Archaeological heritage in watershed management and planning

Abstract

As fragile and inconspicuous components of the landscape, archaeological sites are often adversely affected by water management practises. Based, in part, on our recent experience in the Canada-Saskatchewan South Saskatchewan River Basin Study, this paper addresses integration of archaeological resource concerns into river basin planning and management. First, we review the nature, significance and legal status of archaeological heritage, and discuss the resource's susceptibility to damage from water-related development. Archaeological resource predictive modelling and “sensitivity mapping” are then discussed as means for ensuring more effective consideration of archaeological heritage in watershed planning and development. The nature and scope of archaeological resource impact assessment and management, which becomes part of plan implementation, is also briefly reviewed. Predictive modelling will help achieve environmentally sustainable water resource development by identifying potential heritage concerns early in the planning process enabling more informed decisionmaking. © 1991 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.