On February 29th, the Building Multi-Year Drought Resiliency Workshop was hosted by four southern Watershed Planning and Advisory Councils (WPACs): Oldman Watershed Council, South East Alberta Watershed Alliance, Milk River Watershed Council Canada, and Bow River Basin Council.
The fifth instalment in our "Understanding Drought" blog series is now live. In it, we look beneath the surface and unearth information about groundwater.
Blog #4 in our *Understanding Drought** blog series about the current drought in Alberta. Learn about how Alberta’s water-using sectors have made improvements to water conservation, efficiency, and productivity.
In blog #3 in our “Understanding Drought” series, we look at water management, sharing, and licensing in Alberta.
We're all wrapping up major projects and winding down for Christmas - it's a good time to think about all the incredible things that have happened in the Oldman watershed, and at OWC, in 2017. We've put together some highlights for you, with lots of links to 2017's best photos, videos, maps and key events. It's our year in review - and our way of saying thank you to everyone who calls the Oldman watershed home. Merry Christmas, everyone!
Southern Alberta relies on intensive agriculture and livestock production. When you drive through the countryside, what do you see? Lots of people want to know that their food is safe - but how much attention do we pay to what happens on our fields? There is real innovation happening in the Oldman watershed - and here's a story about hemp use and a special kind of recycling - another #SAWC17 project!
Lethbridge is set to grow in population - so is the rest of Southern Alberta. Can we be smart about it? Guest blogger Ryan Carriere, Parks Planning Manager of the City of Lethbridge - Infrastructure Services ponders the question, and the OWC offers some insight as well. Alberta is projected to add close to 1.8 million residents over the next 25 years, reaching 6 million by 2041. Now, more than ever before, we must bring watershed vocabulary into our thoughts and actions.
SACPA recently invited us to present at the Lethbridge Public Library and give an update on our current research. Anna Garleff, Communications Specialist, and Shannon Frank, Executive Director, welcomed a full house and were excited to present history, maps, timelines and videos to the crowd. Thank you for coming - we had representation from throughout the watershed and we were thrilled to see everyone there. Here's the narrated PowerPoint for those who couldn't make it.
How old is the Oldman? That is to say, how far back in human memory do we have stories about our region? SAPA and the Lethbridge Public Library are hosting the OWC on November 23rd at an EVENING EVENT sneak peek behind-the-scenes of our Film Project. We will be showcasing the research on our historical maps and timeline which underscore present-day watershed issues and the videos we are making about them. All are welcome, admission is free. We hope you will bring a friend and join us!
You will probably have seen the 3 videos that are now out about urban watershed management and health. They are available on our You Tube channel. Now in the works are 3 videos on urban themes - again, from a scientific viewpoint, one for the kids and one for the public. Thanks to the Potato Growers of Alberta for their collaboration and support of our Film Project ... and this write-up!
The Oldman Watershed Council hopes to unite municipalities and organizations to protect the local water supply.
On Monday, Lethbridge City Council agreed to add their name to a Southern Alberta Water Charter proposed by the OWC. Signing the charter pledges action and commitment to the betterment of the health of the Oldman watershed.
Recently, the OWC took Minister Phillips and MLA Fitzpatrick up to the headwaters for a tour of our area of special interest, Dutch Creek, and some flyfishing. We got the opportunity to capture some of it on film. In this clip, Minister Phillips explains how the OWC - and the other 10 Watershed Planning and Advisory Councils across Alberta - help inform her work.
Join Us! This is your opportunity to catch up with friends, make new ones and have fun learning about OWC's accomplishments over the past year! Interactive games and unique door prizes top off this free event in Lethbridge! Register today!!
***SCREENING LIVE FOR WORLD WATERDAY MARCH 22*** With all the attention on the headwaters at the moment (it IS, after all, the first goal tackled via the OWC's Action Plans ....) it can be easy at times to forget what happens downstream. That, is, until disaster strikes like it did in the floods of 2013. Filmmaker Rick Searle explains how decisions made upstream helped contribute to a semi-arid corner of Manitoba being completely flooded ...
