Setting the stage for IWRM: the case of the upper Kiskatinaw River, British Columbia

Abstract

Integrated Water Resources Management has gained prominence in British Columbia due to growing concerns about drinking water quality and supply and risks from cumulative land-use and climate change. Experiences are examined in the upper Kiskatinaw River of the Peace River basin and the source watershed for the city of Dawson Creek. Though there is no formal decision-making capacity, efforts led by the city have focused on balancing intensive resource industry development activity with its stewardship objectives despite not having a formal role in watershed governance. Through investments in planning, characterization and monitoring, the city is well positioned now to further achieve facilitating interest-based solutions.

Keywords:

• Integrated Water Resource Management
• source water protection
• hydroscapes
• land-use planning
• watershed stewardship

Notes

1. BC Hydro’s Site C Clean Energy Project has long been proposed as a third dam and hydroelectric generating station on the Peace River in north-east BC. It is now in its second year of construction. It was referred by the BC government in July 2017 to an independent review by the BC Utilities Commission. If completed, it would provide 1100 MW of capacity, and produce about 5100 GWh of electricity each year. Liquefied natural gas projects were a strategic economic development initiative of the former BC government, and following on recent investment decisions of some proponents to withdraw, these projects remain questionable as to market viability and environmental appropriateness for climate change adaptation.