[1] It is a corporate body, through which municipalities, landowners and other organizations work cooperatively to manage the Saugeen River watershed[2] and natural resources within it.
[3] The Saugeen Valley Conservation Authority was created with the intention of responding to problems of flooding on the river, and the effect it had on local communities.
In 1996, the Ontario provincial Conservative government of the day cut the Authority's budget by 70%, limiting its ability to monitor water run-off quality.
At the same time jobs were cut in the ministry responsible for assuring that water treatment facilities were kept in repair.
Camping facilities exist at Brucedale, Denny's Dam, Durham, McBeath, and Saugeen Bluffs Conservation Areas.