Water security through community-directed monitoring in the Canadian Columbia Basin: democratizing watershed data

Abstract

ABSTRACT The Columbia Basin Water Monitoring Framework (CBWMF) aims to help quantify the impacts of climate change on freshwater sources in the Canadian Columbia Basin. By involving stakeholders and prioritizing monitoring based on scientific and community criteria, the CBWMF provides a localized solution to water management challenges. The framework’s approach enhances sustainability, promotes regional water protection, and enables informed decision-making at various scales. The CBWMF can serve as a model for similar networks in river basins across the globe.