Equitable Water Apportionment on the Canadian Prairies The Master Agreement on Apportionment 1969 & The Prairie Provinces Water Board October, 2017 Alberta - Saskatchewan - Manitoba - Canada 1
Early agreements Master Agreement on Apportionment and the Prairie Provinces Water Board PPWB Activities October, 2017 Alberta - Saskatchewan - Manitoba - Canada 2
History Prairie Water Agreements Western Water Board 1930 Federal government didn t ratify Prairie Provinces Water Advisory Board -1945 Federal government not involved Prairie Provinces Water Board Agreement 1948 Federal and Prairie Provinces October, 2017 Alberta - Saskatchewan - Manitoba - Canada 3
History Prairie Water Agreements SK, AB, MB and Canada formed the PPWB in 1948 to recommend the best use and allocation of interprovincial waters. By 1960s, provinces began requesting large allocations of water and the PPWB approach could not adequately plan for the long-term. Perception provincial licensing powers were being usurped by the PPWB. In 1969, Master Agreement on Apportionment (MAA) addressed this issue and more. October, 2017 Alberta - Saskatchewan - Manitoba - Canada 4
Master Agreement on Apportionment An agreement between Jurisdictions (Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Canada) The agreement outlines obligations and entitlements vis-à-vis surface and groundwater quantity and quality. The agreement re-established the PPWB and creates the environment for continuous dialogue regarding cooperative water management. October, 2017 Alberta - Saskatchewan - Manitoba - Canada 5
Schedules Master Agreement on A: Apportionment- AB flow to SK B: Apportionment- SK flow to MB Apportionment C: PPWB Agreement: Operations D: Pre-1969 Orders-in-Council water allocation E: Agreement on Water Quality F: Agreement on Transboundary Aquifers (proposed) October, 2017 Alberta - Saskatchewan - Manitoba - Canada 6
Master Agreement on Apportionment Applies to water arising in Alberta and flowing into Saskatchewan, and water flowing through Saskatchewan or arising in Saskatchewan that flows into Manitoba. Applies to transboundary groundwater. Waters are to be apportioned in an equitable manner. October, 2017 Alberta - Saskatchewan - Manitoba - Canada 7
Equitable Apportionment AB-SK: one half of natural flow, except 75% on Battle, Lodge and Middle Creeks May consume 2.1M acre feet on S. Sask provided 1500 cfs is maintained 68.4% on Cold River SK-MB: half of flow received from AB, and half of natural flow arising in SK. Timing of deliveries. Quality of water. October, 2017 Alberta - Saskatchewan - Manitoba - Canada 8
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Prairie Provinces Water Board Reports to Ministers 5 Senior Officials Duties: Compute and report on apportionment Review and report on water quality Promote integrated water resource development Coordinate studies and monitoring Recommend on water matters Report on disputes Review and recommend water quality objectives Review and update RIM (proposed) Assess and classify transboundary aquifers (proposed) October, 2017 Alberta - Saskatchewan - Manitoba - Canada 10
Board Alberta Environment & Parks Saskatchewan Water Security Agency Manitoba Infrastructure Environment & Climate Change Canada Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada Executive Director Committee On Hydrology (COH) Secretariat Board Secretary COWQ Secretary and Advisor COH, COG, & COFF Secretary and Advisors Admin Assistant Committee On Water Quality (COWQ) Committee On Groundwater (COG) Committee On Flow Forecasting (COFF) Committees October, 2017 Alberta - Saskatchewan - Manitoba - Canada 11
Current PPWB Activities Apportionment computation renewal Water Quality Investigations Improved Flow Forecasting Develop an Agreement on Transboundary Aquifers October, 2017 Alberta - Saskatchewan - Manitoba - Canada 12
Apportionment Computation Renewal Basin Reviews Examine development, allocation, apportionment methods, monitoring. 16 basins, 10 year rotation Completed - N Sask R, Cold R, Sask R Started - Qu Appelle R Next S Sask, Assiniboine Apportionment Oversight Criteria Evaporation Study October, 2017 Alberta - Saskatchewan - Manitoba - Canada 13
Water Quality Investigations Updated objectives approved by responsible Ministers in spring 2015. Next objectives review to begin in 2020 Outstanding questions from last objectives review. Trend analysis to 2008 (complete), 2013 (pending), 2018 (starting 2019). Current understanding and influences on nutrient contributions and transport. Observed high metal concentrations on Red Deer R (AB/SK). October, 2017 Alberta - Saskatchewan - Manitoba - Canada 14
Improved Flow Forecasting Improved exchange of information and harmonization of output products. Sharing of knowledge on tools and practices. Full-basin forecast models. Saskatchewan R system first October, 2017 Alberta - Saskatchewan - Manitoba - Canada 15
Discussion October, 2017 Alberta - Saskatchewan - Manitoba - Canada 16