Description
Differing governmental organization and management strategies between Canada and the United States concerning watershed management is a cause for variance in resource management strategies. This paper discusses ongoing research investigating past transboundary watershed initiatives and current management schemes involved in transboundary watershed management. Individual stakeholders, Non-governmental organizations and all levels of government should collaborate to promote cooperation when designing and implementing transboundary watershed policy. Population expansion and urban development in Aldergrove and Abbotsford, British Columbia (B.C.) are impacting the Canadian portions of Bertrand and Fishtrap Creeks watersheds. As a result, flows have been altered from historical norms. Both watercourses and their tributaries provide irrigation and domestic water for residents in both Washington (WA) and B.C. Ground and surface water irrigation from these watersheds supports the agriculture industry in the Fraser Lowlands, a strong economic driver in the region. Interviews with local watershed regulators have indicated that instances of flooding during the rainy season have increased, while flows are below normal during the dry season. Water quality has also been compromised. Can low flows and questionable water quality act as drivers for cooperative transboundary management between watershed users, and regulators in WA and B.C.?
Document Type
Event
Start Date
8-3-2008 8:00 AM
Subject - LCSH
Water-supply--Bertrand Creek Watershed (B.C. and Wash.)--Management; Water-supply--Fishtrap Creek Watershed (B.C. and Wash.)--Management; Water resources development--Bertrand Creek Watershed (B.C. and Wash.); Water resources development--Fishtrap Creek Watershed (B.C. and Wash.); Sustainable development--Bertrand Creek Watershed (B.C. and Wash.); Sustainable development--Fishtrap Creek Watershed (B.C. and Wash.);
End Date
8-3-2008 5:00 PM
Session
Borderlands in the Northwest: Case Studies
Genre/Form
conference proceedings
Type
event
Geographic Coverage
Bertrand Creek Watershed (B.C. and Wash.); Fishtrap Creek Watershed (B.C. and Wash.)
Rights
Copying of this document in whole or in part is allowable only for scholarly purposes. It is understood, however, that any copying or publication of this document for commercial purposes, or for financial gain, shall not be allowed without the author's written permission.
Language
English
Format
application/pdf
Keywords
surface water, Fraser Lowland, British Columbia, Washington State, transboundary environmental management
Included in
Transboundary Surface Water Management Framework forCooperation
Differing governmental organization and management strategies between Canada and the United States concerning watershed management is a cause for variance in resource management strategies. This paper discusses ongoing research investigating past transboundary watershed initiatives and current management schemes involved in transboundary watershed management. Individual stakeholders, Non-governmental organizations and all levels of government should collaborate to promote cooperation when designing and implementing transboundary watershed policy. Population expansion and urban development in Aldergrove and Abbotsford, British Columbia (B.C.) are impacting the Canadian portions of Bertrand and Fishtrap Creeks watersheds. As a result, flows have been altered from historical norms. Both watercourses and their tributaries provide irrigation and domestic water for residents in both Washington (WA) and B.C. Ground and surface water irrigation from these watersheds supports the agriculture industry in the Fraser Lowlands, a strong economic driver in the region. Interviews with local watershed regulators have indicated that instances of flooding during the rainy season have increased, while flows are below normal during the dry season. Water quality has also been compromised. Can low flows and questionable water quality act as drivers for cooperative transboundary management between watershed users, and regulators in WA and B.C.?