The Oldman Watershed Council (OWC) was formed in September 2004, when the Oldman River Basin Water Quality Initiative (ORBWQI) merged with the Oldman Basin Advisory Council (BAC).

When the Province's Water for Life strategy was released, these two groups combined to provide a diverse partnership knowledgeable in all areas of watershed management, including sustainable water management and land use practices in the Oldman Basin.

Today, the Council provides leadership and guidance in watershed planning and management, monitoring water quality and promoting stewardship. The OWC has not only carried on the work of the ORBWQI and the BAC, but also acts as the Oldman Watershed Planning and Advisory Council as part of the Water for Life Strategy.

Oldman Watershed Council Milestones

A brief history of the OWC from its formation as the Oldman River Basin Water Quality Initiative to the present Oldman Watershed Council.


1991	The Province began to review its water management policy and legislation with the intent of updating old legislation to make sure Alberta’s water is managed and conserved for today and for the future.

1997	The Oldman River Basin Water Quality Initiative (Initiative) was formed in response to concerns expressed in the community about protecting water quality in the Oldman River Basin.

1997 - 2001	Efforts focused on collecting data (water quality and land use), interpreting and analyzing it (exploring land use and water quality relationships at a Basin scale), and pursuing work on beneficial management practices.

1998 - 2002	The Initiative’s Action Plan emphasized the importance of three types of activities to be carried out during that five year period: Collecting baseline information on water quality and how to improve it; Classifying land use, and; Communicating the activities of the Initiative.

1999	Alberta Environment initiated a Water Management Planning Process that looked at water demand and supply and the aquatic environment throughout the South Saskatchewan River Basin (SSRB).

2001	Support was expressed for continuing the Initiative for another five years at the Stakeholder meeting held with initiative partners. The Initiative was recognized with the Special Emerald Award, presented by the Alberta Emerald Foundation for Environmental Excellence. The award recognized the initiative’s progress in involving a range of stakeholders to address water quality concerns.

2003	A five year Strategic Overview (2003-2008) was initiated. The emphasis of the initiative during the next five years would shift toward understanding Best Management Practices (BMPs) and encouraging practice change. Equal priority was to be given to rural areas and to urban areas across the Basin. A mission was created. Mission: To improve surface water quality in the Oldman River Basin through partnerships and the implementation of sustainable land use and water management practices. The Council identified the following three goals: To reduce contaminants, such as microbes, nutrients and pesticides, entering surface water and groundwater in the Oldman River Basin. To increase awareness among residents and stakeholders in the Oldman River Basin, and to encourage commitment and responsibility for water quality. To refine and expand knowledge of water-related conditions and processed throughout the Oldman River Basin.

2004	A waterwise garden project was initiated at Wilson Middle School. A survey created by the Urban Team went out to residents. The survey was sent to over 2000 households to determine yard care practices, knowledge of stormwater, and understanding of water quality in the City of Lethbridge. The Oldman River Basin Water Quality Initiative merged with the Oldman River Basin Advisory Committee (BAC) to become the Oldman Watershed Council. The OWC will carry on the work of the Initiative and the BAC and also act as the Oldman Watershed Planning and Advisory (WPAC) as defined by the Alberta government’s Water for Life Strategy. The Council will deal with water quality, effects of land use on the watershed and aquatic ecosystem, water conservation, research and beneficial management practices, water management planning priorities, state of the basin reporting and surface and groundwater vulnerability. A new mission was created: Mission: The OWC seeks to maintain and improve the Oldman River Watershed through partnerships, knowledge and the implementation and integration of sustainable water management and land use practices.

2005	The State of the Watershed Team was created to organize the State of the Watershed Report. Preparations for the report began.

2006	Five new goals were created to reflect the intent of the OWC: The Oldman Watershed Council will integrate its activities through knowledge, research, partnerships and education as they relate to water management, water quality, and land use practices in the following key areas: We understand our watershed. Residents are well informed and actively engaged. Basin stakeholders have defined the desired outcomes for the Oldman Watershed that will form the basis for the Integrated Watershed Management Plan (IWMP). The Oldman Watershed Council and stakeholders put into action the capacity and commitment to achieve defined outcomes. Practices that are beneficial to the health and function of the Watershed are adopted.

2007	In January, the OWC Rural Team hosted the first annual rural workshop titled “Holding the Reins” in Fort Macleod. Land use in the basin was the highlight for this forum. Interpretive signs were created in partnership with the City of Lethbridge for the sustainable community of SunRidge.

2008	The OWC celebrated its 5 year anniversary as a Watershed Planning and Advisory Council. The OWC Watershed Science Team hosted the first annual Science Forum on October 28^th at the University of Lethbridge. The forum highlighted research throughout the Oldman Watershed. The OWC hosted a tour to Ovando, Montana to meet with the Blackfoot Challenge, tour their projects, learn from their experiences, and discover how they worked together to achieve the common goal of a healthy viable watershed.

2009	The Watershed Legacy Program was announced. The program aims to provide the tools necessary for watershed stewardship groups and landowner cooperatives to take the next steps towards sustainable management of the watershed. In May the OWC Urban Team through their Prairie Urban Garden (PUG) subcommittee held their first self guided tour of xeriscaped yards throughout the City of Lethbridge. The OWC Rural Team held its first annual Watershed Tour in September. The tour covered watershed projects in the Lower Little Bow River, Pincher Creek, Drywood/Yarrow Creeks, and the Cardston area.

2010	The Visioning for the Integrated Watershed Management Plan was completed in February. This was the first phase of the Integrated Watershed Management Plan which focused on the social aspects of watershed management. The State of the Watershed (SOW) Report was released at the AGM on April 22, 2010.