
Sept15Mar31
~12
~12
Unavailable
~3(<6to
initiate)
Sept15Nov15
Species
Fry
Juvenile
Adult
Spawning
Migration
Spawning
Timing
N.B.R. Taylor and B.A. Barton, 1992. Temperature and Dissolved Oxygen Criteria for Alberta Fishes in Flowing Waters. Alberta Fish and Wildlife
Division, Edmonton Alberta. 72pp.
94
37
37
4.0 Section Four

4.1 PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT
4.2 IMPLEMENTATION AND NEXT STEPS
The BBWMP planning process emphasizes the

involvement of citizens, water resource users, and
interest groups with a stake in water resources. The key
objective of public engagement process is to provide
interested members of the public, key stakeholders and
decision making agencies with ample opportunity to
provide input during the development of the watershed
management plan. A summary of these activities are
included below.
Following the release of the final version of the BBWMP,

the BRBC will initiate the formation of a BBWMP
implementation committee to provide assistance and
advice to all proposed implementers. This will include:
Presentations at the BRBC Quarterly Education and

Networking Forums (June 2010, September 2010,
December 2010, March 2011, June 2011, September
2011, March 2012) (~60 80 attendees at each
forum)
presentations on materials contained within the

BBWMP (as requested);
providing contact names of local experts for specific
topics (where available);
encouraging and tracking implementation progress;
identifying opportunities for shared responsibility and
coordination of efforts;
Two Bow Basin Watershed Management Plan

Workshops in Cochrane (November 2010 and March
2011) (~80 attendees at each workshop)
providing further examples of templates and

municipal land bylaw provisions on the BRBC website
to assist with implementation;
Presentations to the Calgary Regional Partnership,

Rocky View County, Agri-Environmental Partnership
of Alberta, Calgary Real Estate Board, City of Brooks,
Town of Banff, City of Okotoks, MD of Bighorn,
Canadian Water Resources Association Conference.
Canadian Water and Wastewater Association National
Conference.
providing incentives for good stewards (e.g.,

recognition, awards, etc.)
Two Articles in the Cochrane Eagle

Two Expert Panel Conference Calls
Presentations to the BRBC Monitoring and Modelling
Committee, BRBC Education and Communications
Committee, BRBC Legislation and Policy Committee,
BRBC Watershed Stewardship Committee.
Draft BBWMP Survey
Three Local Decision Maker Workshops (Calgary,
Canmore and Brooks)
Three General Public Open Houses (Calgary, Canmore
and Brooks)
A complete list of all BBWMP public engagement
activities is included in Appendix D.
95
encouraging the development of intermunicipal

bodies and intermunicipal development plans to help
conserve and manage hydrologically significant areas;
providing an annual summary report (contingent on
the level of stakeholder implementation activities)
highlighting progress to date, lessons learned and
next steps.
Implementation of the strategies and actions contained
within the BBWMP remains within the mandates of the
partnering agencies and jurisdictions. To be successful
and achieve the desired outcomes, all partnering
agencies and jurisdictions will need to take steps to
implement their respective strategies and actions to the
best of their ability. This includes actions by the BRBC
as outlined in the Strategies and Actions section.
As outlined in BRBCs Future Planning Priorities for
the Bow Basin 95, it is anticipated that Phase Three of
the BBWMP will deal with surface and groundwater
quantity. Based on progress to date, Phase Three is
expected to commence in September 2013.
38
38
LEVELOF
EFFORT
PREORPOSTPROJECTPROPOSEDREVISION
PROJECTPHASE
PHASEORCONTINUOUS
(80%EFFORT)
EFFORT(20%EFFORT)
PRIMARY FOCUS
2009-10
2010-11
2011-12
2012-13
RATIONALE
IMPLEMENTATIONPHASE
(40%EFFORT)
2013-14
2014-15
2015-16
On-LineStateofWatershed
ReportandSummaryBooklet
COMPLETED!
PhaseTwo:LandUse,
Headwaters,Wetlands&Riparian
LandsIMPLEMENTATION
PhaseThree:Surfaceand
GroundwaterQuantity
PhaseFour:SurfaceWater
QualityRevisitedand
GroundwaterQuality
The BBWMP is a living document. As new information

becomes available, updates to the existing version of the
BBWMP should be considered on a case-by-case basis
by the BRBC Board of Directors. All future phases of
the BBWMP will include the work of previous phases

with the goal of building a comprehensive integrated
watershed management plan.
39
39

Calgary Water Centre
Mail Code #414
P.O. Box 2100 Station M
Calgary, AB Canada T2P 2M5
Street Address: 625 - 25th Ave S.E.
Mark Bennett, B.Sc., MPA
Executive Director
tel: 403.268.4596
fax: 403.268.6906
email: mark.bennett@calgary.ca
Mike Murray, B.Sc.
Program Manager
tel: 403.268.4597
fax: 403.268.6906
email: mike.murray@calgary.ca
www.brbc.ab.ca

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Bow River Basin Council

Bow Basin Watershed Management Plan

Land Use, Headwaters,

COPYRIGHT AND TERMS OF USE

Bow River Project Final Report

Watershed Management Plan 2012

Bow River Project Final Report

Watershed Management Plan 2012

Gloria Wilkinson (Vice-Chair) - until 111020

Bow River Project Final Report

Watershed Management Plan 2012

IMPORTANT NOTE: The section below is a summary.

Please refer to the relevant Strategies and Actions

SUMMARY: STRATEGIES AND ACTIONS

Provide and maintain a warehouse of sample

Bow River Project Final Report

Watershed Management Plan 2012

BOW BASIN MUNICIPALITIES & FIRST NATIONS

grazing management systems such as rotational

COWS AND FISH

Apply best management practices for all wetlands and

Bow River Project Final Report

Watershed Management Plan 2012

Provide ongoing support to local Watershed

WATERSHED STEWARDSHIP GROUPS

municipalities, First Nations, other WSGs and

Bow River Project Final Report

Watershed Management Plan 2012

Bow River Project Final Report

Watershed Management Plan 2012

Bow River Project Final Report

Watershed Management Plan 2012

Bow River Project Final Report

Watershed Management Plan 2012

American Planning Association.

Bow River Project Final Report

Watershed Management Plan 2012

Alberta Land Stewardship Act, Statutes of Alberta, 2009.

Bow River Project Final Report

Watershed Management Plan 2012

How to Use This Report

desired and whether or not the actions being taken to

The basis for the use of the environmental indicators is

The information, strategies and tools for performance

Address the problems

Compare indicator values

Making data accessible on

Figure 1: Environmental Performance Management System

Bow River Project Final Report

Watershed Management Plan 2012

BRBC WEB-BASED STATE OF WATERSHED

BRBC WEB-BASED STATE OF WATERSHED

SECTION TWO: Provides the main components of the

APPENDIX G: Provides highlights from the Future

SECTION ONE: Provides an introduction; an overview

APPENDIX H: Provides a comprehensive list of all key

Bow River Project Final Report

Watershed Management Plan 2012

HOW TO USE THIS REPORT

1.0 SECTION ONE 1

1.2 VISION FOR THE BOW BASIN WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PLAN

1.3 PURPOSE AND MANDATE