WHAT is the Ripple Effects Project: A shared story begins here
The Ripple Effects Project brings people into a shared story of protecting Calgary’s drinking water source. Starting at the Source, every ripple we create—every small choice we make—shapes the health of our rivers, our drinking water, our resilience to floods, and the well-being of our entire community. Our future and the river’s future flow together in one shared story.
The Ripple Effects Project invites you to see your role in this story—and to be part of protecting one of Calgary’s most vital natural systems.
WHY: Healthy rivers, healthy communities
The Elbow River flows into the Glenmore Reservoir—providing 40% of Calgary’s drinking water. Clean water begins with the choices we make upstream. Rivers are more than water, they are living systems that support entire ecosystems.
The Elbow River is susceptible to contaminants that can pollute our source water, impacting our water quality and drinking water safety. It is therefore critical to limit recreational use to passive and low impact activities to ensure high quality drinking water for Calgarians.
Vegetation along riverbanks filters pollution, absorbs and slows water, reduces erosion, and protects downstream communities. When we disturb these natural systems, we increase flood risk. When we protect them, we build resilience.
The Weaselhead Society values the protection of the Elbow River watershed, to ensure the
health of the ecosystem and to support the quality of our source water.
Short-term Outcomes:
- Increased awareness of water stewardship and riparian health and their important role in keeping Calgary’s drinking water clean and safe.
- Observed reduction in off-trail use as well as people and dogs swimming
- Increased adherence to responsible trail and pet behaviour
HOW you can help: Small actions, big impact
Sometimes, powerful changes come from consistent and small actions, the same way that a river can shape entire landscapes over time.
- Staying on designated trails helps to keep soil in place helping plants thrive and keeping water clear.
- Picking up pet waste helps keep harmful bacteria levels down in waterways supporting human health.
- Putting your dog on a leash and keeping them out of rivers and wetlands can make this wild space safe for beavers, muskrats, herons, and many more animals, increasing biodiversity and habitat resilience.
- Avoiding swimming in the Glenmore Reservoir, adjacent Wetlands and Elbow River to prevent the introduction of contaminants that impact the quality of the water.
HOW you can get involved: Experience the project
This is just the beginning of this project. Join us for guided nature walks, a mural unveiling, interactive pop-up booths, family friendly events, and ask us about our school programs and workshops.
Sign up for our E-Newletter to hear about upcoming events.
With support from the City of Calgary, the Ripple Effects project will bring opportunities to explore through stories, art and hands-on learning our connection to the Elbow River and our power as stewards to support healthy ecosystems.
When we care for the watershed, we care for each other.
This project has been made possible as a result of the support provided by The City of Calgary
