Goat River Watershed Water Sustainability Planning
Overview
Water Sustainability in the Goat River Watershed
The Regional District of Central Kootenay (RDCK), in collaboration with yaqan nuʔkiy, is doing water sustainability planning to respond to growing concerns about water availability in the Goat River Watershed (includes the communities of Canyon, Erickson, Kitchener, Lister, Town of Creston, West Creston, Wynndel, and yaqan nuʔkiy). This effort aims to protect the health and resilience of the local watersheds that support communities, ecosystems, and economies.
This page will keep you informed about the project’s progress and provide opportunities to participate through surveys, conversations, and events. Your input will help shape a locally grounded approach to watershed sustainability that reflects the values and needs of the region. Below are some simple ways to stay informed and share your perspective:
Join our mailing list
Take the Water Values Survey
Explore the 3D Goat River Watershed Map
Latest News
Geneviève Bergeron supports producer outreach for the Goat River Watershed project and will be spending time in the Creston Valley in March and April, connecting one-on-one with producers.
Her role is focused on listening and learning. She is interested in understanding how water availability, timing, and aging infrastructure affect real farming decisions today and into the future.
With a background in conservation ecology, watershed stewardship, invasive species management, silviculture, horticulture, and hands on restoration work through RDCK Parks, Geneviève brings a practical, people centered approach that values local experience and on the ground knowledge as essential to good water planning.
Geneviève is here to listen, learn from producers’ observations and concerns, and help open conversations about practical solutions and future focused innovations.
Book a call or in person meeting with Gen
Email: GBergeron@rdck.bc.ca
Phone: 250 321 6827
Engagement Approach
This work reflects a shared commitment to respectful relationships, deep listening, and collaborative solutions that consider both Indigenous and local knowledge systems.
We’re inviting the public, interest groups, and local leaders to take part in a series of conversations, campaigns, and storytelling activities. Engagement will unfold over four phases:
How To Get Involved
Connectors host conversations with family, friends, or neighbours about water. These kitchen-table discussions are a chance to explore local issues, hear perspectives, and share ideas for action. Explore the Kitchen Table Discussion Guide (under the Documents tab)
Storytellers share their personal connection to water, whether through memories, observations of change, or hopes for the future. Stories may appear in reports, on social media, or on the RDCK website. Reach out to Camille to set up an interview or share your story over email to cleblanc@rdck.bc.ca
Contributors share their voice through the Water Values Survey, forums, or conversations. Your input helps build understanding of water sustainability in the Goat River Watershed. You’re also encouraged to join our mailing list for updates, resources, and future opportunities.
Learners are eager to deepen their understanding of what it takes to build a sustainable water future in the Goat River Watershed. Join ourmailing list.
Background
All beings in the region are increasingly affected by the impacts and pressures on water systems. In recent years, the area has experienced diminishing water supplies, dry wells, crop losses from heat, flooding, and shifting pest patterns due to milder winters.
In May 2024, yaqan nuʔkiy and the RDCK sent a letter to the Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship (WLRS) requesting support for this work and expressing interest in creating a Water Sustainability Plan. WLRS responded with support, recognizing the need for a new, collaborative approach to watershed stewardship in the valley.
Funders
- Watershed Security Fund
- Union of BC Municipalities: Community to Community
- Investment Agriculture Foundation BC
Thank you for your support
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the reason why the RDCK considers the Goat River a sensitive ecosystem?
The Goat River Watershed is considered a sensitive ecosystem because it provides critical ecological and hydrological functions that directly influence community water supply, fish habitat, and agricultural productivity. The watershed supports surface and groundwater systems that are hydrologically connected to the Canyon (0489) and East Creston/Lister (0488) aquifer, both of which are provincially recognized as at-risk drinking water sources and agricultural supply areas. See a breakdown of the research we are referencing here (page 3)
Has the Creston Valley Alternative Water Supply Feasibility Study considered water quality as well as quantity when assessing the Kootenay River as a potential irrigation source, and has any water quality testing been done?
The Creston Valley Alternative Water Supply Feasibility Study https://engage.rdck.ca/cvstudy examined the technical potential of supplementing irrigation water from the Kootenay River, recognizing that existing allocations from Goat River and Arrow Creek are nearing capacity during low-flow periods.
These findings underscore that further site-specific testing would be required before making a final selection of the Kootenay River as an irrigation source. The study reference can be found here: The Creston Centralized Water Feasibility Study (2025, DRAFT) details these assessments, including flow modelling and source water analysis. [RDCK Draft Report, Feb 2025]
Links
Documents
Newsletters
Survey
Water Values Survey
Water shapes everyday life in the Goat River Watershed. From our homes to our farms, clean and reliable water supports everything we do, whether it’s flowing through fields, running from our taps, or feeding forests. But how we see and experience water is different for everyone. We want to hear from you. This short, five-minute survey is your chance to share a bit about yourself, what you’ve noticed, what you value, and what matters most when it comes to our local water supply. Your input is anonymous and will help guide future conversations and deepen our shared understanding of water in the Goat River Watershed.
Take the SurveyWater Sustainability in the Goat River Watershed
The Regional District of Central Kootenay (RDCK), in collaboration with yaqan nuʔkiy, is doing water sustainability planning to respond to growing concerns about water availability in the Goat River Watershed (includes the communities of Canyon, Erickson, Kitchener, Lister, Town of Creston, West Creston, Wynndel, and yaqan nuʔkiy). This effort aims to protect the health and resilience of the local watersheds that support communities, ecosystems, and economies.
This page will keep you informed about the project’s progress and provide opportunities to participate through surveys, conversations, and events. Your input will help shape a locally grounded approach to watershed sustainability that reflects the values and needs of the region. Below are some simple ways to stay informed and share your perspective:
Join our mailing list
Take the Water Values Survey
Explore the 3D Goat River Watershed Map
Latest News
Geneviève Bergeron supports producer outreach for the Goat River Watershed project and will be spending time in the Creston Valley in March and April, connecting one-on-one with producers.
Her role is focused on listening and learning. She is interested in understanding how water availability, timing, and aging infrastructure affect real farming decisions today and into the future.
With a background in conservation ecology, watershed stewardship, invasive species management, silviculture, horticulture, and hands on restoration work through RDCK Parks, Geneviève brings a practical, people centered approach that values local experience and on the ground knowledge as essential to good water planning.
Geneviève is here to listen, learn from producers’ observations and concerns, and help open conversations about practical solutions and future focused innovations.
Book a call or in person meeting with Gen
Email: GBergeron@rdck.bc.ca
Phone: 250 321 6827
Engagement Approach
This work reflects a shared commitment to respectful relationships, deep listening, and collaborative solutions that consider both Indigenous and local knowledge systems.
We’re inviting the public, interest groups, and local leaders to take part in a series of conversations, campaigns, and storytelling activities. Engagement will unfold over four phases:
How To Get Involved
Connectors host conversations with family, friends, or neighbours about water. These kitchen-table discussions are a chance to explore local issues, hear perspectives, and share ideas for action. Explore the Kitchen Table Discussion Guide (under the Documents tab)
Storytellers share their personal connection to water, whether through memories, observations of change, or hopes for the future. Stories may appear in reports, on social media, or on the RDCK website. Reach out to Camille to set up an interview or share your story over email to cleblanc@rdck.bc.ca
Contributors share their voice through the Water Values Survey, forums, or conversations. Your input helps build understanding of water sustainability in the Goat River Watershed. You’re also encouraged to join our mailing list for updates, resources, and future opportunities.
Learners are eager to deepen their understanding of what it takes to build a sustainable water future in the Goat River Watershed. Join ourmailing list.
Background
All beings in the region are increasingly affected by the impacts and pressures on water systems. In recent years, the area has experienced diminishing water supplies, dry wells, crop losses from heat, flooding, and shifting pest patterns due to milder winters.
In May 2024, yaqan nuʔkiy and the RDCK sent a letter to the Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship (WLRS) requesting support for this work and expressing interest in creating a Water Sustainability Plan. WLRS responded with support, recognizing the need for a new, collaborative approach to watershed stewardship in the valley.
Funders
- Watershed Security Fund
- Union of BC Municipalities: Community to Community
- Investment Agriculture Foundation BC
Thank you for your support
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the reason why the RDCK considers the Goat River a sensitive ecosystem?
The Goat River Watershed is considered a sensitive ecosystem because it provides critical ecological and hydrological functions that directly influence community water supply, fish habitat, and agricultural productivity. The watershed supports surface and groundwater systems that are hydrologically connected to the Canyon (0489) and East Creston/Lister (0488) aquifer, both of which are provincially recognized as at-risk drinking water sources and agricultural supply areas. See a breakdown of the research we are referencing here (page 3)
Has the Creston Valley Alternative Water Supply Feasibility Study considered water quality as well as quantity when assessing the Kootenay River as a potential irrigation source, and has any water quality testing been done?
The Creston Valley Alternative Water Supply Feasibility Study https://engage.rdck.ca/cvstudy examined the technical potential of supplementing irrigation water from the Kootenay River, recognizing that existing allocations from Goat River and Arrow Creek are nearing capacity during low-flow periods.
These findings underscore that further site-specific testing would be required before making a final selection of the Kootenay River as an irrigation source. The study reference can be found here: The Creston Centralized Water Feasibility Study (2025, DRAFT) details these assessments, including flow modelling and source water analysis. [RDCK Draft Report, Feb 2025]
Who's listening
Key Dates
We began by opening a space for reflection and dialogue. The Water Values survey invites you to share how you feel about the state of water and your personal observations. The goal is to listen and learn from a wide range of experiences and voices.
Each open house began with a drop-in session where residents explored information displays highlighting local water challenges, project goals, and watershed data. A short presentation followed, summarizing the information and providing context for the project. Participants then took part in facilitated discussions, where they asked questions, shared local knowledge, and provided input on water priorities and concerns.
This work was carried out in partnership with yaqan nuʔkiy and was guided by community input throughout the process. Updates, educational tools, and future engagement opportunities will continue to be shared here as the project moves forward.
Open houses were hosted between October 22 – November 12, 2025 in Wynndel, West Creston, Town of Creston, Kitchener, Canyon and Erickson.
Producers were invited to a Lunch and Learn on January 8 at Jimmy’s Pub to talk about water, agriculture, and planning for water sustainability in the Goat River Watershed. Participants heard from local experts, shared their experiences, and helped shape the future of the Goat River Watershed.
All were invited to join the RDCK at the Creston Valley Visitor Centre for the unveiling of the 3D model of the Goat River Watershed. Visitors explored the landscape through the 3D model, viewed place names in both Ktunaxa and English, and had the opportunity to drop in, take a closer look, and chat about the land and water that connect the community.
