New Geoscience BC Data Supports Water Research and Management in Northeast BC
Vancouver, BC – May 2, 2024 – Water quantity, quality and climate research in Northeast BC have received a boost from a new dataset and report published by Geoscience BC. Settler and Indigenous data gathered by this project support the foundational research required for a net-zero emissions economy.
The completion of the Pilot Collaborative Water Monitoring Program, Northeast BC provides a dataset and assessment of water quantity/quality and climate monitoring from five sites on the territories of Treaty 8 First Nations. It provides foundational research to inform land-based management by industry, governments, Indigenous groups and communities.
Between 2021 and 2023, co-located hydrometric water stations, groundwater monitoring wells and climate stations were installed, monitored and maintained at sites chosen in consultation with participating Treaty 8 First Nations. Halfway River First Nation and McLeod Lake Indian Band also provided cultural indicators associated with water quantity and quality at monitoring sites in a first step towards a “two-eyed seeing” approach that combines settler and Indigenous science.
Josie Osborne, Minister of Energy Mines and Low Carbon Innovation: “This Pilot Program illustrates how important it is to work collaboratively with First Nations to further our understanding of water resources. This critical research is supported by data from five distinct sites in the Northeast and integrates traditional knowledge from the participating Treaty 8 Nations. It will help communities and industry make informed decisions about land and water management, ensuring a more sustainable environment for people now and for future generations.”
Ryan Rolick, Hydrologist, BC Energy Regulator: “The BC Energy Regulator is happy to have been a leading member in this program, adding to the catalogue of streamflow data in northeast BC. We look forward to continuing to build trust and strengthen the relationships built with the participating Nations.”
Randy Hughes, Manager, Energy and Water, Geoscience BC: “As Northeast BC is an area of active and historic natural gas development, the baseline data resulting from the monitoring of groundwater, surface water and climate, along with the recording of cultural indicators, can be beneficial to future research by government, regulators, energy companies, communities, Indigenous groups, academia and non-governmental organizations.”
Accessing information
To view the reports and maps, visit the following program page or view the information on Geoscience BC's Earth Science Viewer online mapping application.
View program page View Earth Science Viewer
About Geoscience BC
Geoscience BC's independent, public geoscience is a first link in the supply chain for Canada's net-zero emissions economy.
Our critical minerals and metals, cleaner energy and geological carbon capture and storage research is funded by industry, government and other partners. It informs evidence-based decisions by industry, governments, Indigenous groups and communities.
Geoscience BC is guided by a volunteer Board of Directors, technical and Indigenous volunteers and by Geoscience BC members. We are a not-for-profit society incorporated under the BC Societies Act.
We gratefully acknowledge the financial support of our partners, including the Province of British Columbia through the Ministry of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation.
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For more information, please contact:
Richard Truman
Geoscience BC
604-662-4147 / 778-929-1662