Monitoring Collaborative

In 2021, ERA spearheaded an initiative to bring together representatives from groups with a vested interest in maintaining Elk River watershed health to start a collaborative monitoring program. The aim of this program is to create an independent, credible water quality, quantity and aquatic habitat monitoring program to build an understanding of the health of the watershed and inform management actions.

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Flowing from alpine lakes in the Canadian Rockies, the Elk River winds southwest through the Elk Valley before joining Lake Koocanusa and the Columbia River. The valley, known as Qukin ʔAmakʔis or “land of the raven,” is part of the traditional territory of the Ktunaxa Nation. Its waters and lands sustain people, fish, and wildlife, providing cultural, economic, and ecological benefits far beyond the valley.

The river connects habitats from the Yukon to the southern United States and supports species like Westslope cutthroat trout and bull trout. Westslope cutthroat trout, listed in 2005 as a species of special concern in British Columbia, finds critical habitat in the Elk River. Anglers from near and far visit its waters, making it one of Canada’s top dry fly-fishing destinations and contributing over five million dollars annually to the local economy.

For more than a century, the Elk Valley has balanced economic growth with natural beauty. Coal mining and forestry provide jobs, while residents and visitors enjoy recreation, wildlife, and the river’s landscapes. Today, the Elk River faces multiple threats, including mining, logging, linear development, invasive species, agriculture, recreational pressures, and climate change.

While mine-related monitoring has been ongoing for years, gaps remain in understanding water quality, fish, and habitats. The Elk River Monitoring Collaborative, led by ERA, brings together Indigenous Nations, government, industry, scientists, and the community to ensure monitoring is thorough, transparent, and protects the river and all who rely on it.

ERA is the coordinating organization behind the Collaborative and continues to guide its development by supporting shared decision-making, building relationships among partners, and ensuring that monitoring efforts are aligned, transparent, and scientifically robust.

Who’s a part of the Collaborative?

As an independent, community-based nonprofit, ERA plays a key role in maintaining trust and objectivity within the Collaborative. We contribute our own water quality and habitat monitoring data, help identify gaps in knowledge, support consistent monitoring methods, and work to make information accessible to all partners. ERA also acts as a connector, making sure that diverse perspectives and knowledge systems, including Indigenous knowledge, community observations, and scientific research, are reflected in the monitoring process.

A major part of ERA’s contribution is translating complex watershed data into clear, understandable information for the public. Through reports, outreach, education programs, and community events, we help people learn what the data show about local water quality, river flows, climate impacts, and ecosystem health. By making monitoring results meaningful and accessible, ERA ensures that the Collaborative’s work supports informed decision-making, stronger stewardship, and a healthier future for the Elk River and the communities that depend on it.

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