Inter-Provincial Partnership proceeds with development of Stream Erosion Module
The Plan for the Future
In November 2009, the British Columbia Inter-Governmental Partnership (BCIGP) and Alberta Low Impact Development Partnership (ALIDP) jointly released a blueprint document titled Water Balance Model for Canada – The Plan for the Future.
“Several new modules will be added in 2010 – 2011, including the Stream Erosion Module. We are pleased to announce that Canada Mortgage & Housing Corporation 
(CMHC) and Environment Canada have provided funding for this module. This new capability will be functional by mid-2010,” announces Ted van der Gulik, Chair of the Inter-Provincial Partnership (IPP). He is also BCIGP Chair.
“The scope of work involves extending the QUALHYMO engine and WBM interface so as to enable assessment of natural stream sections and development of an erosion index for watershed scenario comparison and development of mitigation methodologies.”
Stream Erosion Module
“Erosion is a key factor in water resources management. A principal result of increased volumes and rates of flow associated with urbanization is the consequent increase in stream erosion,” states Jim Dumont, Engineering Applications Authority for the Inter-Provincial Partnership.
“This can be an economically important factor as maintenance and hydraulic capacity is affected, and it can also be an ecologically important factor as habitat is impaired through degradation, aggregation and increased suspended solids transport.”
“Managing this effect has become a clear requirement that can be addressed through use of the Water Balance Model to assess and to establish mitigation techniques within the watershed.”
Simulation of Irregular Channel Shapes
“To enable this, what is needed is the ability to simulate and assess irregular natural channels along with the potential for erosion and the change in that potential resulting 
from alteration of the watershed through urban development,” continues Dr. Charles Rowney, Scientific Authority for the Water Balance Model.
“The QUALHYMO engine has some basic capabilities to assess a uniform trapezoidal section, so extending the model to enable irregular channel simulation is a direct extension of what is already within the tool. This is not a trivial extension, because the requirement is much more complex than what is already in the model, but the existing capabilities are proven and the path forward is clear.”
“The basic relations that need to be considered are shear force, Stream Power, and Stream Impulse.”
About the Inter-Provincial Partnership
In 2008, the British Columbia Inter-Governmental Partnership (BCIGP) and Alberta Low Impact Development Partnership (ALIDP) formalized an Inter-Provincial Partnership to advance green infrastructure practices that achieve water sustainability outcomes.
The BCIGP comprises numerous local governments in four regions of BC, three provincial Ministries, and three federal agencies. In addition, the Real Estate Foundation of British Columbia has been a major funder and collaborator.
ALIDP is a not-for-profit group that includes different municipalities, universities, corporations and individuals working collaboratively.
The BCIGP and ALIDP had been collaborating on an informal basis since 2004. It was the Water Balance Model for Canada that brought the two provincial groups together. The Inter-Provincial Partnership also has a working relationship with the Toronto & Region Conservation Authority (TRCA).
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