Mackenzie River Basin Bi-Lateral Water Management Agreement

The Water Security Agency (WSA) – on behalf of the Government of Saskatchewan – is finalizing a Bi-lateral Water Management Agreement (BWMA) with Alberta, under the Mackenzie River Basin Transboundary Waters Master Agreement. The BWMA will establish a framework for cooperative transboundary water management between Saskatchewan and Alberta within the Mackenzie River Basin. The BWMA will create guidelines for the coordinated management of shared water bodies to maintain the ecological integrity of aquatic ecosystems.

History of the Mackenzie River Basin Transboundary Waters Master Agreement

The Mackenzie River Basin Transboundary Waters Master Agreement (Master Agreement) was signed in 1997 by the governments of Canada, Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia, Yukon and Northwest Territories. Each of the governments has jurisdiction over activities, such as monitoring weather, water flow, fish populations, and industrial developments in their respective jurisdictional areas.

This will be the first bi-lateral agreement signed between Saskatchewan and Alberta under the Mackenzie River Basin Transboundary Waters Master Agreement. Completing the BWMA will affirm the principles direction within the larger Master Agreement.

Working to finalize the BWMA demonstrates our commitment to sustainable economic growth and responsible resource management, positioning Saskatchewan as a leader in sustainable development and laying a solid foundation for a prosperous and environmentally conscious future for everyone in the north.

Transboundary Agreements

Saskatchewan is part of four other Transboundary Agreements, located in the following regions:

• Souris River Basin (Saskatchewan, Manitoba and North Dakota)
• Poplar River Basin (Saskatchewan, Montana and North Dakota)
• St. Mary’s Milk River Watershed (Saskatchewan, Alberta, Montana)
• East flowing rivers in the Hudson Bay drainage area (Saskatchewan, Alberta and Manitoba)

These agreements have established common principles for cooperative management of shared water resources, including rivers, lakes and aquifers.

All boards, including the Mackenzie River Basin Board, do not have legislative enforcement powers. They provide a forum to promote interprovincial cooperation and discuss and resolve issues amongst jurisdictions.

Feedback

To help inform the Mackenzie River Basin Bi-Lateral Water Management Agreement, the Governments of Saskatchewan and Alberta launched public and Indigenous engagement in August 2024. The goal was to seek input to ensure the agreement considers the perspectives of Indigenous communities, stakeholders and the public.

Fact Sheet

Saskatchewan – Alberta Bilateral Water Management Agreement Fact Sheet

Contact Us

If you have questions, comments please email client.service@wsask.ca or phone 866.727.5420.