The Beaver River
State of the Watershed (SOW)
Viewing the current state…
LICA is pleased to announce the release of a newly created State of the Watershed report!
Completed in partnership with Fiera Biological Consulting Ltd., this new addition was published in March 2025. As part of this assessment, 11 indicators encompassing 39 metrics were evaluated utilizing the Driver-Pressure-State-Impact-Response (DPSIR) framework as the primary conceptual model for assessing and reporting on the State of the Beaver River watershed.
An Indigenous Knowledge State indicator was also included to inform this assessment, providing a fulsome understanding of how people and cultures have been impacted by changes in the ecological and hydrologic condition of the watershed. The Indigenous Knowledge indicator includes reflections by Indigenous Peoples about the state of the watershed and includes knowledge, stories, perspectives, and experiences that help to create a more complete picture of the current state of the Beaver River watershed.
Purpose, Intent, Benefits
As a Watershed Planning Advisory Council, LICA’s role is to assess, report on, and share the State of the Beaver River watershed.
The SOW is determined by many natural factors, such as geology and climate, in addition to various pressures that are exerted due to human drivers. Notably, many of the issues that may be causing a decrease in watershed condition or health can be attributed to a single or common driver and/or pressure (Fiera Biological Consulting Ltd., 2024).
SOW reports help to form a clear understanding of the current state of the watershed and are a valuable and insightful exercise to identify potential problems and areas of concern. These watershed assessments form an understanding of the current condition, and how it got there. It is an important step in prioritizing areas for improving and protecting the watershed’s condition (Government of Alberta, 2008).
Additionally, as recommended in the Beaver River Integrated Watershed Management Plan, the report should be updated to reflect the current status of the watershed’s condition and consider new information collected to support the assessment.
Driver, Pressure, State, Impact, Response Framework
Indicators used in the assessment and reporting of the new Beaver River State of the Beaver River watershed report.
About the Beaver River Watershed
The Beaver River watershed is located in the boreal plain of east-central Alberta and west-central Saskatchewan, in Treaty 6, 8 and 10 territories and in the Métis homeland. The watershed covers an area of approximately 17,003 km2 and is comprised of six HUC 6 watersheds (ranging in size between 934 km2 and 5,178 km2) that contain 13 smaller HUC 8 watersheds. Ecologically, the Beaver River watershed contributes significantly to the biodiversity of the province, containing rare and unique land forms and wildlife habitat. Hydrologically, the Beaver River watershed is also distinctive, as it is the only watershed in Alberta that is part of the Churchill River system and does not receive any runoff from the Rocky Mountains (Fiera Biological Consulting Ltd., 2025).
A glance at the past…
The first State of the Beaver River Watershed Report was completed in 2013. This used watershed health indicators to assess how current and historical conditions across the Beaver River watershed match up against ideal conditions. To view the state in 2013, click below.
2013 State of the Watershed
Summary Report