Oldman Watershed Council
2025 Spring Forecast

Spring is the time of year to look at the water forecast for the coming year. Find updates on our watershed’s drought stage, water sharing agreements, reservoir levels, and snowpack accumulation.

2025 Spring Forecast
Oldman Watershed Council
Spring into Spring with iNaturalist

Looking for a fun, low-stakes way to get outside this spring? Get to know your local plants and animals using iNaturalist! Additionally, bumble bees will be back soon, and you can view and learn about local sightings in our ‘bumble bees of the Oldman watershed’ project!

Spring into Spring with iNaturalist
Oldman Watershed Council
Natural Infrastructure: Money in the (Stream) ...

Just how much is Natural Infrastructure worth? Find out in our latest blog!

Natural Infrastructure: Money in the (Stream) Bank
Oldman Watershed Council
Bumble Bees in Winter

What’s cute, fuzzy, and sleeps through winter? Bumble bees! Find out where they hunker down in winter, and what cues tell them it’s time to emerge and forage in spring.

Bumble Bees in Winter
Oldman Watershed Council
Frequently Asked Questions about Coal Mining

The Oldman Watershed Council (OWC) has received many requests for information about coal mining. In this FAQ blog, we answer the most common questions and provide links for readers seeking additional details and information.

Frequently Asked Questions about Coal Mining

backcountry

(Still) Staking Out the Backcountry

(Still) Staking Out the Backcountry

You've loaded the trailer, driven to your favourite backcountry hideaway... only to find it's been "staked" out with willows and fence posts! What is going on? Find out how YOU can help keep our rivers healthy, just by letting these areas recover.

Headwaters Roses and Thorns

Headwaters Roses and Thorns

Check-up on our previous restoration sites. Have the willows planted by our hardworking volunteers survived? Are folks steering clear and allowing sites time needed to regrow and recover? Is there potential for more work to be done? Our Outreach Assistants give you the scoop!

2017 Restoration Narration

2017 Restoration Narration

Every good field day begins with coffee and tasty pastries, and ends with the feeling that you're saving the world. Enjoy this creative piece about our October 2017 Restoration Event. Huge thanks to our volunteers, partners, and funders - this is dedicated to you!

Signs of the Times

Signs of the Times

Whatever our preferred form of recreation, it's up to everyone to Know Before You Go. Keep an eye out for these signs - please respect and obey them, so that we can keep our backcountry beautiful and healthy!

Staking Out the Backcountry

Staking Out the Backcountry

You've loaded the trailer, driven to your favourite backcountry hideaway... only to find it's been "staked" out with willows and fence posts! What is going on? Find out how YOU can help keep our rivers healthy, just by letting these areas recover.

Beyond a Shadow of a Drought...

Beyond a Shadow of a Drought...

Southern Alberta is no stranger to drought, but dry conditions mean we have to be extra careful when it comes to our activities. What's the deal with the fire bans? Why are anglers being asked to restrict their activities? Will Lethbridge face water usage limits? Read all about this and more!

Bioindicators: No Backbone Required

Bioindicators: No Backbone Required

Creepy crawlies in your lakes and rivers!!! What can they tell us about water quality? Are they dangerous? How can I learn more? Our Outreach Assistants answer these questions plus more in this blog, all about BMIs - the "backbone" of our aquatic ecosystems!

Swedish watershed wisdom

Swedish watershed wisdom

If you’re trying to change the world, it’s important to start local and talk to people! OWC has been working hard to reduce impacts in the headwaters; we’d like to share 3 of our lessons learned for where to begin. (Including some very helpful Swedish vocabulary!) This is a summary of the presentation given at the Speaker Series at Beauvais Lake Provincial Park....

What is With the Development in the Castle Parks?

What is With the Development in the Castle Parks?

There has been a lot of talk about the road paving to the Castle and the installation of water lines - along the lines of this development can't be good for the watershed. We are THRILLED that so many people are beginning to consider the impact of development! Here's the inside scoop, and the science to base your arguments on ...

Linear Features here, there, and everywhere!

Linear Features here, there, and everywhere!

You've asked: "What does it matter how many trails there are? What does it matter if the trail is made by motorized vehicles or, say, horses? What does it matter if an abandoned access road is used as a trail? How can anybody say the backcountry isn't healthy - after all, I just saw a moose back there!" OWC's Rob Taylor answers all ...

Hot Potato OHVs

Hot Potato OHVs

If there's one hot potato out there, it's the subject of motorized recreation in the backcountry. The debate is loud, raucous and not always respectful. Here's a guest blog from one of our readers with his opinion .... Agree? Disagree? Share your thoughts in the comments section ... 

We're Hiring! 2017 Seasonal Outreach Assistants

We're Hiring! 2017 Seasonal Outreach Assistants

Do you want to spend your summer in the backcountry, engaging in face-to-face conversations and boots-on-the-ground stewardship? Do you relish the challenge of communicating scientific information to diverse audiences? If you are looking to improve your outreach & communications skills, while making a difference in your watershed...

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

The OWC is a volunteer-driven, not-for-profit organization with lots of ways to get involved. 

Help fund our work.

Make a difference.

Knowledge is power.