The Red Deer River Watershed Alliance (RDRWA) is proud to announce the successful completion of our conservation and restoration initiative for riparian areas in the Rosebud, Raven, and Michichi subwatersheds. This multi-year project funded by Alberta’s Watershed Resiliency and Restoration Program (WRRP), commenced in April 2022 and represents a significant milestone in watershed stewardship.
With funding support from WRRP and our municipal partners, RDRWA in partnership with Fiera Biological Consulting, has now
- Mapped 10,000 km of riparian intactness across the Red Deer River Basin
- Delivered technical reports now available on the RDRWA website
- Shared digital mapping data on the Government of Alberta’s website for public download here
These projects provide an important foundation for future riparian restoration and conservation work. By identifying priority areas through comprehensive mapping, we aim to guide decision-making, enhance resiliency, and support ecosystem services across the basin. This information is also part of Riparian chapter of our upcoming online State of the Watershed Report – stay tuned for its release!
RDRWA WRRP project summaries
In 2020, RDRWA and Fiera assessed 1782 kilometres of shoreline in the Medicine-Blindman Rivers watershed using a GIS-based model of riparian intactness. This region was prioritized for its critical source water protection role for the City of Red Deer and its susceptibility to flood and drought pressures. The results offer a spatial foundation for targeting future conservation and restoration efforts.
Building on this success, RDRWA launched the project titled “Targeting the Conservation and Restoration of Riparian Areas in the Lower Headwaters and Central Agricultural Zones of the Red Deer River Watershed.” This project w focused on the Little Red Deer, Kneehills, Threehills, and Buffalo tributaries and identified priority areas for restoration and engaged local municipalities to support implementation.
Most recently, riparian intactness assessments were completed in the Michichi, Raven, and Rosebud rivers. RDRWA then collaborated with Wheatland County, Nature Conservancy and other volunteers and partners last fall to host three on-the-ground restoration projects in the Rosebud and Michichi subwatersheds.
Why Riparian Areas Matter
Healthy riparian zones play a vital role in watersheds through:
- Flood and drought resiliency
- Improving water quality
- Supporting biodiversity
- Providing recreational opportunities
To learn more, check out RDRWA’s video: “Measuring What Matters ” on the ecological and community value of riparian areas. We extend sincere thanks to the board of directors, partners and volunteers who participated on the technical committees and riparian planting demonstration events, contributing their time and expertise.
Connecting Communities to the Land
These assessments are more than maps—they’re catalysts for action. RDRWA has hosted several community riparian planting workshops with our partners and will continue to promote these activities. One example can be viewed here. Additional examples and project results can be accessed on the interactive Riparian Portal at https://riparian.info.
For more information on this initiative visit the Projects & Updates page on our website. To get involved with RDRWA’s ongoing work please visit our Get Involved page.