FIRST WATERSHED REPORT CARD RELEASED

Saskatchewan’s first report card on the health of its watersheds was released today in the State of the Watershed Report.

“This document is an important tool for assessing the health of our watersheds and ensuring our water resources are sustainable,” Minister responsible for the Saskatchewan Watershed Authority John Nilson said.  “The State of the Watershed Report is another example of Saskatchewan’s leadership in the protection of our natural environment and the development of a green economy, furthering our efforts to provide our residents with a healthy place to live, work and raise a family.

“The report represents a significant milestone under the Safe Drinking Water Strategy, our comprehensive action plan to deal with the risks that affect drinking water and impact the health of our province’s people.”

The report uses indicators to assess the stress being placed on watersheds, the ecological health or condition of the watersheds, and the management activities being undertaken to mitigate the stresses.  Based on this assessment of Saskatchewan’s 29 watersheds, four watersheds were given a high stress rating and twelve watersheds were rated as having impaired ecological health; however, seventeen watersheds were rated as having a high degree of management activities intended to minimize these stresses and improve ecological health.

These management responses include a broad range of initiatives, from private landowners’ conservation efforts to partnerships between government and non-government organizations on watershed planning or water quality and quantity monitoring.

Each watershed’s condition, stress and response ratings are presented in an easy-to-understand report card format.

The purpose of State of the Watershed reporting is to provide the information needed to effectively manage Saskatchewan’s watersheds, and to provide a benchmark for future comparisons.  Identifying which watersheds have lower health ratings or higher potential stress levels will help determine which watersheds in the province need to be assessed further.  In doing so, the report will provide a basis for governments, decision-makers, industry, and the community to act in the long-term interest of environmental sustainability. 

The State of the Watershed Report is available online at www.swa.ca.

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For more information, contact:

Dr. Terry Hanley
Saskatchewan Watershed Authority
Regina
Phone: 306-787-9982

Heather Davies
Saskatchewan Watershed Authority
Saskatoon
Phone: 306-964-1555