Episode Details

In episode 4 of the Water in Southern Alberta series, Dr. Trisha Stadnyk, a hydrologic modelling expert, discusses the intricacies of water modelling and its implications for future water availability and quality. The conversation highlights the challenges of integrating various models, such as climate, hydrology, and water resource management, to address local and global water issues. Dr. Stadnyk emphasizes the importance of adaptive risk-based management over traditional standards-based approaches, advocating for a shift towards resilience in water policy: a water first philosophy. The discussion also touches on the need for improved data collection and monitoring, particularly for groundwater and small streams, to enhance model accuracy and inform decision-making. The episode concludes with a call to action for individuals to become more aware of their water usage and for policymakers to prioritize water conservation and sustainable management practices. The podcast invites listeners to engage with these pressing issues and consider the broader implications of water management on future generations.

Introductions to Dr. Tricia Stadnyk

Welcome to The Gravity Well Podcast. I am your host, Jenny Yeremiy. Here you break down heavy ideas with me to understand their complexities and connections. Our mission is to work through dilemmas together in conversation and process. I acknowledge that I live on the traditional territory of Treaty seven and Metis districts five and six. The treaties and self-governance agreements established by indigenous peoples were created to honour the laws of the land, maintain balance with nature by giving back and uphold reciprocal relationships. This knowledge and intention are what guide The Gravity Well conversation. I ask for genuine dialogue, real hearts, and openness to different perspectives. This is your invitation to find common ground with me.

Jenny:

This podcast is dedicated to the natural world, our children, nieces, nephews, grandchildren, and all future generations. The Gravity Well is on YouTube and streaming wherever you get your podcasts. Join us@thegravitywall.net. Good morning everyone. It’s a sunny day in Calgary. It is lovely to have Dr. Trisha Stadnyk with us today to talk about the water cycle as well as some modelling. This is in the context of conversations we’ve been holding around Water in Southern Alberta. This is also, if you follow the show, episode 12 of season two, but it’s episode four of this series, this miniseries on water that Bob Morrison has been co-hosting with me. Why are we talking about water? Again, just that’s for the general public. We want people who are involved in water to feel empowered to have conversations about the future of water and where we’re headed. And also concerned citizens like myself, geoscientists, that are now very focused on water in our province.

We’ve had a few conversations so far, as I mentioned, the first was on the history of irrigation with Shannon Stunden Bower and Jordan Christianson. Then we’ve had a couple conversations so far on the environment. First on the impacts of resource extraction and then on the water laws and licence system. That’s where we’re at. And today, as I said, we’re going to talk about water modelling and the future of water availability and quality and quantity. And then after that we’re going to go into some stewardship conversations. And then in the fall we’re going to reconvene with some conversations around the future. I know Tricia, you just had a wonderful conversation with the Council of Canadians and in it you mentioned some recommendations which I’d love for you to touch on here, but obviously we want to potentially get deeper in the fall. Okay. I’m going to stop there and let Bob reintroduce himself for us and a little bit for this conversation and then we’ll get into