Click here to view a fact sheet outlining the Watershed Management Planning Process for the Battle River and Sounding Creek watersheds.

Water and watershed management is an ongoing process. The watershed management planning process for the Battle River watershed consists of two phases.

Phase 1

As the ministry charged with water management, Alberta Environment initiated phase I of a Watershed Management Planning process for the Battle River in 2004.

Phase I involves the development of a Water Management Plan for the Battle River watershed, and is lead by Alberta Environment. The plan will focus on water quantity in the Battle River watershed, looking specifically at surface water licensing, allocations and transfers in the Battle River watershed. It will also set water conservation objectives for the watershed i.e. the amount of water necessary for the maintenance of the health of the aquatic ecosystem. It is anticipated that Phase 1 will be completed in 2012. See the terms of reference for the Battle River Water Management Plan - Phase 1.

The resulting draft Water Management Plan and recommendations will be submitted to the Director appointed under the Water Act. Responsibility for final approval of the water management plan rests with the Minister of Environment (and possibly Cabinet if an “Approved” plan).

Phase 2

Phase II involves the development of a Watershed Management Plan for both the Battle River and Sounding Creek watersheds. This phase is lead by the BRWA and looks more broadly at source water protection in a manner that integrates land cover, land use, water quality, wetlands, riparian areas, protected areas, biodiversity, socio-economic factors, and more!

Collaboration with stakeholders and the general public will be key during phase 2 of the planning process. Watershed residents will be invited to share their perspectives on watershed issues and potential solutions and comment on draft watershed management options for the Battle River and Sounding Creek watersheds.

The BRWA is currently developing the draft Terms of Reference for Phase 2. We travelled across the watershed during November 2011 to host community workshops on the topic of issues and opportunities facing our watersheds. Thanks to all who attended!

If you were unable to attend any of the workshops, we'd still love to hear from you!

You can become involved in the watershed management planning process in a number of ways:

• Learn more. If you or your organization/group would like to have us come talk to you about the work of the BRWA and the current state of our watershed, let us know. Give our office a call (780.672.0276) or email BRWA Watershed Planning Coordinator, Sarah Skinner, at sarah@battleriverwatershed.ca.
• Share your perspective. Visit our online survey here to share your ideas on the issues and opportunities facing our watersheds.
• Receive our newsletter. Contact us to let us know if you'd like to receive an email or paper copy of our quarterly newsletter.