aerial photo of a road beside a large river in the foothills

Water and Fish Program

Improving the sustainable management of Alberta’s watersheds through watershed assessments, better modeling, and hydrological research.

The relaunched Water and Fish Program is developing a suite of projects ranging from applied research on fish ecology, watershed-level experiments, better hydrological modeling, and development of next-generation GIS tools and datasets.

infographic showing the current focus of the water and fish program

In 2011, the Fish and Watersheds Program refocused on hydrology and became the Water Program. In 2021, it was relaunched as the Water and Fish Program to help address fish species of special concern.

Program Lead
Dr. Barry White
Contact
Watershed Resiliency and Restoration Program: East Slopes Riparian Assessment
This project will collect data and develop a tool to prioritize restoration in forested riparian areas for the Government of Alberta's WRRP.
Combining Field and LiDAR Modeling Tools to Move Beyond Indicator Based Approaches for Surface Erosion: Simonette as a Test Area for the Foothills Natural Region
This project on riparian mapping aims to improve management and operational efficiency by capitalizing on the high quality remote sensing data available in Alberta.
Longterm Implications of Mountain Pine Beetle Rehabilitation Strategies on Alberta Forest Values
This project explores the 20 to 50-year implications of MPB rehabilitation on timber and non-timber values.
Review of the State of Riparian Knowledge and Tools
This project will give an overview of what we know about managing riparian areas in Alberta and identify knowledge gaps.
Exploring the Use of Geomorphic Road Analysis and Inventory Package (GRAIP) in Southwest Alberta
GRAIP can predict which road segments and drainage features lead to greater risks of landslides, stream crossing plugging and reduced hydrologic connectivity.
Watershed Assessment Procedure to address cumulative effects in the foothills natural region
This project transfers the eastern slopes watershed assessment procedure to the foothills.
Modelling the Impact of Forest Harvesting on the Flow Regime: Extending Experimental Data for Forest Planning Indicators in the Eastern Slopes
The project will apply a hydrological model to the Star Creek watershed in order to evaluate the effect of harvesting on key watershed processes and flood risks.
Understanding the impact of culverts on fish communities and optimization tools for mitigation efforts
This project investigates whether bridges and culverts affect stream connectivity and fish communities.
Watershed Assessment Procedure to address cumulative effects in the eastern slopes natural region
This project will develop a tool for assessing how watersheds in the eastern slopes are affected by disturbance.
Data Management and Innovative Support for Long-term Watershed Research: The Walt Jeffrey Project
Named in honor of the "father of forest hydrology in Western Canada," this project seeks to capture the value of long-term research and data sets.
Towards Integrated Source Water Management in Alberta
This project is part of the Southern Rockies Watershed Project aimed at understanding headwater processes and the hydrologic response to fire and forestry.
Southern Rockies Hydrological Modelling
This project focuses on calibrating a hydrological model, called Raven, for forest planning.
Introduction to the Canadian Aquatic Biomonitoring Network
Summaries and Communications | Presentation Slides
Presentations from the Online Workshop
Effects of Prescribed Burn on Nutrient and Dissolved Organic Matter Characteristics in Peatland Shallow Groundwater
Scientific Publications | Peer Reviewed Papers
Paper from the Water Program
Road Erosion in the Simonette Part 1: Road Surfaces
QuickNotes | Summaries and Communications
2-page briefing note from the Water Program
Road Erosion in the Simonette Part 2: Gully Erosion
QuickNotes | Summaries and Communications
2-page briefing note from the Water Program
Road Erosion in the Simonette Part 3: Diverting Sediment from Streams
QuickNotes | Summaries and Communications
2-page briefing note from the Water Program
Road Erosion in the Simonette Part 4: Instream Consequences and Road Crossings
QuickNotes | Summaries and Communications
2-page briefing note from the Water Program
Southern Alberta Silviculture Adaptation Project: Results from 2018 & 2019
QuickNotes | Summaries and Communications
2-page briefing note from the Water Program
watercolour of a stream in a forest
Announcement
We are looking for Water and Fish Program Lead!
Barrier lake research station photo credit ashley meek
Blog
The workshop took place Feb 1–3 at the University of Calgary's Barrier Lake Research Station.
Water and Fish Program Research Priorities Workshop
Event
A forum to discuss, debate, and define the future research direction of the Water and Fish Program. May 10, 8:30 to 4:00.
Muddy Waters
Blog
Sand and silt are eroding off roads into Alberta's streams, harming fish and water quality. Until now, finding and fixing those problem sites among the vast network of roads has been daunting.
Meet Erin Humeny: Professional Biologist with over a Decade of Environmental Science Experience
Blog
Professional biologist with over a decade of environmental science experience.
Three Years of Riparian Assessments
Blog
Blog post by Caitlin Tomaszewski for the Water Program.
Water Program Hiring a Summer Field Assistant
Announcement
Closing date: June 30.
people in a conference room sitting at desks, talking
Blog
75 stakeholders came out to share their knowledge and identify needed future research.