The Beaver Creek Watershed
Group
Driven by Nature, Powered by
Producers
Presented and prepared by Dixon Hammond coordinator
for the BCWG
Where Is Beaver Creek?
Located in the Porcupine Hills of
Southwestern Alberta
• It runs through four jurisdictions
• Beaver Creek is a major tributary of the
Oldman river.
The BCWG
Why It All Began
Beaver Creek Is a Unique Creek
• Approximately 22 miles long
• Drops in elevation from 5600ft to 3400ft
• Helps to sustain near 40 ranches, farms and
dwellings
• Provides for many recreational activities
• Recently is becoming home for new people
• Water supply is dependent upon springs
Historically
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Thick brush
Wildlife
shade
Good fish habitat
Excellent camping
Water made it to
river more years
than not.
Recently
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Drought
Fewer trees and shrubs
Fewer large fish
Poorer water quality
Some wild life no
longer present
• Lower two thirds of
the creek bone dry
What do you
mean I can’t
graze the snot
out of this?
Land Owners Began Talking
• Reminiscing
• Wondering what the
real problem was.
• High water
• Drought
• Too many livestock
• Beaver damage
• A combination of all
Where Do We Start?
Goal Setting
“You don’t want to be driving down the
scenery looking at the road! You need to
look to where you want to go and ride to it.”
Kevin Poll
Simple cowboy logic.
What Should Be Done?
How should we do it? We truly were stuck
for the answers. Only Consensus: do
something collectively.
COMMUNITY RIPARIAN PROGRAM
ALBERTA CONSERVATION ASSOC.
DEPT. OF FISHERIES AND OCEANS
COWS AND FISH
M.D. OF PINCHER CREEK
SOUTHWEST ALBERTA CONSERVATION PARTNERSHIP
ALBERTA ENVIRONMENT SUSTAINABLE
AGRICULTURE
ALBERTA SUSTAINABLE RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
OLDMAN RIVER BASIN WATER QUALITY INITIATIVE
Projects Completed
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10 off stream water developments
1 Cow herd wintering site relocation
1 Ranch plan
An education component
Volunteer Action
• Volunteered time to develop projects
• Most ranchers will do the work for nothing
• Bottom line: largest cash expenses were
paid for
• Landowners were excited
Challenges Yet to Face
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Water Quality
Additional Recommendation reports
More Funding Requests
More water projects
One more jurisdiction to bring on side
Education: Focusing on good riparian health
and promoting it
Hints to Our Success
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WE approached Agency/Industry
WE are committed and have cooperation
WE formed a working group
WE keep things private and confidential
WE still hold the reins
What Keeps Us Going
• The volunteer effort of this group is second
to none.
• We know we have a stronger voice together
than separate.
• The benefits are for everyone
• The real driving force Behind us is……
Our Replacements
Driven By Nature
Credits
Photo credit goes to
Lorne Fitch
Michael Gerrand
Kelly Cooley
Scott and Edwina Hammond
Myra Hammond
Bill and Dale Lillico
David Glass and Heidi Eijgel
Further information: contact
Beaver Creek Watershed
Group C/O
Dixon Hammond
Box 2909 Pincher Creek
AB. T0K 1W0
LXBarranch@hotmail.com
403 627 2801
This slide show dedicated to the memory of David MacLean