Participatory water management modelling in the Athabasca River Basin

Abstract Water is often used for a variety of conflicting purposes. Furthermore, as water is a dynamic resource, its equitable allocation across boundaries often poses problems for involved stakeholders. Integrated water resource management (IWRM) aims to promote the coordinated management of water across all boundaries. In theory IWRM is an effective solution to address multiple conflicting uses: however, in practice it is difficult to implement. This paper presents a case-study of an IWRM initiative in which the key component of participatory modelling is played out. Other important processes are integrated as well, such as problem structuring, social learning, and stakeholder engagement. In 2016-2017, approximately 30 stakeholders representing industry, municipalities, environmental NGOs, and federal/provincial government collaborated in order to explore opportunities to achieve sustainable watershed management in the Athabasca River Basin, Alberta Canada. Stress scenarios (including potential changes in climate, land use, and water use) were developed and used to test a series of water management strategies throughout the basin. These strategies were simulated within an integrated modelling tool in a live setting. Through this interactive process, promising strategies for sustainable water management were explored, and a series of recommendations for policy makers were identified. Recommendations include, but are not limited to, identifying areas for land conservation and reclamation priority, establishing in-stream flow need targets, and reducing water navigation limitations in the lower basin. Outlined through this paper, this case-study shows that examples of real-world participatory modelling efforts are in fact possible.