The Clearwater-Christina Canadian Heritage River was designated as a Canadian Heritage River [CHR] in 2004. It was the first, and currently the only, designation in Alberta located outside of the national parks. Combined with the earlier designation of the upper Clearwater River in Saskatchewan [1987], the entire Clearwater River is included in this interprovincial CHRS designation. All of the CHRS criteria – natural and cultural heritage values and recreational values – are considered significant and thus played an important role in the Clearwater-Christina River nomination and designation.
Little change has been experienced in the natural and cultural heritage values and recreational values of the river corridor that underpin the nomination due to its relatively remote location, relatively low levels of use and the appropriate management of industrial land use development in the Fort McMurray area. Indeed very positive influences on the area resulting from the Lower Athabasca Regional Plan [2012], especially the identification of a new conservation area, demonstrate the commitment to CHRS values in the river corridor. Therefore, this report has determined that the resource values for which the Clearwater-Christina Canadian Heritage River was nominated are still able to support the designation.