Managing Water in Canada
Where does water come from? | What do we do with it? | How do we do that? | And why? | Who's involved? | In what way?
These are all fine questions to ask, and you can find the answers below!
Water is managed in many ways, and each of these have different benefits and downfalls. This photo essay will explore these in detail.
These are all fine questions to ask, and you can find the answers below!
Water is managed in many ways, and each of these have different benefits and downfalls. This photo essay will explore these in detail.
The des Poilus Glacier, Yoho National Park, British Columbia.
The story of water management begins at the source: the headwaters of our rivers. In many cases, the water comes from runoff and snow melt, but the cryosphere (the layer of ice on Earth's surface) plays a role when glaciers melt. All of these sources provide water which flows downstream, nourishing ecosystems and making itself available for human use and consumption. The des Poilus Glacier above is melting very rapidly, and is the headwaters of Twin Falls Creek, which flows into the Yoho River, then the Kicking Horse River to the mighty Columbia River and on to the ocean near Portland, Oregon.
The story of water management begins at the source: the headwaters of our rivers. In many cases, the water comes from runoff and snow melt, but the cryosphere (the layer of ice on Earth's surface) plays a role when glaciers melt. All of these sources provide water which flows downstream, nourishing ecosystems and making itself available for human use and consumption. The des Poilus Glacier above is melting very rapidly, and is the headwaters of Twin Falls Creek, which flows into the Yoho River, then the Kicking Horse River to the mighty Columbia River and on to the ocean near Portland, Oregon.
The Fraser Canyon at Hell's Gate, British Columbia.
Along the way to the coast, our water resources pass by a huge variety of terrain. Some is used for irrigation, some consumed in the home. Other water is used in manufacturing and much is involved in hydroelectric electricity generation. Rough terrain like that above at Hell's Gate provides great opportunity for recreation including fishing and whitewater rafting, as well as the construction of dams. Hell's Gate is famous for the huge salmon runs on the Fraser River, as the salmon move upstream to spawn.
Along the way to the coast, our water resources pass by a huge variety of terrain. Some is used for irrigation, some consumed in the home. Other water is used in manufacturing and much is involved in hydroelectric electricity generation. Rough terrain like that above at Hell's Gate provides great opportunity for recreation including fishing and whitewater rafting, as well as the construction of dams. Hell's Gate is famous for the huge salmon runs on the Fraser River, as the salmon move upstream to spawn.
BC Hydro's Revelstoke Dam, Revelstoke, British Columbia.
The Revelstoke Dam is one of many hydroelectric generation plants along the Columbia River, and is operated by BC Hydro, a Crown Corporation owned by the Government of British Columbia. It was built in accordance with the Columbia River Treaty, which was signed between Canada and the United States in order to provide downstream flood mitigation and hydroelectric generation capacity. The dam creates a huge reservoir behind it, and like all dams, it obstructs natural fish movement.
The Columbia River Treaty is open for renewal and revision at the moment, and both Canada and the United States are looking over their options. As of 2014, either country can give ten years notice to end the Treaty, however this is unlikely to happen any time soon. Right now, the main issues surrounding the Treaty are its lack of environmental stipulations and the lack of First Nations' involvement in both countries.
The Revelstoke Dam is one of many hydroelectric generation plants along the Columbia River, and is operated by BC Hydro, a Crown Corporation owned by the Government of British Columbia. It was built in accordance with the Columbia River Treaty, which was signed between Canada and the United States in order to provide downstream flood mitigation and hydroelectric generation capacity. The dam creates a huge reservoir behind it, and like all dams, it obstructs natural fish movement.
The Columbia River Treaty is open for renewal and revision at the moment, and both Canada and the United States are looking over their options. As of 2014, either country can give ten years notice to end the Treaty, however this is unlikely to happen any time soon. Right now, the main issues surrounding the Treaty are its lack of environmental stipulations and the lack of First Nations' involvement in both countries.
A reservoir near Canmore, Alberta.
Reservoirs come in a variety of sizes, and the ones surrounding Canmore are relatively small when compared to those in British Columbia. The dams around Calgary were mostly constructed to provide drinking water and electricity to nearby communities, with the exception being the Bearspaw Dam, which was built to prevent ice flows from backing up the Bow River and flooding what was then the town of Bowness. Today, most hydroelectric dams in Alberta are operated by TransAlta, a private utilities company based in Calgary.
Reservoirs come in a variety of sizes, and the ones surrounding Canmore are relatively small when compared to those in British Columbia. The dams around Calgary were mostly constructed to provide drinking water and electricity to nearby communities, with the exception being the Bearspaw Dam, which was built to prevent ice flows from backing up the Bow River and flooding what was then the town of Bowness. Today, most hydroelectric dams in Alberta are operated by TransAlta, a private utilities company based in Calgary.
The spillway at Lower Kananaskis Lake, Alberta.
The Columbia River Treaty was based mostly on flood control, and as a result, many dams are kept at low levels so they can store excess water to prevent damage downstream. While not a part of the Treaty, the Kananaskis Lakes in Alberta are also kept at low levels, so as to prevent damage such as that which occurred in Calgary in 2013. Here, the spillway can be clearly seen at the Lower Lake, and the reservoir could hold much of the excess floodwater that the mountains of Kananaskis could create.
The Columbia River Treaty was based mostly on flood control, and as a result, many dams are kept at low levels so they can store excess water to prevent damage downstream. While not a part of the Treaty, the Kananaskis Lakes in Alberta are also kept at low levels, so as to prevent damage such as that which occurred in Calgary in 2013. Here, the spillway can be clearly seen at the Lower Lake, and the reservoir could hold much of the excess floodwater that the mountains of Kananaskis could create.
The Powerhouse at Upper Kananaskis Lake, Alberta.
Again, this powerhouse is not part of the Columbia River Treaty, but dams everywhere are synonymous with electrical generation. When compared to the next picture, the Upper Kananaskis powerhouse is quite small, but it still generates 93 500 megawatt hours per year.
The Kananaskis Dams were built by Calgary Power in the 1950's.
Again, this powerhouse is not part of the Columbia River Treaty, but dams everywhere are synonymous with electrical generation. When compared to the next picture, the Upper Kananaskis powerhouse is quite small, but it still generates 93 500 megawatt hours per year.
The Kananaskis Dams were built by Calgary Power in the 1950's.
The hydroelectric generators at the Revelstoke Dam, Revelstoke, British Columbia.
The Revelstoke Dam is big in all aspects, from its construction to its electrical generation capacity. Here, the powerhouse can be seen from within the dam, and the entire volume of the Columbia River flows through these turbines. The Revelstoke Dam is primarily used for hydroelectricity, with most flood control in Canada occurring at the Arrow Lakes of inland British Columbia. Canada is required by the Treaty to provide flood control for downstream areas, despite the fact that 85% of the Columbia River Basin is located in the United States. The benefits Canada receives are more complicated, however the United States were required to pay for much of the initial construction of the dams.
The Revelstoke Dam is big in all aspects, from its construction to its electrical generation capacity. Here, the powerhouse can be seen from within the dam, and the entire volume of the Columbia River flows through these turbines. The Revelstoke Dam is primarily used for hydroelectricity, with most flood control in Canada occurring at the Arrow Lakes of inland British Columbia. Canada is required by the Treaty to provide flood control for downstream areas, despite the fact that 85% of the Columbia River Basin is located in the United States. The benefits Canada receives are more complicated, however the United States were required to pay for much of the initial construction of the dams.
These generators aren't small, and the electricity produced in immense.
While old, this sign still rings true when it comes to hydro. This is the amount of electricity produced by the dams near Canmore. The capacity of larger dams is even more immense!
While old, this sign still rings true when it comes to hydro. This is the amount of electricity produced by the dams near Canmore. The capacity of larger dams is even more immense!
The Calgary Tower and the Palliser Hotel, Calgary, Alberta.
The Palliser Hotel in Calgary predates most of our dams, but it still depends on electricity to keep its guests happy. Most of the electricity Calgary uses comes from coal generation, which has many detrimental environmental effects. Alberta has developed most of its hydroelectric potential, and as such we will have to look towards other sources of renewable energy in the future (such as wind or geothermal).
The Palliser Hotel in Calgary predates most of our dams, but it still depends on electricity to keep its guests happy. Most of the electricity Calgary uses comes from coal generation, which has many detrimental environmental effects. Alberta has developed most of its hydroelectric potential, and as such we will have to look towards other sources of renewable energy in the future (such as wind or geothermal).
The lights of Calgary, Alberta depend on electricity to keep things moving.
If you think Calgary has a low energy consumption, think again. The many lights and other uses of electricity keep Alberta's power grid working hard. In British Columbia, where the Columbia River Treaty is in effect, much of the electricity produced is transmitted via huge transmission lines to Vancouver and the surrounding areas.
If you think Calgary has a low energy consumption, think again. The many lights and other uses of electricity keep Alberta's power grid working hard. In British Columbia, where the Columbia River Treaty is in effect, much of the electricity produced is transmitted via huge transmission lines to Vancouver and the surrounding areas.
A modern irrigation canal adjacent to the historic Brooks Aqueduct near Brooks, Alberta.
One of the first challenges settlers in Alberta faced upon arrival was the lack of accessible water on the prairies. This was solved with elaborate irrigation systems, including canals and aqueducts, modeled after those built by the Romans. These were fed by the rivers, which were dammed to fill the canals. Particularly in the United States, the Columbia River Treaty addresses agricultural irrigation, and many Treaty dams were built with this purpose specifically in mind. Irrigation isn't really a concern in British Columbia, which harbours very little agriculture.
One of the first challenges settlers in Alberta faced upon arrival was the lack of accessible water on the prairies. This was solved with elaborate irrigation systems, including canals and aqueducts, modeled after those built by the Romans. These were fed by the rivers, which were dammed to fill the canals. Particularly in the United States, the Columbia River Treaty addresses agricultural irrigation, and many Treaty dams were built with this purpose specifically in mind. Irrigation isn't really a concern in British Columbia, which harbours very little agriculture.
Flood management is paramount in developed areas, such as Allan Bill in Kananaskis Country, Alberta.
The Columbia River Treaty was initially developed to address flooding concerns after the Columbia River flood of 1948. This flood caused immense damage and took lives because of the volume of water that flowed downstream. The Treaty addressed this by constructing dams which could be kept at low levels during times of year when flooding was likely. The dams could then store the excess water in their reservoirs, and generate electricity at the same time. In Alberta, similar flood management has been implemented following the flood of 2013 in Southern Alberta. Many dams are now kept at lower levels, and new dry dams are in the planning and development stage. One such project is widely controversial, and is planned for the Springbank area near Calgary. It would consist of a dam with an empty reservoir to catch flood waters when the Elbow River exceeds a certain flow.
The Columbia River Treaty was initially developed to address flooding concerns after the Columbia River flood of 1948. This flood caused immense damage and took lives because of the volume of water that flowed downstream. The Treaty addressed this by constructing dams which could be kept at low levels during times of year when flooding was likely. The dams could then store the excess water in their reservoirs, and generate electricity at the same time. In Alberta, similar flood management has been implemented following the flood of 2013 in Southern Alberta. Many dams are now kept at lower levels, and new dry dams are in the planning and development stage. One such project is widely controversial, and is planned for the Springbank area near Calgary. It would consist of a dam with an empty reservoir to catch flood waters when the Elbow River exceeds a certain flow.
The Calgary flood of 2013 caused widespread devastation.
Evidence of the 2013 flood is still present throughout Southern Alberta. Flood mitigation techniques being implemented now will prevent or at least limit future damage that could be caused by water on its way downstream.
Evidence of the 2013 flood is still present throughout Southern Alberta. Flood mitigation techniques being implemented now will prevent or at least limit future damage that could be caused by water on its way downstream.
The Barkley Sound at Bamfield, British Columbia.
All watersheds eventually end at the ocean, which is a part of many river ecosystems. The coast isn't the final destination of course, as water is carried worldwide by ocean currents, and water is evaporated at staggering rates. This evaporation is the source of precipitation which is deposited on land as rain and snow. If snow builds up with enough pressure, glaciers are formed. The water cycle begins again, and humans and nature alike can once again benefit from its power, life giving nutrients and top quality habitat.
All watersheds eventually end at the ocean, which is a part of many river ecosystems. The coast isn't the final destination of course, as water is carried worldwide by ocean currents, and water is evaporated at staggering rates. This evaporation is the source of precipitation which is deposited on land as rain and snow. If snow builds up with enough pressure, glaciers are formed. The water cycle begins again, and humans and nature alike can once again benefit from its power, life giving nutrients and top quality habitat.
If watersheds are managed carefully and with respect for all parties involved, human or otherwise, the cycle will continue on and benefit all life in Canada, the United States and beyond. Respect your water and it will provide all which you depend on.
“If you can’t get it in nature, then you can’t get it.” -Jason Leo Bantle