A sign describes the riparian restoration project in the Saamis Archaeological Site (CHAT News photo Brendan Miller)

By Brendan Miller

River restoration project showing positive environmental impact

Jun 15, 2023 | 4:31 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – The South East Alberta Watershed Alliance (SEAWA) says a conservation project that started five years ago is now having a positive effect on our river system.

A wall that runs along the pathway in the Saamis Archaeological Site prevents humans and their pets from trampling vegetation near the water.

It is known as a riparian area which is a strip of moisture-loving vegetation that grows along the edge of water.

Riparian areas are important because they help keep our water clean by utilizing extra nutrients. They also help to prevent riverbanks from eroding.

The riparian area in the Saamis Archaeological Site was damaged during the 2013 floods and further deteriorated as people accessed the site.

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In 2019 SEAWA partnered with the city to create a barrier and allow nature to regrow.

Marilou Montemayor, SEAWA executive director, says the area has almost fully recovered.

“This has been a great assessment that the vegetation has recovered. We actually didn’t do any active revegetation here. The city thought we’ll just isolate the cause and let’s see how vegetation recovers on its own,” explains Montemayor.

The water system is vital to provide producers with irrigation and is a natural habitat for pollinators.

Read more: Conservationists target three invasive species harmful to Medicine Hat