Over-River Bison Deterrent Fencing

Parks Canada is proposing to install over-water aerial fencing at three locations to deter free-ranging bison that enter the park from travelling beyond the park boundary. The fencing will consist of anchored towers installed upland of the ordinary high-water mark of the streams with a cable extended between. The height of the cable spanning each watercourse will be adjustable through changes to the cable tension at each tower. Hanging from the cable at intervals of approximately 10 inches will be vertical members extending down towards the water, which will remain outside of the streams at all times and not impede navigability or fish passage. Stream crossings will be located at the park boundary on the Waterton River, Belly River and Crooked Creek. Regular inspections by Parks Canada personnel will ensure the over-water fencing remains at an acceptable height throughout the year to achieve its objective of deterring bison passage without impeding navigation in the streams. There will be no instream work associated with the project and all over-river fence structures will be located above-ground. Sections of 5-strand barbed wire fence will also be installed at each location to connect the over-river fence structures to an existing park boundary fence.

Latest update

July 17 2025 – The public comment period on the project is closed. Parks Canada is considering comments received to help inform its determination on whether the carrying out of the project is likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects.

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Key documents

Key documents
Document Number Document Title File Date
1 New project being assessed by Parks Canada - Public comments invited from June 17 2025 to July 17 2025 - June 17, 2025

Contacts

Waterton Lakes National Park
Box 200
Waterton Park, Alberta T0K 2M0
Email: evaluationdimpactwaterton-watertonimpactassessment@pc.gc.ca


Disclaimer

This map is for illustrative purposes. The markers represent the approximate locations based on available data. More than one marker may be identified for a given assessment.

  • Location

    • Waterton Lakes National Park of Canada (Alberta)

  • Nature of Activity

    • Bridges
    • Maintenance activities (fences, walls)

  • Assessment Status

    In progress

  • Start Date

    2025-06-17

  • Proponent

    Parks Canada

  • Authorities

    • Parks Canada Agency

  • Assessment Type

    Project on federal lands

  • Reference Number

    89649

Nearby assessments

...within 200 kilometres
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