Ripple Effects: The Role of Data and Collaboration in Alberta's Water Challenges by Mount Royal University

Water is a fundamental resource that shapes ecosystems, industries, and individuals. However, managing this currently plentiful resource in Alberta is increasingly complex due to the impacts of climate change, population growth, and a diverse network of stakeholders with varied and competing interests. While Alberta has significant water resources, effective management is challenged by fragmented decision-making, siloed collaboration, and limited coordination among key actors.
This work explores these challenges through a series of systems maps that make visible the complexities of water governance in Southern Alberta. Grounded in a literature review, subject matter expert interviews, and site visitations, this research highlights critical gaps and leverage points for systemic change. The maps begin with an overview of underlying issues, followed by an actor map illustrating stakeholder relationships, a causal map tracing cause-and-effect dynamics, and a contextual map surrounding some opportunities for systemic change. By visualizing these interconnections, this project aims to make visible the challenges facing water in Southern Alberta.