Our journey starts in the Alberta Rockies where snow and ice melt plunges off the alpine slopes to form the major tributaries of the South Saskatchewan River System. Local water supplies play a major part in the evolution of settlements on the prairies. Water from the river supports a host of uses: irrigation, livestock, energy developments and citiesl. Cropland has changed the interaction of the soils and the water. Runoff carries agricultural chemicals from farm fields to the river, degrading the water quality, and the aquatic ecosystem. The upland ecosystem responds to wet and dry years, and erratic climatic events influence the intensity of pest and disease outbreaks on agricultural lands. Studies of tree rings in the Cypress Hills clearly show that for centuries, climate and river are intimately linked. To be successful, human activity must recognize and respect these links.

Segment Breakdown

• Resources 8:27
• Agriculture 4:12
• Population 6:08
• Disease 2:18
• Okanagan Quantity 2:17
• Okanagan Quality 2:52
• Climate Change 1:32

Production Stills:

Ken Hall with Jim Byrne near Abbotsford, B.C.

Hans Schreier addresses the impacts of urbanization in the lower mainland in this episode of Water Under Fire.

The crew, along with Jeff Curtis, toiling away on a long shoot day at Mission Hill winery in Kelowna

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