OLW Watershed Governance Impact Measure

	A	B	C	D	E	F	G	H	I	J	K	L	M	N
1	Watershed Governance Impact measure: % of Canada's major 25 watersheds with a mechanism in place to support watershed governance
2	Note: The data presented here represent our best research given the time and resources at hand. We acknowledge there may be errors. This shared measurement system belongs to all members of the Our Living Water Network, so if you have any corrections for us, or ideas to share on this measure, please send us an email at info@ourlivingwaters.ca.
3				Watershed Governance Mechanism
4	WWF Major Watersheds (25)		Is there a watershed governance mechanism? (Y, N or Portion only)	Watershed Institution or Transboundary Water Board	Interjurisdictional Watershed Agreement or Policy	Common Vision or Framework for the Watershed	Coverage	Jurisdictions	Date	IJC (International Joint Commission) Board - if indicated	Description	Link	Map of Coverage	Focus (Quality, Quantity, Fish, Benthic Invertebrates)

5	1	Pacific Coastal (BC)	N					British Columbia
6	2	Fraser-Lower Mainland Basin (BC)	N					British Columbia
7	3	Columbia Basin (BC)	Y		Columbia River Treaty		WHOLE Columbia River Basin	BC, Alberta, and U.S. (Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Washington)	1964		Agreement between Canada and United States to coordinate flood control and optimize hydroelectric energy production within the Columbia River Basin. Mandated under the Columbia Basin Trust Act, a Columbia Basin Trust was created to manage assets and assist areas most impacted by the Treaty.	https://thebasin.ourtrust.org/columbia-river-treaty/	https://engage.gov.bc.ca/columbiarivertreaty/the-treaty/	Focused on quantity (flow, flood control, hydro energy production)
8	3	Columbia Basin (BC)	Y	International Columbia River Board of Control (IJC)			WHOLE Columbia River Basin	BC, Alberta, and U.S. (Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Washington)		IJC Board	Board reports on water levels and flows, as well as the effects of Grand Coulee Dam and its reservoir, Franklin D. Roosevelt Lake, on the Columbia River Basin.	https://www.ijc.org/en/crbc	https://www.ijc.org/en/crbc	Focused on quantity (water levels and flow)
9	4	Okanagan Basin (BC)	Y		Columbia River Treaty		WHOLE Okanagan Basin (included as part of Columbia River Basin)	BC and U.S. (Washington)	1964		Agreement between Canada and United States to coordinate flood control and optimize hydroelectric energy production within the Columbia River Basin. Mandated under the Columbia Basin Trust Act, a Columbia Basin Trust was created to manage assets and assist areas most impacted by the Treaty. [Columbia Basin Trust included in as watershed entity in other OLW impact measure.]	https://thebasin.ourtrust.org/columbia-river-treaty/	https://engage.gov.bc.ca/columbiarivertreaty/the-treaty/	Focused on quantity (flow, flood control, hydro energy production)
10				International Columbia River Board of Control (IJC)			WHOLE Okanagan Basin (included as part of Columbia River Basin)	British Columbia and U.S. (Washington)		IJC Board	Board reports on water levels and flows, as well as the effects of Grand Coulee Dam and its reservoir, Franklin D. Roosevelt Lake, on the Columbia River Basin.	https://www.ijc.org/en/crbc	https://www.ijc.org/en/crbc	Focused on quantity (water levels and flow)
11				International Osoyoos Lake Board of Control (IJC)			PORTION ONLY (Osoyoos Lake area)	British Columbia, and U.S. (Washington)	1946	IJC Board	Board of Control established by the International Joint Commission (IJC) to implement an Order to manage the alteration and operation of Zosel Dam on the Okanagan River below Osoyoos Lake. The Board also issues drought declarations.	https://ijc.org/en/olbc	https://ijc.org/en/olbc	Focused on quantity
12	5	Yukon Basin (YK, BC)	unknown
13	6	Peace - Athabasca (BC, AB, SK)	unknown
14	7	Lower Mackenzie (NWT, YK, BC, AB, SK)	Y	Mackenzie River Basin Board (MRBB)			WHOLE Mackenzie River Basin	Governments of Canada, British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, the Northwest Territories and Yukon			MRBB established to implement the Mackenzie River Basin Transboundary Waters Master Agreement. Not a regulatory or licensing board. It has no legal or policy basis to regulate resource use within the jurisdictions. However, MRBB may influence regulatory decisions.	http://www.mrbb.ca/information/16/index.html		Quality, quantity and flow, integrity of aquatic ecosystem
15					Mackenzie River Basin Transboundary Waters Master Agreement		WHOLE Mackenzie River Basin	Governments of Canada, British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, the Northwest Territories and Yukon	In effect July 1997		Agreement commits all six governments to work together to manage the water resources of the whole Mackenzie River Basin. Sets principles for inter-jurisdictional collaboration and formation of Mackenzie River Basin Board. Makes provision for neighbouring jurisdictions to negotiate bilateral water management agreements to address water issues at jurisdictional boundaries on transboundary streams and to provide parameters on the quality, quantity and flow of water. Guiding principles for cooperative management: equitable utilization, prior consultation, sustainable development, maintenance of ecological integrity.	http://www.mrbb.ca/uploads/files/general/19//mackenzie-river-basin-transboundary-waters-master-agreement.pdf		Quality, quantity and flow, integrity of aquatic ecosystem
16					Alberta-Northwest Territories Mackenzie River Basin Bilateral Water Agreement		PORTION	Alberta (AB) and Northwest Territories (NWT)	2015		Agreement between Alberta and the Northwest Territories pledging to cooperatively manage shared waters within Mackenzie River basin.	https://www.enr.gov.nt.ca/en/services/water-management/nwt-alberta-transboundary-water-agreement		Quality, quantity and flow, integrity of aquatic ecosystem
17											FLOW guidebook on AB-NWT Mackenzie River Basin agreement:	https://media.wix.com/ugd/c3d5ce_878883ee3f4843a4a56eb13f553d6c73.pdf		Quality, quantity and flow, integrity of aquatic ecosystem
18					British Columbia-Yukon Bilateral Water Management Agreement		PORTION within BC and YK	British Columbia and Yukon	2017		Agreement between British Columbia and Yukon Territory pledging to cooperatively manage shared waters within Mackenzie River basin.	https://www.mrbb.ca/uploads/files/general/39//bcyukonbwmafinal-low-res.pdf		Quality, quantity and flow, integrity of aquatic ecosystem
19					British Columbia - Northwest Territories Bilateral Water Management Agreement		PORTION within BC and NWT	British Columbia and Northwest Territories	2015		Agreement between British Columbia and Northwest Territories pledging to cooperatively manage shared waters within Mackenzie River basin.	https://www.mrbb.ca/information/120/index.html		Quality, quantity and flow, integrity of aquatic ecosystem
20					Yukon-Northwest Territories Bilateral Water Management Agreement		PORTION within YK and NWT	Yukon and Northwest Territories	2002		Agreement between Yukon and Northwest Territories pledging to cooperatively manage shared waters within Mackenzie River basin.	https://www.mrbb.ca/information/82/index.html		Quality, quantity and flow, integrity of aquatic ecosystem
21				Mackenzie Valley Land and Water Board (for its role in transboundary water management)			PORTION of Mackenzie Valley in NWT	Government of Northwest Territories, working with bordering provinces British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan			Umbrella co-management agency established to integrate NWT land and water board processes and promote consistency across the NWT. This regulatory authority plays a role in managing transboundary issues across neighbouring political boundaries, in addition to managing use of land and water in the Dehcho and South Slave regions (territory in the southern part of the NWT without land claims.	https://mvlwb.com/	http://www.mvlwb.ca/Registry.aspx	Focused on quantity, but also impacts on quality
22	8	Arctic Coast - Islands (NWT, NU)	N
23	Prairie Provinces Region covers multiple watersheds across AB, SK, and MB		(Watersheds covered highlighted in this green)	Prairie Provinces Water Board (PPWB)			Prairie Provinces Region (multiple watersheds)	Saskatchewan, Alberta, Manitoba and Canada	1948		PPWB administers the Prairie Provinces Master Agreement on Apportionment focusing on transboundary water issues in the Prairies. Does not have any legislative enforcement powers, but provides forum to promote interprovincial cooperation and discuss/resolve water issues amongst jurisdictions.	http://www.ppwb.ca/information/2/index.html	http://aep.alberta.ca/water/programs-and-services/water-for-life/partnerships/albertas-transboundary-water-agreements/prairie-provinces/default.aspx	Focused on quantity, and also quality (added later)
24					Prairie Provinces Master Agreement on Apportionment		Prairie Provinces Region (multiple watersheds)	Saskatchewan, Alberta, Manitoba and Canada	1969		Agreement to apportion (share) water via a formula for interprovincial streams, and water quality concerns.	https://www.ppwb.ca/information/79/index.html		Focused on quantity, and also quality (added later)
25						Prairie Provinces Water Board Charter	Prairie Provinces Region	Saskatchewan, Alberta, Manitoba and Canada	2012		Vision for effective transboundary water management on the Prairies.	https://www.ppwb.ca/information/78/index.html		Focused on quantity, and also quality (added later)
26						Prairie Water Directive - A Collective call to action for Water Security in the Prairie Provinces	Prairie Provinces Region	Saskatchewan, Alberta, Manitoba and Canada	2009		Statement of expectations between citizen groups, communities and organizations to collectively and democratically create a platform to advocate for change, participate in decision-making and hold governments accountable for the decisions they take regarding water.	https://poliswaterproject.org/files/2007/03/PrairieWaterDirectiveWeb_Final_2009.pdf		Quantity and quality
27	9	Missouri (AB, SK)	Y	Prairie Provinces Water Board (PPWB)	Prairie Provinces Master Agreement on Apportionment		Prairie Provinces Region -- includes Missouri (confirmed)	Alberta and Saskatchewan	1969		Agreement to apportion (share) water via a formula for interprovincial streams, and water quality concerns.			Focused on quantity, and also quality (added later)
28	10	North Saskatchewan Basin (AB, SK)	Y	Prairie Provinces Water Board (PPWB)	Prairie Provinces Master Agreement on Apportionment		Prairie Provinces Region -- includes North Saskatchewan	Alberta and Saskatchewan	1969		Agreement to apportion (share) water via a formula for interprovincial streams, and water quality concerns.			Focused on quantity, and also quality (added later)
29	11	South Saskatchewan Basin (AB, SK)	Y	Prairie Provinces Water Board (PPWB)	Prairie Provinces Master Agreement on Apportionment		Prairie Provinces Region -- includes South Saskatchewan	Alberta and Saskatchewan	1969		Agreement to apportion (share) water via a formula for interprovincial streams, and water quality concerns.			Focused on quantity, and also quality (added later)
30	14	Lower Saskatchewan - Nelson (SK, MB, ON)	Y	Prairie Provinces Water Board (PPWB)	Prairie Provinces Master Agreement on Apportionment		Prairie Provinces Region -- includes Lower Saskatchewan	Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Ontario	1969		Agreement to apportion (share) water via a formula for interprovincial streams, and water quality concerns.			Focused on quantity, and also quality (added later)
31	15	Churchill (AB, SK, MB)	Y	Prairie Provinces Water Board (PPWB)	Prairie Provinces Master Agreement on Apportionment		Prairie Provinces Region -- includes Churchill	Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba	1969		Agreement to apportion (share) water via a formula for interprovincial streams, and water quality concerns.			Focused on quantity, and also quality (added later)
32	12	Assiniboine - Red (SK, MB)	Y	Prairie Provinces Water Board (PPWB)	Prairie Provinces Master Agreement on Apportionment		Prairie Provinces Region -- includes Assiniboine	Saskatchewan and Manitoba	1969		Agreement to apportion (share) water via a formula for interprovincial streams, and water quality concerns.			Focused on quantity, and also quality (added later)
33				International Souris River Board (IJC)			PORTION (Souris River Basin)	Saskatchewan, Manitoba and North Dakota (U.S.)		IJC Board	Board ensures a more eco-systemic approach to transboundary water issues, compliance for the apportionment of river flows, oversight of flood operations, and assists the Commission in preventing and resolving transboundary disputes.	https://www.ijc.org/en/srb	https://www.ijc.org/en/srb	Focused on quantity
34				Red River Basin Commission (RRBC)			PORTION (Red River Basin)	Manitoba, Minnesota, and North Dakota (U.S.)			Multi-stakeholder non-profit organization facilitating a cooperative approach to water management within the Red River Basin through providing a forum for identifying, developing, and implementing solutions to crossboundary issues. Mandate to initiate a grassroots effort to address land and water issues in a basin-wide context.	https://www.redriverbasincommission.org/
35				International Red River Board (IJC)			PORTION (Red River Basin)	Manitoba, Minnesota, and North Dakota (U.S.)		IJC Board	Board monitors activities affecting transboundary flows/flooding, water quality, and ecosystem health in the Red River Basin.	https://www.ijc.org/en/rrb	https://www.ijc.org/en/rrb	Focus on quantity and quality, and ecosystem health.
36	13	Winnipeg Watershed (MB, ON)	Y	International Rainy - Lake of the Woods Watershed Board (IJC)			Lake of the Woods / Rainy River	Ontario, small portion in Manitoba, and Minnesota (U.S.)	2013 merger of two former boards	IJC Board	Assists with binational coordination of water quality efforts for the entire Rainy Lake transboundary watershed and ensures compliance with regulation of water levels on Rainy Lake and the Namakan Reservoir.	https://ijc.org/en/rlwwb	https://ijc.org/en/rlwwb	Focus on quantity
37	16	Keewatin - Southern Baffin (NU, NWT, MB, SK)	N
38	17	Northern Ontario (ON, MB, QC)	N
39	18	Northern Quebec (QC)	N
40	19	Great Lakes Basin (ON)	Y	Great Lakes Water Quality Board			WHOLE Great Lakes Basin	Ontario and Québec along with the eight U.S. Great Lakes states		IJC Board	Under the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement (below), the Board provides advice to the International Joint Commission. It is responsible for assessing progress made by Canada and the United States in implementing the Agreement, identifying emerging concerns, and recommending strategies for preventing and addressing Great Lakes issues, and advising on the role jurisdictions play in implementation.	https://www.ijc.org/en/wqb/who/mandate	https://www.ijc.org/en/wqb	Focus on quality, also impacts on quantity.
41					Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement		WHOLE Great Lakes Basin	Canada and the United States	2012		Agreement commits Canada and the United States to restore and maintain the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the Great Lakes Basin through research, cooperative action, and reporting on progress.	https://www.canada.ca/content/dam/eccc/migration/main/grandslacs-greatlakes/a1c62826-72be-40db-a545-65ad6fceae92/1094_canada-usa-20glwqa-20_e.pdf	https://ijc.org/en/what/glwq	Focus on quality. Also quantity issues, impacts of climate change, habitat, overall ecosystem health.
42					Canada-Ontario Agreement Respecting the Great Lakes Water Quality and Ecosystem Health		PORTION ONLY (Ontario portion of Great Lakes Basin)	Ontario and Canada	2014		Agreement between Ontario and Canada to deliver on obligations under the Canada-United States Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement that seeks to restore and protect the integrity of the Great Lakes Basin ecosystem.	https://www.ontario.ca/page/canada-ontario-agreement-coa-respecting-great-lakes-basin-ecosystem		Focus on quality issues, but relevant to water quantity
43					Great Lakes–St. Lawrence River Basin Sustainable Water Resources Agreement		WHOLE Great Lakes Basin	Ontario and Québec along with the eight U.S. Great Lakes states	2005		Agreement signed to protect, conserve and restore waters of Great Lakes Basin, committing signatories to: ban transfers of water out of the Basin and from one Great Lake watershed to another with strict exceptions; establish water conservation programs; use common standards for water use decision making; strengthen information and science to support sound decisions; and enhance regional oversight and collaboration.	https://dr6j45jk9xcmk.cloudfront.net/documents/2700/200040.pdf		Focus on quantity issues
44				Great Lakes - St. Lawrence River Basin Water Resources Council (Compact Council - U.S. Only)			PORTION of Great Lakes Basin - U.S.	U.S. Only - Eight U.S. Great Lakes states (Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin)			Note: U.S. States Only. Compact Council provides a framework for U.S. Great Lakes states to enact programs and laws protecting the Great Lakes Basin. Governors of the Compact Council coordinate with Ontario and Québec to protect and conserve the Basin through the Great Lakes–St. Lawrence River Basin Sustainable Water Resources Agreement noted above.	http://www.glslcompactcouncil.org/Agreements.aspx		Focus on quantity (water use, conservation and efficiency)
45				International Lake Ontario-St. Lawrence River Board (also below under St. Lawrence)			PORTION (along Lake Ontario and St. Lawrence watersheds)	Ontario and United States		IJC Board	Board ensures the water flow out of Lake Ontario meets the requirements (see Regulation Plan 2014 noted below), monitors performance, and communicates about water levels and flow to the public.	https://www.ijc.org/en/loslrb	https://www.ijc.org/en/loslrb	Focus on quantity (water levels and flow)
46					Regulation Plan 2014 for Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River		PORTION (Lake Ontario and St. Lawrence portion)	Ontario and United States	2014		New Lake Ontario – St. Lawrence River flow regulation plan (Plan 2014) includes measures to improve ecosystem health and diversity through environmental conditions and coastal protections on the lower St. Lawrence River, below the Moses-Saunders Dam. It allows for more natural variations of water levels to help restore coastal wetlands and improve habitat for fish and wildlife.	https://www.ijc.org/en/loslrb/who/about	https://www.ijc.org/en/loslrb/who/regulation	Focus on quantity (water levels and flow). Also habitat for fish and wildlife.
47				International Niagara Board of Control			PORTION (Niagara River portion)	Ontario and United States (State of New York)		IJC Board		https://www.ijc.org/en/nbc
48	20	Ottawa Watershed (ON, QC)	Y	Ottawa River Regulation Planning Board			WHOLE Ottawa River Basin				Board established to ensure integrated management of main reservoirs of Ottawa River Basin. Goal of its integrated management approach is to provide protection against flooding and maintain the interests of the various users particularly in hydro-electric energy production.	http://www.ottawariver.ca/	http://www.ottawariver.ca/information-brochure.php	Focus on quantity (water levels and flow)
49	21	St. Lawrence (ON, QC)	Y		Canada-Quebec Agreement on the St. Lawrence		WHOLE St. Lawrence River	Canada and Quebec	Began: 1988 Latest: 2011-2026		Through this Agreement, the governments of Canada and Quebec renewed their commitment to partner in conserving, restoring, and protecting the St. Lawrence River (also see St. Lawrence Action Plan below).	http://planstlaurent.qc.ca/en/home/about_us/entente.html		Focus on quality, quantity, biodiversity, fisheries
50					St. Lawrence Action Plan (Plan D'Action Saint-Laurent)		WHOLE St. Lawrence River	Canada and Quebec	Began: 1988 Latest: 2011-2026		The plan commits Canada and Quebec to work together and harmonize efforts to improve water quality, conserve biodiversity, and ensure water is used sustainably along the St. Lawrence River. Various initiatives have been developed to implement the plan including monitoring, modelling, and community participation programs. Integrated water management is one of the key overall goals. The Plan is also known as the Canada–Quebec Agreement on the St. Lawrence (see above).	http://planstlaurent.qc.ca/en/background/plusde25ansdecollaboration.html		Focus on quality, quantity, biodiversity, fisheries
51					Great Lakes–St. Lawrence River Basin Sustainable Water Resources Agreement		WHOLE Great Lakes St. Lawrence River Basin	Ontario and Québec along with the eight U.S. Great Lakes states	2005		Agreement signed to protect, conserve and restore waters of Great Lakes Basin, committing signatories to: ban transfers of water out of the Basin and from one Great Lake watershed to another with strict exceptions; establish water conservation programs; use common standards for water use decision making; strengthen information and science to support sound decisions; and enhance regional oversight and collaboration.	https://dr6j45jk9xcmk.cloudfront.net/documents/2700/200040.pdf		Focus on quantity issues
52				International Lake Ontario-St. Lawrence River Board (also above under Great Lakes)			WHOLE St. Lawrence River	Ontario, Quebec, and the United States		IJC Board	Board ensures the water flow out of Lake Ontario meets the requirements (see Regulation Plan 2014 noted below), monitors performance, and communicates about water levels and flow to the public.	https://www.ijc.org/en/loslrb	https://www.ijc.org/en/loslrb	Focus on quantity (water levels and flow)
53					Regulation Plan 2014 for Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River		WHOLE St. Lawrence River	Ontario and United States	2016		New Lake Ontario – St. Lawrence River flow regulation plan (Plan 2014) includes measures to improve ecosystem health and diversity through environmental conditions and coastal protections on the lower St. Lawrence River, below the Moses-Saunders Dam. It allows for more natural variations of water levels to help restore coastal wetlands and improve habitat for fish and wildlife.	https://www.ijc.org/en/loslrb/who/about	https://www.ijc.org/en/loslrb/who/regulation	Focus on quantity (water levels and flow). Also habitat for fish and wildlife.
54	22	North Shore - Gaspé (QC, NFLD)	N					Quebec and Newfoundland
55	23	Saint John - St. Croix (NB)	Portion only				Portion only
56				International St. Croix River Watershed Board			PORTION (St. Croix River watershed along border)	New Brunswick and Maine, U.S.	2007	IJC Board	Board helps to prevent and resolve disputes along the transboundary waters of the St. Croix River that serves as a border between New Brunswick and the State of Maine. It is responsible for monitoring ecological health and ensuring that four dams comply with the Commission’s Orders of Approval.	https://www.ijc.org/en/scrwb	https://www.ijc.org/en/scrwb	Focus on quantity
57				St. Croix International Waterway Commission			PORTION (St. Croix River watershed along border)	New Brunswick and Maine, U.S.			Commission is an international partnership that strives to protect and enhance the health and heritage of the shared St. Croix waterway.	http://www.stcroix.org/		Focus on human, natural, and recreational heritage resources, international waterway management.
58					St. Croix International Waterway Management Plan		PORTION (St. Croix River watershed along border)	New Brunswick and Maine, U.S.	1993		Plan to jointly manage shared human, natural and recreational heritage along the St. Croix River (border between New Brunswick and Maine). Also sets management goals for environment and economic development, and management of transboundary waterway.	http://www.stcroix.org/what-we-do/management-plan		Focus on human, natural, and recreational heritage resources, international waterway management.
59	24	Maritime Coastal (NB, NS, PEI)	N					Maritime Provinces: New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island
60	25	Newfoundland and Labrador Watershed (NFLD, QC)	N					Newfoundland and Labrador
61
62		Does a watershed governance mechanism exist?
63		Yes- the whole watershed or a large portion is covered				Y	13	52%
64		Partial watershed is covered				Portion only	1	4%
65		No- a small portion or none of the watershed is covered				N	9	36%
66		Unknown (data deficient)				unknown	2	8%
67						TOTAL	25	100%
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