2. The Beaver Creek Watershed Group Driven by Nature, Powered by Producers Presented and prepared by Dixon Hammond coordinator for the BCWG

3. Where Is Beaver Creek?

4. Located in the Porcupine Hills of Southwestern Alberta It runs through four jurisdictions Beaver Creek is a major tributary of the Oldman river.

12. The BCWG Why It All Began

13. 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

14. Historically Thick brush Wildlife shade Good fish habitat Excellent camping Water made it to river more years than not.

15. Recently 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

16. What do you mean I can’t graze the snot out of this?

17. Land Owners Began Talking Reminiscing Wondering what the real problem was. High water Drought Too many livestock Beaver damage A combination of all

18. Where Do We Start?

19. 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.” Simple cowboy logic. Kevin Poll

20. What Should Be Done? How should we do it? We truly were stuck for the answers. Only Consensus: do something collectively.

21. 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

22. Projects Completed 10 off stream water developments 1 Cow herd wintering site relocation 1 Ranch plan An education component

23. 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

24. Challenges Yet to Face 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

25. Hints to Our Success 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

26. 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……

27. Our Replacements

28. Driven By Nature

29. 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