Integrated Watershed Management Plan (IWMP)

Secure, reliable water supplies are available for desired uses (i.e., environmental, First Nations and Métis, municipal, agricultural, industrial, and recreational).

1. Review and determine the status of existing Water Conservation Objectives in the original Cold Lake Beaver River Water Management Plan (Alberta Environment 2006a).
2. Review the need to establish Water Conservation Objectives for streams and lakes outside of the original CLBR WMP planning area.
3. Recommend strategies to address fluctuating water levels at priority lakes5 where human impacts contribute to flooding or low water levels in the watershed.
4. Recommend strategies that encourage water conservation.
5. Understand the status of current surface water and groundwater initiatives and recommend strategies to better manage the resource.

Surface water and groundwater quality that is protected from external sources of contamination, and is maintained within the range of natural variability.

1. Establish Water Quality Objectives that are compatible with the Surface Water Quality Management Framework for watercourses having sufficient data available.
2. Establish Water Quality Objectives for major recreational lakes.
3. dentify stormwater management targets and Low Impact Development strategies to minimize development impacts on water quality (and quantity).
4. Identify appropriate land use, management, and stewardship strategies to maintain and/or improve water quality.

Healthy riparian areas and wetlands contribute to watershed resiliency with respect to flood and drought, quality water, and critical habitat.

1. Establish riparian setbacks and management objectives/targets that can be applied consistently throughout the watershed.
2. Recommend actions that contribute to healthy riparian areas and wetlands.

Fish, wildlife, and plants are healthy and resilient to changing environmental conditions. Their ecological, social, and cultural roles in the watershed are sustained.

1. Identify appropriate land use targets and thresholds to better understand and track cumulative impacts on aquatic and terrestrial habitat.
2. Recommend best management practices and actions that improve wildlife habitat, health, and biodiversity.
3. Recommend appropriate actions to address the risks associated with invasive species.

Cumulative effects of diverse land uses are reduced or mitigated to maintain and/or improve ecosystem health.

1. Recommend appropriate water and land management practices that mitigate impacts of industry and development (i.e., urban, recreation, agriculture, oil and gas, forestry, and sand and gravel extraction), and maintain and/or improve ecosystem health.

Climate change considerations are central to all watershed-related planning and decision- making processes.

1. Recommend climate actions and climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies related to watershed management for consideration by decision-makers, resource managers and residents.

Indigenous Knowledge and scientific research guide decision-making.

1. Assess and prioritize knowledge gaps in the Beaver River watershed.
2. Recommend outreach materials and other tools to disseminate Indigenous Knowledge and scientific research related to watershed health.