Goat River Watershed Sustainability Planning

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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.

Scroll down to take our Water Values Survey and see when an Open House is coming to your community!


The Engagement Approach

This work is grounded in Ktunaxa values, including ʔakxamis q̓api qapsin (all living beings), ʔukiniⱡwitiyaⱡa (many people working with one heart), and ʔit̓qawxawiȼikimik (everyone holds this belief together). It 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:

Phase 1: Listening and Learning—Survey open now!
We begin by opening a space for reflection and dialogue. A public 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. Our team will be at community events, including the Creston Valley Fall Fair and the Creston Farmers Market on September 27. Stop by our booth to learn more about this initiative, pick up a copy of the survey, and share what you’ve noticed about local water.


Phase 2: Exploring the Big Picture
We will create and share educational tools to help us understand key issues and trends. These materials will be featured at open houses in Canyon, Erickson, Kitchener, Lister, the Town of Creston, West Creston, and Wynndel.

Each open house will start with a drop-in session where you can explore the information displays about local water challenges, project goals, and watershed data.

About an hour in, there will be a short presentation to summarize this information, followed by a discussion period where you can ask questions and share your thoughts. Your input matters. See when we’ll be in your community and join the conversation at an upcoming open house:

  • Oct 22, 5:30–7:30 PM—Wynndel Community Centre (Presentation at 6:30 PM) In Arts Centre room

  • Oct 23, 7:00–9:00 AM—West Creston Community Hall (Presentation at 8:00 AM)

  • Oct 25, 9:00–11:00 AM—Creston & District Community Complex (Presentation at 10:00 AM)

  • Nov 1, 1:00–3:00 PM—Kitchener Community Hall (Presentation at 2:00 PM)

  • Nov 12, 5:30–7:30 PM—Erickson Elementary (Presentation at 6:30 PM)

  • Nov 13, 7:00–9:00 AM—Canyon Community Hall (Presentation at 8:00 AM)

We invite you to share your input on how we can work together toward a shared water future. Refreshments will be provided.


Phase 3: Imagining the Future Together
We will use storytelling and visuals to explore what’s possible. More details to come.


Phase 4: From Awareness to Action
Find ways to stay involved and support local solutions. More details to come.

This work is being done with yaqan nuʔkiy and guided by community input throughout. Check back here for updates, tools, and opportunities to get involved, because the future of water is something we all care for together.

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.

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.

Scroll down to take our Water Values Survey and see when an Open House is coming to your community!


The Engagement Approach

This work is grounded in Ktunaxa values, including ʔakxamis q̓api qapsin (all living beings), ʔukiniⱡwitiyaⱡa (many people working with one heart), and ʔit̓qawxawiȼikimik (everyone holds this belief together). It 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:

Phase 1: Listening and Learning—Survey open now!
We begin by opening a space for reflection and dialogue. A public 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. Our team will be at community events, including the Creston Valley Fall Fair and the Creston Farmers Market on September 27. Stop by our booth to learn more about this initiative, pick up a copy of the survey, and share what you’ve noticed about local water.


Phase 2: Exploring the Big Picture
We will create and share educational tools to help us understand key issues and trends. These materials will be featured at open houses in Canyon, Erickson, Kitchener, Lister, the Town of Creston, West Creston, and Wynndel.

Each open house will start with a drop-in session where you can explore the information displays about local water challenges, project goals, and watershed data.

About an hour in, there will be a short presentation to summarize this information, followed by a discussion period where you can ask questions and share your thoughts. Your input matters. See when we’ll be in your community and join the conversation at an upcoming open house:

  • Oct 22, 5:30–7:30 PM—Wynndel Community Centre (Presentation at 6:30 PM) In Arts Centre room

  • Oct 23, 7:00–9:00 AM—West Creston Community Hall (Presentation at 8:00 AM)

  • Oct 25, 9:00–11:00 AM—Creston & District Community Complex (Presentation at 10:00 AM)

  • Nov 1, 1:00–3:00 PM—Kitchener Community Hall (Presentation at 2:00 PM)

  • Nov 12, 5:30–7:30 PM—Erickson Elementary (Presentation at 6:30 PM)

  • Nov 13, 7:00–9:00 AM—Canyon Community Hall (Presentation at 8:00 AM)

We invite you to share your input on how we can work together toward a shared water future. Refreshments will be provided.


Phase 3: Imagining the Future Together
We will use storytelling and visuals to explore what’s possible. More details to come.


Phase 4: From Awareness to Action
Find ways to stay involved and support local solutions. More details to come.

This work is being done with yaqan nuʔkiy and guided by community input throughout. Check back here for updates, tools, and opportunities to get involved, because the future of water is something we all care for together.

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.

  • 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 Survey
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Page last updated: 08 Oct 2025, 12:20 PM