Introduction

The Red Deer River is a major river in southern Alberta. Its headwaters region is important for wildlife habitat and for south central Alberta's water security in terms of surface water and ground water quality and quantity. In the Parkland and Grassland Natural Regions downstream, the water-influenced land adjacent to the river (known as the riparian zone) provides a relative abundance of vegetation in this dry area of the province that is crucial to the life stages of many birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians. The river also supports a high diversity of fish species.

The Red Deer River headwaters start in the Rocky Mountains of Banff National Park near Lake Louise.  The river is fed primarily by snow melt, only minimally by glacial melt, and has numerous inflowing tributaries. The 724 km long Red Deer River traverses five of Alberta’s natural regions: Rocky Mountains, Foothills, Boreal, Parkland and Grassland.  It is truly an Alberta born river - as soon as it crosses the Saskatchewan border it flows into the South Saskatchewan River, which becomes part of the Hudson Bay Watershed. There are 15 sub-watersheds of the Red Deer River drainage system.

The first part of the river runs through the foothills with all the vigour of a young deer.  Below the town of Sundre it becomes a calmer river and flows into Glennifer Lake, which is the reservoir of the Dickson Dam, the only dam along the Red Deer River.  From then on the Dickson Dam regulates the flow of the Red Deer River to make water available for industry, farming, irrigation and urban use downstream. When the river turns sharply to the south at Content Bridge near the hamlet of Nevis, the valley opens up with impressive scenery, healthy vegetation and wildlife. The geology and history of this section of the river is fascinating, as water continues to expose the layers of earth.

Red Deer River - Photo: D Olson

Status

Tolman Heritage Rangelands, on both sides of the river, stretch from Content Bridge to Bleriot Ferry just north of the town of Drumheller. These rangelands cover an area of 5945 ha of ranching and agricultural land.  Although this area is classified as Heritage Rangelands, there is no full designation under the Heritage Range Lands Act, and therefore no restriction on grazing leases.  In addition, public access to public lands requires permission from the lessee.

The River runs through Dry Island Buffalo Jump Provincial Park, Midland Provincial Park and the well-known Dinosaur Provincial Park, which is also a UNESCO World Heritage site. Within the watershed is the Rumsey Natural Area, Rumsey Ecological Area, Hand Hills Ecological Area, Little Fish Lake Provincial Park, Horseshoe Canyon Provincial Recreation Area, Finnigan-Steveville Terraces and Buffalo-Dune Point Terraces.  All of these are identified as Environmentally Significant Areas.

Vision

For the well-being of all living things, the Red Deer River has healthy natural ecosystems. Headwaters are protected and well-managed to ensure abundant clean surface water and sustained groundwater recharge. Intact wetlands are preserved and significant drained wetland areas are restored. The water-influenced lands adjacent to the river (riparian zones) support abundant native vegetation that sustains many species and forms a connective corridor for species migration. Sensitive valley slopes are protected by adequate buffer zones and grazing best management practices. Water quality downstream of the City of Red Deer is good to excellent due to agricultural, energy, municipal and recreation best management practices.