Activities
Past Events
2024 FCWA Annual General Meeting
Chair Comments to FCWA
"I’m so grateful to have worked with the 10 people – our Board - who have developed this important stewardship group; thank you!
Since incorporating in 2020 we have many achievements 40 odd meetings including those with AEPA and County; volunteer monitoring of groundwater levels and water quality; learning about and working on bio-engineering of damaged creek banks; partnerships with Calgary (Friends of Fish Creek); Tsuut’ina, Foothills County, Cows and Fish, AEPA, AB Forestry, Bow River Basin Council, and funders: EcoTrust, Watershed Stewardship Council, and WRRP.
Our IMP with 1,2 and 3 year goals, guides us through 2026 including public education; signage for our creeks; riparian rehabilitation, encouraging off-stream watering; video to promote this work; development of website, social media, membership management.
We have all grown through this experience of exploring the meaning of this critical watershed in our lives, our health and work, as well as the impact of various land uses and biodiversity in and around the creeks ... the meaning of stewardship; the role of government, industry and the public; what science has to teach us of quality and quantity of water and what power we have as a volunteer group to question decisions at the County and provincial levels. Especially since the scathing report of the Auditor General this Fall on the government negligence in managing water in Alberta we realize how important our diligence is here. Since 2007 the SSRB watershed was closed to new licenses, after realizing the watershed is already over-allocated!
Through donations from individuals, government and foundations, the State of the Watershed studies with Palliser Environmental Services and the Integrated Watershed Management Plan have guided our work.
We learned that, in the Fall, flows are often below WCO; that roughly 50% of riparian areas are not healthy; we have lost traditional fishery; and again, we lack government oversight. We need more members, including new Board members, donors and volunteers. Our future in this watershed depends on a more vigorous public engagement and this organization that questions all new developments without Cumulative Impact Assessment – a comprehensive measuring of all developments and their impact on both agricultural, human and in-stream life.
As I step down as Chair I am delighted that Peter Adams has generously indicated his willingness to step up, along with the existing members of the Board and any new members who join this year.
Again my thanks for the privilege of working with all of you on this life-line we can never take for granted."
David Swann
FCWA Board Member - President and Chair 2020 - 2024
2024 ACCOMPLISHMENTS
37 paid members
Video project progressing towards 2025 launch
20+ interpretive and trout habitat signs installed to raise community knowledge and stewardship; additional installs in progress
Spawning Trout Surveys
AB Auditor General’s report discussed decades of mismanagement of Alberta’s water
People can come to us as an intermediary with government for concerns about the watershed
Improved digital tools and online presence
ACTION PLAN FOR 2025+
1 Year and 3 Year plans have been updated
2024 Annual Fish Creek Provincial Park - Rainbow Redd Survey on Fish Creek
Thanks to Friends of Fish Creek for organizing this important event. This year we only reported one fish and three redds because the water is still too cold - Priddis Creek was just 3°C and Fish Creek was 6°C. However, flow rates are very favorable this Spring compared to the past couple of years.
What is the Rainbow Redd Survey?
"Trout are gravel nest spawners, with female trout and salmon excavating a nest, called a redd, where they deposit eggs. These are fertilized by one or more male trout or salmon, then covered by gravel. By counting and mapping the number and distribution of redds, we can answer questions about trout populations and spawning habitat in Fish Creek Provincial Park. Trout are indicator species for healthy streams, as they require cool, clean and connected watersheds to survive. As different trout species spawn at different times, we count the number of rainbow trout redds every May, and the number of brown trout redds every November. At the same time, we map beaver dams and recreational rock dams to examine their interaction with spawning." - Friends of Fish Creek
2024 Annual FCWA Community Information Session
Our speakers:
Jim Stelfox, a fisheries biologist (now retired), talked about what's threatening our fishery.
Pam Kuipers, from the Cows and Fish Riparian Management Society, explained why beavers are important for keeping our creeks healthy, especially during droughts.
Suzanne Oel, Division 4 Councillor, talked about drought preparedness within the county.
Brooke Kapeller, from the Bow River Basin Council, provided details about collaboration on the Upper Fish Creek State of the Watershed Report
We also provided information on:
How to become a member of the FCWA
Upper Fish Creek Watershed in relation to other Southern Alberta watersheds.
State of the Watershed Report and other resources developed by FCWA
Sundog Solar / Off-stream watering systems for livestock
2023 Annual Fish Creek Provincial Park - Rainbow Redd Survey on Fish Creek
FCWA members frequently volunteer at the Rainbow Redd Survey on Fish Creek, which is put on annual by Friends of Fish Creek Provincial Park Society.
2023 Cows and Fish Community Creek Walk
Information and activities were lead by Trout Unlimited biologist Elliot Lindsay.
The event was hosted by FCWA at Priddis Creek Estates.
Photo credits: Cows and Fish
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