Nature That Works
Benefits and performance of natural infrastructure for water management on the Canadian Prairies
Across the Canadian Prairies, natural infrastructure can contribute to meeting water management needs, while also providing social, economic, and environmental benefits. This publication explores how nature can work with existing water infrastructure to create a stronger, more sustainable future.
Key Findings
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Natural infrastructure can support better water management on the Canadian Prairies. Natural assets, like restored and conserved wetlands provide flood control, drought resilience, and water quality improvements. Constructed assets like green roofs manage stormwater, especially during heavy rainfall
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Our research describes the key water-related benefits and performance of 17 types of natural infrastructure relevant to the Canadian Prairies. These include eight natural assets—both conserved and restored ecosystems—and nine constructed assets.
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Climate change means that communities can expect more frequent, higher-intensity floods and droughts. Natural infrastructure can help ensure a reliable water supply, manage stormwater and wastewater, and reduce risks from extreme events.
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Natural infrastructure takes many forms—from wetlands to rain barrels, streams to aquifers—and protecting, restoring, enhancing, and building these features is a smart, proven path to a stronger, more water-resilient future across the Prairies.
How does natural infrastructure support water outcomes and solutions across the Canadian Prairies?
From flood, to drought, to water quality, this report investigates the performance and real-world application of natural infrastructure on the Prairies. By combining evidence with practical insights, the report equips practitioners, communities, and decision-makers with the knowledge needed to deliver nature-based solutions that truly work.
Find out how natural and constructed assets are helping protect against floods, improve water quality, and support water supply and drought mitigation, while simultaneously delivering social, economic, and environmental co-benefits.
Our research describes the key water-related benefits and performance of 17 types of natural infrastructure relevant to the Canadian Prairies. These include eight natural assets—both conserved and restored ecosystems—and nine constructed assets. The assets are organized into four functional families based on the shape (morphology) and position of natural infrastructure assets on the landscape and their role in water management, which includes:
- conserving and restoring vegetative cover,
- managing surface water with basins,
- protecting watercourses, and
- safeguarding groundwater recharge.
This report dives into which types of natural infrastructure work best within rural and urban landscapes and how they perform—unpacking the benefits of 17 types of natural infrastructure for Prairie water resilience, including grasslands, wetlands, riparian areas, aquifers, streambank bioengineering, soil cells, permeable pavements, and bioswales.
As Prairie water needs grow, natural infrastructure will need to complement conventional "grey" infrastructure, such as pipes and treatment plants, to support the delivery and enhancement of infrastructure services. This report provides practical guidance on specific natural infrastructure options that can support Prairie water needs, while boosting regional resilience.
Natural infrastructure takes many forms—from wetlands to bioswales, floodplains to aquifers—and protecting, restoring, and enhancing these features is a smart, proven path to a stronger, more water-resilient future across the Prairies.
This report was developed by IISD's Natural Infrastructure for Water Solutions (NIWS) initiative and the Alberta Low Impact Development Partnership (ALIDP).
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