The Bow River Strategy is a 20-year guiding framework approved by Council on February 9th, 2026. The strategy helps ensure decisions along the Bow River are thoughtful, consistent and aligned with community values — today and into the future.
The Bow River is one of Cochrane’s defining natural features. It shapes our landscape, supports ecological health, and provides space for recreation, gathering, and connection. As our community grows and river use increases, it is important to have a clear, shared approach to how we steward and experience the river corridor.
Why the strategy matters
The Bow River corridor serves many purposes:
It supports wildlife habitat and watershed health.
It provides trails, gathering spaces, and places to explore.
It contributes to Cochrane’s identity and quality of life.
In recent years, increased recreation, growth pressures, and evolving community expectations have highlighted the need for shared direction.
The Bow River Strategy provides that direction by establishing:
Clear priorities for environmental protection and stewardship
Safe and equitable access for a growing community
A framework to reduce user conflicts and improve functionality
Opportunities for activation that reflect Cochrane’s character
Consistency in long-term planning and decision-making
Guiding principles
The Bow River Strategy is grounded in six guiding principles that shape how decisions are made along the corridor:
Protect the river’s natural value for today and future generations
Ensure there is a place for everyone at the river
Recognize the river as a vital corridor for community connection
Support the health of our diverse community
Create something special. Be bold.
Prioritize safety and functionality through proactive operations and maintenance
These principles provide a shared foundation that applies across the entire corridor, regardless of where or when future initiatives arise.
Corridor typologies that describe the character of different river areas
Priorities related to conservation, safety, access, and community experience
A phased implementation plan to guide action over a 20-year horizon
Performance measures to monitor progress and adapt over time
The strategy focuses first on shared principles and priorities before moving to site-specific decisions. This approach supports clarity, flexibility, and continuity across Council terms.
The Bow River Strategy informs how future land use, development proposals, and public investments within or adjacent to the corridor are considered.
It does not replace statutory plans or regulatory approvals. It does not approve specific projects.
Any future development will continue to follow established planning and approval processes, including technical review, public notification, and opportunities for community engagement.
The strategy provides additional clarity by identifying what must be considered — including environmental protection, safety, access, and long-term community objectives.
Final decisions will continue to be made by Council through formal processes.
The strategy includes a phased implementation plan outlining short, medium, and long-term actions.
Implementation focuses on:
Integrating priorities into annual work plans and budgeting
Aligning partnerships and funding opportunities
Monitoring progress and reporting annually to Council
Continuing engagement as specific initiatives move forward
The Bow River Strategy is a long-term guiding framework that establishes shared principles and priorities for how the Bow River corridor is stewarded, accessed, and experienced over the next 20 years.
No. The strategy does not approve specific developments, projects, or funding. Individual initiatives will continue to be brought forward through formal planning, budgeting, and Council decision-making processes.
Yes. Any future development or major initiative within or adjacent to the Bow River corridor will follow established statutory planning processes, including public notification and engagement opportunities.
No. The strategy does not amend bylaws or statutory plans. It provides guidance for decision-making and policy suggestions that Cochrane should consider.
The strategy was informed by workshops, surveys, open houses, advisory committee discussions, one-on-one stakeholder meetings, Community Association circulation, and Council workshops. More than 2,000 individuals were engaged during the process.
The implementation plan includes performance indicators and an annual reporting process to Council.
Experience from other municipalities shows that establishing shared principles early helps guide consistent decision-making over time and reduces the need to revisit foundational values with each new proposal.
