Two Alberta rivers 'most endangered'
Two Alberta rivers have made a list of the 10 most endangered waterways in the country.
The Milk River in the south-eastern corner of the province is ranked number six, while the Bow River, which flows through Calgary, is in 10th place, according to Earthwild International and Wildcanada.net.
| The country's most endangered rivers: |
| 1. Petitcodiac River, N.B. |
| 2. Eastmain River, Que. |
| 3. Okanagan River, B.C |
| 4. Taku River, Iskut River, B.C. |
| 5. Groundhog River, Ont. |
| 6. Milk River, Alta. |
| 7. Peel River, Yukon, NWT |
| 8. Red River, Man. |
| 9. Churchill River, Nfld. and Labrador |
| 10. Bow River, Alta. |
| Source: Earthwild International and Wildcanada.net |
The groups rate the environmental risk to Canada's 10 most threatened rivers, based on nominations from community groups, environmental groups and individuals.
"They fill out a form explaining the ecology of the river, the area it goes through, the threats to the river, and some action plans that they have that being on this list would help them further," Earthwild executive director Nola Poirier said.
The group ranked the Petitcodiac in New Brunswick as the most threatened river, while the Eastmain River in Northern Quebec is the second-most threatened, facing pressure from hydroelectric development.
Development, drainage and damming on the Okanagan River in British Columbia contributed to its third-place ranking. The report calls the Okanagan an ecological hotspot and says the basin is home to one of the country's greatest diversity of species.
The group also plans to release action plans outlining ways to help the rivers.