The Milk River watershed is a small, semi-arid and trans-boundary watershed. Climate in the Milk River watershed is unique in comparison to the rest of Alberta. The semi-arid environment has influenced not only the soils, vegetation and wildlife that are found there, but it has also shaped the people, industry and economic growth in the region.

Identifying priority concerns in the Milk River Watershed

In 2005 (prior to the formation of the MRWCC) a survey was conducted during a public consultation process. The survey asked people to list the issues they believed were most pressing in the Milk River watershed. From the survey, a list of priorities was developed and goals and objectives were formed to address the main issues. Since this initial input, the MRWCC was formed and the 2008 Milk River State of the Watershed (SOW) Report was completed.

The following is a list of priority areas that are ranked closely in terms of importance to stakeholders.

Priority Concerns

• Ability to secure a dependable water supply from a limited resource,
• Limited economic development opportunities due, in part, to the limited, unsecure supply of water,
• Augmentation of natural flow in the Milk River by the St. Mary River diversion (particularly the impacts associated with timing, duration and volume), and
• Ability to maintain surface water and groundwater quality.

General Concerns:

• Ability to maintain wildlife and biodiversity,
• Potential loss/degradation of wetlands and riparian areas, and
• Impact of various land uses (e.g. recreation, oil and gas, and agriculture) on watershed resources.