The Bow River is our lifeline – supplying water for our municipal, industrial, agricultural and recreational needs. As our needs increase, pressures on the river intensify.

Recognizing that a healthy ecosystem is paramount, the Bow River Basin Council (BRBC) champions a cooperative and collaborative approach to conserving, protecting and improving the waters of the Bow River Basin. Our activities therefore encompass the social, cultural, economic and environmental aspects of:

•        riparian zones
•        aquatic ecosystems
•        the quality and quantity of groundwater and surface water, and
•        the effects of human activity and land use on water resources.

WHO WE ARE

The BRBC’s origins are rooted in the work of a provincial Task Force dating back to the mid-1980s. In 1991, a Task Force Report included a recommendation to create a “watershed awareness” body that reported directly to the Minister of Environment. Thus, the first Bow River Water Quality Council (BRBWC) was created.

In 2000, the BRBWC formally amalgamated with a separate independent charity and moved to “arms-length” from government. This newest incarnation is the Bow River Basin Council (BRBC) and, in 2004, was designated as the Watershed Planning and Advisory Council (WPAC) for the Bow River Basin in Alberta’s Water for Life Strategy.

Today, the BRBC continues in its capacity as a WPAC, and includes membership from urban and rural municipalities; irrigation, agricultural, commercial and industrial companies; educational, recreational and ecological interests; Indigenous peoples; provincial and federal governments; and the general public.

We are dedicated to encouraging meaningful dialogue and mutual understanding, and we work hard to provide unique opportunities and services that lead to tangible impacts. Our focus areas include:

•        Implementing the Bow Basin Watershed Management Plan
•        Influencing watershed monitoring, evaluation, reporting and research
•        Funding watershed stewardship projects
•        Hosting educational and networking forums
•        Preparing and distributing quarterly newsletters and weekly bulletins
•        Maintaining standing committees:
  •    Stakeholder Engagement
  •    Legislation and Policy
  •    Young Professionals
  •    Watershed Stewardship
  •    Science

OUR MISSION

Collaboratively works to nurture, share, and protect the waters of the Bow River Basin. Together, through science and inclusion, we promote new solutions and strategies for a healthy watershed.

VISION

Welcoming diverse perspectives, stewardship, integrated watershed planning, and education to lead the way in promoting science and conservation management for the future of the Bow River Basin.

OUR PURPOSE

In the Bow River Basin, the BRBC will:

•       Maintain a forum for all Council members to share perspectives and exchange information.
•       Prioritize water and watershed management issues in the basin that may affect the quality and/or quantity of groundwater, surface water or riparian zones.
•       Participate in water and watershed management and planning activities.
•       Develop and recommend improved water and watershed management procedures and performance measures.
•       Encourage the implementation of cooperative water and watershed management strategies.
•       Participate in activities that promote and demonstrate increased awareness of water and watershed management issues to its members, the governments of Alberta and Canada, and the public.
•       Conduct and direct fundraising for the BRBC.
•       Obtain and use assets and funds entrusted to the BRBC for benevolent, cultural, ecological, educational, planning and/or recreational purposes, for the improvement and protection of the Bow River Basin (e.g., the South Saskatchewan River Basin Water Management Plan 10 Year Review, 2018)

OUR BUSINESS PLAN

Click this link for the BRBC Business Plan

BRBC – BUILDING VITAL CONNECTIONS

A river begins as a trickle and becomes stronger with every added drop of water.

Nourished by volunteers, donors and staff members, our list of accomplishments continues to grow.  Membership in the BRBC steadily increases each year with more and more individuals, municipalities and corporations seeing value in the work we are doing.

Award winning accomplishments through collaboration

We undertake projects that will make a lasting contribution to improved water quality and watershed health and we have a proud record of fostering collaboration and finding creative solutions. We take pride in our collaborative, non-confrontational approach to issue identification and solutions. The BRBC is living proof that a wide variety of stakeholders with varying views and opinions can, and do, work together for a common good.

Just a few of the BRBC’s accomplishments:

•        Okotoks Bioretention Project (A collaborative among BRBC, Source2Source, Government of Alberta, Environment Canada, U of C & Town of Okotoks)
•        Federation of Canadian Municipalities Sustainable Community Award 2018
•        Alberta Emerald Award Winner 2012
•        Grassroots Environmental Stewardship Award from the Alberta Stewardship Network
•        Calgary Award 2009 in recognition of the Bow Basin Watershed Management Plan
•        Bow Basin Watershed Management Plan 2012 (BBWMP)
•        Interactive Environmental Condition Report
•        South Saskatchewan River Basin (SSRB) Water Management Plan 10 Year Review (2018)

You can be an important part of the solution! Consider becoming a member or making a gift to the BRBC so we can continue our good work.

The expertise and time that you provide by becoming a member will add real value to the work we perform. Membership is free, but we do have the expectation that our members will voluntarily and willingly contribute time, money or some combination of both to support us in our important work. You can apply to become a member by filling out our online form.

It’s easy to donate! Simply write us a cheque, contact us at (403) 268-6447 with your credit card information, or donate online.

By supporting the BRBC, you will help conserve, protect and improve the waters of the Bow River Basin for generations to come.