Water Resources

where is there the most water around the globe

the oceans

what percent of global water is freshwater

2.5%

where is most of the freshwater found on earth

glaciers and ice caps

what is the triple peak divide

place where precipitation can flow into three different ocean drainage basins: the Pacific, the Atlantic, and the Arctic

what are the three ocean drainage basins that the triple peak divide drains into

the Pacific, the Atlantic, and the Arctic

transboundary waters

the aquifers and lake/river basins shared by two or more countries

_______ waters account for 60% of the world’s freshwater flows

transboundary waters

what is a key problem with transboundary waters

conflicts for shared water resources

what was the issue with the Teck Cominco plant

there was massive discharge of slag and effluent into the rivers which led to widespread river pollution downstream - they were sued and forced to clean up downstream

how many key transboundary basins are shared between Canada and the USA

13

what is the name of the treaty between Canada and the USA which established the International Joint Commission

1909 International Boundary Waters Treaty Act

what even led to the establishment of the IJC

when farmers in Montana dug a canal to diver water from St Mary River to Milk River and Albertan farmers started canal to divert the water back

what is the boundary waters treaty

governs the sharing of international waters between Canada and USA and established the IJC to monitor compliance

master agreement on apportionment

agreement between the governments of Canada, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba to equitably share transboundary water.

Mackenzie River Basin Transboundary waters master agreement

agreement commits Canada, NW Territories, Yukon, BC, AB, and Sask to manage the water resources of the whole Mackenzie River Basin.

what is sustainability

any action that can be continued indefinitely

what must be met for water to be considered sustainable

meet the needs (quality and quantity) of both humans and ecosystems

Canada is know around the world as a

water rich country

how many of the largest freshwater lakes does Canada have

5 of the 10

how much of the world’s freshwater resources does Canada hold

20%

what does alberta allocate the most water towards

agriculture irrigation

what must someone/company have to use water in alberta

license

what act does Alberta have to manage water resources

water act

what water resources does the water act manage

above and below ground water

what system does Alberta use to allocate water

FITFIRF

FITFIR

First in Time, First in Right

what are water rights

maximum volume of water that is licensed for use

what is a licensed user authorized to do

divert water from surface or ground sources

explain the FITFIR

idea that water rights are granted based on seniority the earliest water license holders get priority during water shortages, ensuring they receive their full allocation before newer licensees get any.

according to FITFIR which license has priority to water

most senior/oldest

which Albertan river is the only one that can still be licensed

Red Deer River

what is required for any individual wanting to use or divert water in Alberta

Water license

what do we need to manage a resource effectively

• physical data

• information on study area

what province is Alberta required to provide a quantity of their water to

Saskatchewan

how many irrigation districts does Alberta have

13