A State of the Watershed report was published in 2012 that summarizes the current knowledge of the Sturgeon River Watershed and its environmental integrity. 

The report was created for the City of St. Albert for use by all stakeholders in the watershed and provides the necessary information for a shared governance approach to watershed management decisions by regulators, policymakers, landowners and industrial users. The report compiled the existing watershed information on public perception and concerns, existing legislation, plans and programs, watershed characteristics, land uses, social and cultural resources, surface water quality and surface water quantity and management. 

The report gives a complete picture of the health of the Sturgeon River Watershed and provides a benchmark against which future activities and changes in land and water management practices aimed at protecting and maintaining the health of the Sturgeon River can be assessed. 

Overall Grade: Fair

Fifteen indicators of ecological health were graded as good, fair, poor or insufficient data and used to assess the overall condition of the watershed, which rated as fair.

Read the Watershed Report Summary Document

Recommendations

The Sturgeon River State of the Watershed Report recommends that priority is given to minimizing the effects of urban and residential sprawl, the protection and restoration of natural areas, emphasizing wetlands and riparian areas, and reducing non-point sources of pollution. 

Key Recommendation: Establish an inter-municipal taskforce/technical committee with help from the North Saskatchewan Watershed Alliance (NSWA) to harmonize inter-municipal plans, bylaws and policies related to watershed management issues such as stormwater best management practices, riparian and natural areas protection and residential density targets. 

Other Recommendations Include: 

• Promote watershed education and outreach programs
  Timeline: Ongoing 
• Encourage and support Sturgeon River Watershed research to address data gaps (NAIT, University of Alberta)
  Timeline: Ongoing 
• Promote sustainable urban development (higher density developments, improved transit systems, reduced dependence on vehicles, preservation of natural areas)
  Timeline: Medium 
• Undertake a drained wetland inventory for future restoration projects involving partners such as Ducks Unlimited Canada, Alberta Environment and Water and Alberta Sustainable Resource Development
  Timeline: Medium-Long 
• Identify and prioritize environmentally sensitive areas in the watershed for protection
  Timeline: Medium-Long 
• Implement sub-basin recommendations from the North Saskatchewan Watershed Alliance Integrated Watershed Management Plan
  Timeline: Medium-Long 

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Related Pages

Sturgeon River Initiatives ›

What Can You Do for the River ›

River Critters ›