Water is fundamental to community sustainability and growth, and the way water is managed in the South Saskatchewan River Basin (SSRB) will and has become even more important in the face growing demand combined with climatic and environmental change. A project that launched in spring 2014 capitalized on the interest and experience of seasoned water stakeholders. Individuals actively collaborated to develop and test various analytical tools for the Red Deer River basin. The results of this work were integrated to complete the suite of such tools for the entire South Saskatchewan River Basin (SSRB) and build on the experience and findings of previous similar activities in the Bow, Oldman and South Saskatchewan River sub-basins. Concurrently, the project explored and implemented approaches to introduce physically-based land use modelling to better describe future climatic and environmental change in the SSRB and how those changes might affect water resources and water users.
In Spring 2013, Alberta Innovates – Energy and Environment Solutions awarded funding to Alberta WaterSMART for the Climate Vulnerability and Sustainable Water Management in the SSRB Project. This project built on two preceding collaborative initiatives:
This initiative built upon and integrated existing data, tools, capacity and knowledge of water users and decision makers to improve understanding and explore how to manage for the range of potential impacts of climatic and environmental change throughout the SSRB’s river systems. This innovative work brought together inter-related water issues, to help stakeholders better understand the range of potential impacts and changes throughout the SSRB and identify adaptation options that can be readily implemented to best assure that these resources continue to meet Albertans’ environmental, social and economic needs.
The first stream of activity built a comprehensive mass balance river system model for the Red Deer River basin, and developed climate variability scenarios for use in the model. Water users, decision makers and interested parties in the Red Deer basin guided and informed the model-based work, incorporating an environmental and climate adaptation focus. The group used the river system model to collaboratively model options such as management practices or infrastructure options for adapting to potential future changes in climate.
In the second stream, the river system models and performance measures for the Red Deer, Bow, Oldman, and South Saskatchewan River basins were integrated and updated into a consolidated SSRB model. This consolidated model was used by representatives from all the sub-basins to identify and explore options for improved river management and adaptation throughout the entire SSRB. Using the integrated river system model, climate scenarios, and available data from physically-based land use models, this working group collaboratively modelled options for adapting to potential future environmental and climatic changes.
The third stream explored a range of land use models that are capable of modelling changes in land use and climate, and translating those changes into impacts on river flows. That data was then used in the river system modelling to explore and implement approaches to adapt to changes that future climatic and environmental change could have on water users in the SSRB. This work included a pilot of appropriate land use models to see how they can be integrated with the river system model to help inform collaborative and integrated river management.
Growth in southern Alberta in the face of fluctuating water supply underscores the need for adaptive management of this crucial resource. The global effort to mitigate climate change must be paralleled with an equal local effort on adaptation in Alberta to reduce the risks to water resources that will come as a result of climate change. An adaptive management approach aims to develop resilient and adaptive capacity to respond to a wide range of different situations by exploring what we can do with today’s infrastructure and management and then look at what else could be done now and into the future. It also aims to raise social awareness of potential flood and drought risks in support of efforts to get appropriate water management arrangements in place now.
The result of this project is a final report putting forward the Adaptation Roadmap for Sustainable Water Management in the SSRB including adaptation strategies already being implemented and three levels of adaptation strategies to further build the adaptive capacity of water management in the SSRB. This project was about involving people who have specific knowledge and responsibilities for water management and a keen interest in water stewardship, a strong understanding of climate, and a willingness to develop and maintain collaborative management approaches in the SSRB. It significantly advanced the shared understanding of potential environmental and climatic change in the SSRB and explored implementable opportunities to adapt while balancing the diverse interests of the watershed.
SSRB Project – Red Deer River Basin Modelling (Part 1 of 2)
SSRB Project – Red Deer River Basin Modelling (Part 2 of 2)
SSRB Project Red Deer River Modelling – Team Message
SSRB Water Project Final Report – Adaptation Roadmap for Sustainable Water Management in the SSRB January 2016 (Part 1 of 2)
SSRB Water Project Final Report – Adaptation Roadmap for Sustainable Water Management in the SSRB January 2016 (Part 2 of 2)
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Ross has extensive executive experience in Operations, Governance, Information Technology and Strategy at the board and senior management level including Mancal Corporation, Mancal Energy, Highridge Exploration and Atlantis Resources. He has worked in Oil and Gas, Coal, Commercial Real Estate, Portfolio Management, Recreation, Retail and Water and Wastewater Treatment. His experience is also geographically diverse having overseen operations in Canada, the United States, United Kingdom and Northern Ireland. Additionally, he has been on the board of companies with operations in Argentina, Azerbaijan, Barbados, Kazakhstan, and Russia. He has served on numerous Public, Private and Not for Profit Boards across a number of industries.
Ross has been active on several industry Boards and committees including the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers (CAPP) and The Schulich School of Engineering Industry Advisory Council at the Schulich School of Engineering.
Brian is a seasoned Cleantech entrepreneur with a proven history of successfully bringing complex water technologies to the market. With over 25 years of experience, he has led various organizations to achieve significant milestones in the industry.
Having started as the founding CEO of the Pressure Pipe Inspection Company (PPIC) and later taking the helm at the Water Technology Acceleration Project (WaterTAP), Brian’s entrepreneurial spirit has been instrumental in driving innovation and growth within the sector.
He is an active investor in the cleantech sector and has served on many boards including the Ontario Clean Water Agency.
Actively engaged in industry associations like AWWA, WEF, IWA, and ASCE, Brian enjoys collaborating with fellow professionals to promote advancements in the field.
Brian holds an undergraduate degree and a PhD in Physics from Queen’s University, which has provided him with a solid technical foundation. As a member of the Institute of Corporate Directors, he brings valuable insights to corporate governance.