Waterton Reservoir and Cottonwood Creek
AB
Canada
Join wetland ecologist Kirby England (a.k.a. the beaver guy) and cottonwood biologist Cheryl Bradley, both advocates for healthy rivers and streams, as we experience two dams– one built by beavers and one by humans. Learnings will be woven into conversations about the differences for aquatic ecosystems and water management in southern Alberta.
With a backdrop of our Rocky Mountain headwaters, this adventure provides a beautiful setting to compare and contrast two fundamentally different approaches to water storage and management. The first, the Waterton Reservoir, is massive and human-engineered. Differences in the ecosystems upstream and downstream of the dam and in the diversion canal will be observed and implications for biodiversity and water management discussed.
As a contrast to the man-made behemoth, we will hike along Cottonwood Creek to another dam, this one much smaller, beaver-engineered and built, and broadly nature-based. At this beaver wetland complex, we will see the water storage system put in place by beavers and discuss the relative differences for aquatic ecology at this site. We are planning to visit towards the early evening where we might see the best dam water managers doing some beavering! Participants will also have the option to experience the beaver wetland complex on a small boat to see it from the beaver’s usual perspective (within the water). We will also have the opportunity to see and learn about a beaver coexistence project at the Palmer Ranch, completed with the Waterton Biosphere Reserve Association and You Betula Environmental Inc.
Please note this tour will run into the evening (likely ending around 7 p.m.). Directions to the meeting point will be emailed to registered participants a few days before the trip.