ALBERTA ENVIRONMENT
FISHERIES AND OCEANS CANADA
WATER MANAGEMENT FRAMEWORK:
INSTREAM FLOW NEEDS AND WATER MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
FOR THE LOWER ATHABASCA RIVER

February 2007

Table of Contents

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1.0 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

2.0 INTRODUCTION

3.0 THE JOINT AENV-DFO WATER MANAGEMENT FRAMEWORK

3.1 Description of Framework Phases

3.1.1 Phase 1 of the Water Management Framework (September 2006 to September 30, 2010)

3.1.2 Phase 1 Effects On Modeled Habitat Availability

3.1.3 The Phase 2 (Long-term) Water Management Framework Process

3.2 Implementation of the Framework

3.2.1 Area of the Framework

3.2.2 Phase 1 Flow Boundaries and Withdrawal Restrictions

3.2.3 Short-Term AENV Diversion Licences

3.2.4 Proposed Implementation Methods for Phase 1

3.3 Fisheries Act (Canada) Section 35(2) Authorization Requirements under the Phase 1 Framework

4.0 DEFINITIONS

5.0 CONTACTS FOR FURTHER INFORMATION

APPENDIX 1 Instream Flow Needs: General Overview for Non-technical Readers

What is Instream Flow?

How is an Instream Flow Need Recommendation Determined?

Why is an Instream Flow Need Recommendation Important?

APPENDIX 2 Context for the Water Management Framework

Regional Sustainable Development Strategy (RSDS) for the Athabasca Oil Sands Area

Regulatory Hearings

CEMA Work

APPENDIX 3 Methodology Behind the Water Management Framework

The Water Management Framework

Determining the IFN Recommendation

Biology (Fish Habitat)

Natural Flow Regime

Habitat Metrics

Summary of the IFN Threshold Values - Phase 1

The Cautionary Threshold - Yellow zone

The Potential Sustainability Threshold - Red Zone

Climate Change

REFERENCES

Acknowledgements

Alberta Environment and Fisheries and Oceans Canada have jointly developed this document based on work by the Cumulative Environmental Management Association. The significant contribution of the members of all these organizations is appreciated.