Watershed Resources

The Lesser Slave Watershed Council works to improve and maintain a healthy watershed through education, planning and implementation of shared initiatives in support of communities and ecosystems throughout the region.

We want our neighbours, the people who live, work, and play in our watershed to understand their role in watershed management, resiliency and more. Our website and office are treasure troves of resources for those who want to learn more! Whether you care about lake health, cattle health, shoreline protection, or almost any topic related to land and water usage in the region we have something to help. Many of the links on this page were created by other organizations, if you find a link that no longer works please email [email protected].

Resources created by LSWC staff. Click titles to download PDF copies.

LSWC Video Presentations

In addition to these video presentations, we also have a YouTube channel we add all our presentations and videos to!

Partnership & Engagement Strategies in Northern Alberta Meghan Payne, LSWC Executive Director 2014 WPAC Summit in Edmonton	https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rE4r_h_8JH0
Water Management and the Lesser Slave River Meghan Payne, LSWC Executive Director 2013 CWRA Conference, Red Deer, AB	http://youtu.be/HW-mFQHmR3E
LSWC Highlights Sherrie Hay, LSWC Director 2012 WPAC Summit, Milk River, AB	http://youtu.be/2zXbNbXcnwQ

Cows & Fish - Riparian areas, wetlands and beavers

Cows & Fish (The Alberta Riparian Habitat Management Society) information sheets about Riparian and Shoreline Health. Hard copies of these resources can be picked up from our office in High Prairie

Fact Sheets:

Management resources:

Caring for the Green Zone - How riparian systems work, the things that can disturb their healthy function and grazing strategies to keep them healthy. (40 pages)
Beaver - our Watershed partner - This booklet has been written for the people who can most effectively influence watersheds and riparian areas - landowners, municipalities, conservation groups and industry.
Riparian Areas: A users guide to health

Check out the stories from producers who have worked with them over the years HERE

For Municipalities

Aquality Environmental - Muncipal Water Bootcamp Presentation
Stepping Back From the Water - A beneficial management practices guide for new development near water bodies in Alberta's settled region (2012)
North Saskatchewan Watershed Alliance Municipal Guide
Riparian Setbacks Matrix Model - a tool for determining setbacks for development

Invasive Species

Our ever-more connected world brings with it many great wonders, but also brings risks to Alberta's wildlife, plants, and waterways.

Alberta Invasive Species Council

Government of Alberta- Invasive Species

Aquatic Invasive Species Quick Facts - Quagga & Zebra Mussels and Eurasian mil-foil
Whirling Disease Quick Facts
ALMS - Aquatic Invasive Guidebook
List of Noxious and Prohibited Noxious Species in Alberta
Alberta Invasive Plant ID Guide

Lake Health & Management

Respect our Lakes

The Respect Our Lakes (ROL) program was developed within the Government of Alberta and aims to support and engage Albertans in lake stewardship. The program provides the tools and resources to help lake users understand, value, and actively manage lakes through the application of relevant legislation and science.

Rules & Regulations

Riparian Rights and Shoreline Modifications

Water Legislation & Guidelines

Water boundaries

High Water

The Shore Primer - Guide to naturalized shoreline property

Guide to Lakefront Living

Parkland County developed video resources for recreation, living and developing around lakes. Although developed by Parkland County the information applies to all lakes in Alberta.

Introduction to the Guide to Lakefront Living
Episode 1 - Shorelines
Episode 2 - The Buffer Zone
Episode 3 - Construction Projects
Episode 4 - Septic Systems
Episode 5 - Shoreline Landscaping
Episode 6 - Erosion
Episode 7 - Shoreline Access
Episode 8 - Who's Shoreline is it anyways?